CABIN-STYLE SKOOLIE FOR SALE
Head into the wilderness with friends and enjoy the mobile cabin life in the Box Turtle Bus! This conversion sleeps 6 adults with large counters and deep sink, propane stovetop, on-demand water heater, biochar toilet, convertible couch, ac unit, cupboards, minifridge, and wood stove.
1990 International 3800
Engine: B180F 7.6 Liter DT466 Navistar International Turbo Diesel
Allison Manual Transmission
Registered + Tagged as a Motor Home in Pennsylvania
Only 102,000 miles.
My partner and I bought this bus a few years ago, hoping to live in it full time. Our dream was to work on farms, regenerating soil and sustainable systems, with a caravan of other earth-lovers. Here’s a link to the permaculture design project we created to support this idea.
We named it the Box Turtle Bus because we’re biomimicry nerds and loved the fact that box turtles have some of the strongest shells, which is another reason we bought a bus – they have the highest safety ratings of any vehicle on the road – they’re designed to carry children!
We have since found another place to live together, and have decided to put it up for sale. We’re hoping it ends up with someone who can really utilize it. It has been well maintained. We did a lot of research before settling on this particular year and model.
We wanted a mechanical engine, before the computerized systems that so many diesel mechanics warned us about, so we found it! We also wanted it to have an Allison transmission, and an engine that is capable of being converted to run well on biodiesel. This bus has all of that, and at 102,000 miles, is still just getting broken in. Mechanics say it will last many more decades.
This skoolie was designed and used like a mobile cabin for a group of friends before we bought it. When we got it home, we had a strict enhanced inspection done, getting it in tip-top shape, including all new tires – an important foundation for longevity.
Since then, we’ve kept it well maintained, taking it on short drives and local camping trips. It sleeps 6 people currently. There are two bunk beds with full size mattresses and a pull-out couch bed with comfy padding. We hope it finds a good home with you!
We jumped through all of the hoops to get this bus tagged as a motor home so that you don’t have to!
This skoolie has been insured by State Farm for about 4 years now. Getting skoolie insurance is another hurdle that many school bus owners struggle with. We did the work to get it insured as a motor home!
Full body length = 35’
Floor = 334” x 91”
Ceiling = 71.5”
# of windows = 22
Power
Electricity on the bus is run on an Interstate 8D-MHD Deep Cycle Battery.
Battery Details
- 1400 Cold Cranking Amps
- 450 Reserve Capacity
- 1750 Cranking Amps
Power converter
- 300W Peak DC to AC converter
Generator
- DG 3000 125v gas generator
Air conditioner
- Haier 5,200BTU window AC unit
On-demand water heater
- TCMT 6L 12KW Instant Gas Water Heater
Electric cooler box
- Coleman Powerchill 40 Quart Thermoelectric Cooler
Refrigerator
Stovetop
- Full size, four-burner tabletop stove, fueled by propane tanks that fit under the counter
Water pumps
- Amarine Made FLO – 2202 12V
- FloJet 12V Water System Pump
Toilet
The toilet is a DIY composting toilet – a framed out wooden box with toilet seat containing a bucket which is easy to remove from a hinged door. We will add a bucket of biochar for you to get started too. Biochar makes waste odorless, easy to remove, and bioavailable for building healthy soil.
Beds
There are 2 super sturdy bunk beds bolted to the bus frame – each with a full-size mattress. The couch also folds out to a full mattress-sized bed, and there is storage space under the couch as well. This bus was built for a group of friends to get into the woods to hunt and camp for days!
Penny table
This is a fun table/counter/bar top. It was made by the previous owner. It contains hundreds of pennies in resin and is easy to clean. There’s a game he created as well: 5 pennies are reversed – can you find them all?
Woodstove
Optional large woodstove can be included. There are cinderblock bricks installed in the flooring to mount this over.
T.V.
Wall mounted Vizio television, across from convertible couch (with storage under, turns into bed)
See the Box Turtle Bus in action:
See our bus tour video featured by @letsplayrideandseek on YouTube:
And watch this improvised film made for VidJam – a short film festival, using our bus as the main shooting location!
