Amazosan
Part of things
The Stylin', profilin', limousine riding, jet flying, kiss-stealing, wheelin' dealin' son of a gun!
Posts: 188
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Nov 24, 2013 23:15:06 GMT
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In general, motorhomes have quite the bad rep; images of ungainly white van-based blobs crawling along at 20 mph on a country lane with a queue of frustrated traffic languishing behind. But there are pockets of cool within this housecoat of naffness; self-built housetrucks like the now-legendary Hino featured on RR and motorhomes using more unusual vehicles as a base. Like an American school bus. The vehicle is a Bluebird-bodied school bus based on the long-lived Chevrolet/GMC B-Series chassis, the type you'll see every morning in suburban America, but take one step inside and any notion of schoolkids waiting to pelt you with spitballs is thankfully dismissed. The man with the plan behind this grand design is Hank Butitta, a graduate architecture student from Minnesota in his final year who as a final project wanted to design a palpable project rather than one that existed purely on paper. This bus was not only the manifestation of that idea, but a solution to all of the bureaucracy surrounding building a small cabin on his grandfather 80 acre land plot of land. Hank takes up the story: 'The bus was purchased on Craigslist for $3000, and has had about $6000 of improvements. It’s not pocket change, but it’s less than a down payment on a home, and it’s less than I paid in tuition for my last semester of grad school. The majority of the work was completed in 15 weeks, just in time for my final review (although the first seven weeks were almost entirely design and prototyping, with the bulk of the construction completed in the last month and a half of the semester).' 'The even spacing of the window bays allow for the volume to be broken down into modular units of 28 inches square, leaving an aisle that is also 28 inches wide. The modular units are then grouped to create four primary zones: Bathroom, Kitchen, Seating, and Sleeping.' In addition to this great feat, he's on what he calls a 'month-long experience to test the functionality of the bus'; namely a 5,000 mile journey through different routes, picking up and dropping up friends and family on the way. He's documenting the journey on his website. One heck of a roadtrip.- Amazosan
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Nov 24, 2013 23:44:25 GMT
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So what licence would I need to drive a vehicle of that sort of size in the UK? (Maybe not exactly of this size, I think that rear overhang is probably longer than my entire car). We can address other issues (total lack of money, relative lack of skills) later on... I'm sure I'm not alone in having looked at yoeddynz's thread and thought "Man I'd love to do that". This is reinforcing that. Sure there's some detail I'm not so keen on, but it's such a great idea that I love seeing every example of it. The modularity of the interior is pretty smart too.
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Last Edit: Nov 24, 2013 23:45:29 GMT by Rich606
1989 Peugeot 205. You know, the one that was parked in a ditch on the campsite at RRG'17... the glass is always full. but the ratio of air to water may vary.
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So $6000 in materials and his lighting is so dim that he needs a head torch to cook dinner? That doesn't look like a very well thought out conversion to me.
I think his design is too focused on the minimalist aesthetic to be practical. It would undoubtedly be a fun road trip, but for me, I would rather do it in a car or on a motorbike. The money you save on fuel alone for the trip will probably pay for your accommodation all the way, let alone the cost of buying and converting the bus!
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kabman
Part of things
Posts: 348
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It would undoubtedly be a fun road trip, but for me, I would rather do it in a car or on a motorbike. The money you save on fuel alone for the trip will probably pay for your accommodation all the way, let alone the cost of buying and converting the bus! I think you've missed the whole origin of the conversion, this was his University architecture project. He's not Cliff Richard, just building a bus for a trip, the trip is a 'test' for the bus. The bus is a solution to his living situation.
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PHUQ
Part of things
Posts: 861
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Nov 25, 2013 10:13:44 GMT
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That has to be one of the least inspiring housebus interiors I've ever seen... In the interests of proving himself as an Interior Designer instead of merely someone who has designed an interior he's managed to completely remove any sense of character at all. Bus & coach conversions used to be relatively common over here with the New Age Travellers- with varying qualities of conversion & paintwork. Some of them were really quite spectacular, particuarly on external paintwork. Have a look at Traveller Homes for some examples of both how to and how not to do it! Not many interior shots in there, but I do like the fitout of the website owner's Albion lorry. Sadly most of today's travelling community seem to favour transit & caravan, which is much less interesting to the casual observer.
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Amazosan
Part of things
The Stylin', profilin', limousine riding, jet flying, kiss-stealing, wheelin' dealin' son of a gun!
Posts: 188
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Nov 25, 2013 11:33:07 GMT
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So $6000 in materials and his lighting is so dim that he needs a head torch to cook dinner? That doesn't look like a very well thought out conversion to me. I think his design is too focused on the minimalist aesthetic to be practical. It would undoubtedly be a fun road trip, but for me, I would rather do it in a car or on a motorbike. The money you save on fuel alone for the trip will probably pay for your accommodation all the way, let alone the cost of buying and converting the bus! I know what I'd rather cook or sleep in. I've always found it tricky to sleep on a motorbike. I think you've missed the whole origin of the conversion, this was his University architecture project. He's not Cliff Richard, just building a bus for a trip, the trip is a 'test' for the bus. The bus is a solution to his living situation. THIS. Did anyone else actually read why he built it?
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Last Edit: Nov 25, 2013 11:34:29 GMT by Amazosan
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Nov 25, 2013 11:58:55 GMT
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That worktop must be about 60 or 70 cm high and looks REALLY uncomfortable to use. You would think that an architecture student would.....you know.....know something about ergonomics?
As for the rest, I see an old bus painted grey, fitted with a plywood interior that is so minimalist he has successfully made it look like an unfinished 80's MFI kitchen.
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1986 Panda 4x4. 1990 Metro Sport. 1999 Ford Escort estate.
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Nov 25, 2013 12:00:13 GMT
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I know what I'd rather cook or sleep in. I've always found it tricky to sleep on a motorbike. Rather than argue, I will just offer this: And from our own parish: retrorides.proboards.com/thread/148345/grizzs-african-oddysey-report-startedwww.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?topic=106063.0Yes, I understand why he built it. As a student project it's awesome. I always dreamed of doing a design and build project at uni, but circumstances ended up forcing me to do a report-writing project for my final year and I hated it. This guy has built something that he can be proud of, which is fantastic. I just don't personally really like it.
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dazcapri
North East
Enter your message here...
Posts: 1,058
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Nov 25, 2013 16:53:38 GMT
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So what licence would I need to drive a vehicle of that sort of size in the UK? (Maybe not exactly of this size, I think that rear overhang is probably longer than my entire car). We can address other issues (total lack of money, relative lack of skills) later on... I'm sure I'm not alone in having looked at yoeddynz's thread and thought "Man I'd love to do that". This is reinforcing that. Sure there's some detail I'm not so keen on, but it's such a great idea that I love seeing every example of it. The modularity of the interior is pretty smart too. There was a double decker on George Clark's amazing spaces I'm sure he said that,without the seats,you can drive it on a car licence if you passed before 1997.A mate of mine has an old F10 Volvo he drives on a 7.5 ton licence just for shows and with the fifth wheel welded up so it can't actually pull a trailer anymore.
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Mk3 Capri LS
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Nov 25, 2013 17:41:54 GMT
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There was a double decker on George Clark's amazing spaces I'm sure he said that,without the seats,you can drive it on a car licence if you passed before 1997.A mate of mine has an old F10 Volvo he drives on a 7.5 ton licence just for shows and with the fifth wheel welded up so it can't actually pull a trailer anymore. Sadly I turned 13 in 1997 so that doesn't apply to me Also at 6'3", double deckers are a no-no. Two floors I can't stand up straight in for the price of one Big fan of George Clark's Amazing Spaces, it's roughly equal parts "that's a great idea" and "what the hell are they doing that for?" A bit like this one actually. As I said, there's some detail things I don't like, a lot of things I'd do differently, but some ideas I really do like, especially in the video. Colonelk, any progress on your elk box?
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Last Edit: Nov 25, 2013 17:47:17 GMT by Rich606
1989 Peugeot 205. You know, the one that was parked in a ditch on the campsite at RRG'17... the glass is always full. but the ratio of air to water may vary.
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PHUQ
Part of things
Posts: 861
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Nov 25, 2013 18:46:29 GMT
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Save your pennies and get a pre 1960 Rich, you are alright then!
Not sure what license exactly you need for a post 1960 "motorhome" if you are on a baby license, but you do definitely need something other than a car test sadly.
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MK2VR6
Posted a lot
Mk2 Golf GTi 90 Spec
Posts: 3,329
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Nov 25, 2013 19:35:47 GMT
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Colonelk
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,742
Club RR Member Number: 83
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Dec 18, 2013 13:39:28 GMT
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How did I miss this thread? (easy answer, I'm not on here often) Regarding the OP I can see some of the counter arguments, and yeah it needs a bit more thought but I like it as a whole. Rich, probably need something along the line of a C1 (7.5 ton) or C (more) license depending on how big you want to go. A week training course and test will set you back in the region of a grand, if you aren't taking your CPC (what you need to get paid for driving, don't need it for private use AFAIK). Its not an easy license to get IMHO, I had to try hard to get mine (written tests were easy, practical part.... bit harder! and I gelled with the gearbox straight away) StealthHausVan is sadly no longer going to happen. I dragged my heels, never had any money to do it and focused too much on getting the design perfect rather than actually building the thing then my other half and myself bought a house together and the needed evaporated. However, the base LT is currently being turned into a beavertail with any luck Id love to do one again, with a more gung-ho "just f-in build it" attitude. You never know, if Lisa kicks me out of the house.......
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Colonelk
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,742
Club RR Member Number: 83
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Dec 18, 2013 13:40:41 GMT
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Also, one thing people forget, is how much recovery costs on a truck...... LOTS. I don't know if there is an RAC equivalent for heavy vehicles.
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Dec 18, 2013 14:45:43 GMT
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Recovery IIRC isn't that much
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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Dec 18, 2013 17:27:58 GMT
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I love what he's done! Yes it could have more character, but it would have taken a year to do. Also if the practicality isn't as good as hoped, well he's testing the d*mn thing so he'll know soon enough...
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Dec 18, 2013 18:15:37 GMT
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If you passed your test before 1997,and the bus is over 30yrs old,then you can legally drive it on a car license. (as long of course that you are not actually loading it up with passengers ....)
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Dec 18, 2013 20:14:11 GMT
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" .A mate of mine has an old F10 Volvo he drives on a 7.5 ton licence just for shows and with the fifth wheel welded up so it can't actually pull a trailer anymore."
I was only wondering the other day ,whether that still existed or whether they'd done away with it. Good to hear that it is still legal.
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Todos con Lorca
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The guy looks like KFW's (younger!) American cousin.
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