Community Forums

arggonuts · 05-02-2023, 03:59 PM

Hello all - First post, but I've been browsing through the bus related forums for the past couple months trying to figure out how crazy I am. I usually find someone who's already done it successfully, but I haven't found much about this.

I'm planning on going full-time RV for my next duty station. I'm also strongly considering an older (read affordable) Prevost or MCI. Either picking up one in-progress for a steal, or a gutted one and "camping" in it as I convert it.

I have the tools, experience, and ability to build and (mostly) maintain the bus myself, so I'm not worried about the actual successful execution of my plan.

The sticking point is if this is utter taboo in the community, particularly of long-term parks. I guess I could consider a mobile home park which would likely have lower standards, but an actual RV park would be what makes the "camping" portion work, i.e. showers, toilets, etc. while I work on those.

l1v3fr33ord1 · 05-02-2023, 05:30 PM

arggonuts-

Welcome to iRV2!

Some RV parks have rules against "maintenance" while in a site. I've stayed at a few with those rules, and for the most part they are enforced, albeit unevenly. My personal opinion is that I wouldn't want to be next to a renovation project.

That said, I expect you can find parks that will allow you to do what you want.

arggonuts · 05-02-2023, 07:19 PM

Mark - Thanks for the term "maintenance" as I expect it may be better received than outright construction. I had planned to section off a living section and a working section inside the bus during overhaul and do as much work as possible inside, but I imagine that will still be loud enough for generator hours.

Ray,IN · 05-30-2023, 07:18 PM

You used the term "duty station" are you active military? If so many others live in a RV at the base famcamp. In fact, TDY has priority.
It's been my experience when an RV parks says no working on RV's they mean oil changes, mechanical work to the chassis, or other exterior work.
IMO what happens inside your RV is your business-well as long as its legal.

TucsonAZ · 07-25-2023, 04:59 AM

Older post but I do want to add something. Firstly, if you go with a "coach" like a MCI or Prevost over a "bus" like a Bluebird you're going to find your parts are an order of magnitude more costly. It will seem like a fine idea initially but the maintenance will eat you alive. Something like a Bluebird will get you 80% of the way there at 20% of the cost.

As for working on it, just rent an RV space from a local.

Captain8 · 10-03-2023, 02:17 PM

I'm doing something similar with my Prevost as I'm renovating it slowly and still using it. I have a house so most of the renovation happens when at home but at CGs I'm still tinkering with things.

I've found no one sees or cares how the inside looks. I've had my ceiling off for almost 2 months and plenty of CGs with not a single question. I don't feel comfortable doing repairs while at a CG. Its full of people trying to relax and sitting outside around a campfire just watching everything that happens.

I'd think if you're making noises or obvious you're repairing things then someone's going to complain and something will happen. But I'm sure you can find a local shop or some lot somewhere that you can drive it to while doing repairs then drive it back. At a minimum you'll get 50 people asking if you need help.