1997 Chevy Express Short Bus (Finished Skoolie)

Hello! My name is Sean and I am looking for someone to adopt my skoolie (“Skippy”). I have had it since 2015, purchased from Portland School District.

It is a Collins short bus built on a 1997 Chevy Express 3500 chassis with dual axles. It took about 5 years to reach its current state. It took an extensive amount of blood, sweat and tears to convert this bus, but the payoff has been 100% worth it! Skippy and I have had the privilege traveling all over the Pacific Northwest ranging from Central Oregon, the Olympic Peninsula, San Juan Islands, PNW Coast, and the Cascade and Coast ranges.

Personal circumstances have limited my ability to utilize Skippy to the extent that it deserves. I have been unable to travel with Skippy for approximately 3 years, and I want to find someone to whom I can “pass the torch,” so to speak; someone who is serious about taking care of Skippy with the same level of love and passion that I have.

Features which set Skippy apart from other skoolie conversions include an extensive 1.2 kW solar system (keeps the battery bank fully charged 11-12 months per year in the PNW) and a custom-installed dual fuel system which runs on both gasoline and LPG (propane). For a detailed list of features, please see below. If you are interested in buying, scheduling a tour, or more info please reply directly to this ad. I live in Tigard, OR (~10 miles southwest of Portland).

Vehicle Description/Features

• 1997 Chevy Express G3500 cutaway chassis w/ dually axles (Collins schoolbus)
• 5.7 L V8 Engine
• Dual fuel system : Can run on either gasoline or propane!
• ~30 gallon gasoline tank
• ~20 gallon propane tank
• Total mileage: ~149,000 miles
• LPG (propane) tank also connects to internal appliances
• LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery bank (12V/200 amp-hours) (Connected to alternator, solar system and inverter)
• Automatic tire chains

Solar/Electrical

• 1.2 kW solar system
• Four horizontally-fixed 60-cell monocrystalline panels (300W each)
• Magnum Energy PT-100 100A MPPT Solar Charge Controller
• WZRELB 3000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter (12VDC to 120VAC)
• 30A cable and inlet for connecting to shore/generator power
• Four 120VAC standard outlets
• Honda EU2200i 2200-Watt 120-Volt Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator (Adapted to run on gasoline, LPG or natural gas using Hutch Mountain Trifuel generator conversion kit; regulator included)
• Heavy Duty WiFi Signal Booster/Repeater/Wireless Range Extender (Very useful for accessing wifi remotely using ISP hotspot services)

Water/Plumbing

• Large basin stainless steel sink
• 42 Gallon Freshwater tank
• ShurFlo Industrial pump (198 GPH/120VAC) w/ debris filter
• Shower w/ propane-powered tankless water heater
• Nature’s Head removable composting toilet w/ exhaust fan

Heating/Cooling

• Camco Olympian Wave-8 Catalytic Propane Heater (4200-8000 BTU)

• MaxxAir MaxxFan Roof Fan (Dual flow)

• Louvered exhaust vent for portable AC hookup

Miscellaneous

• Dresser and shelves

• Extendable couch/bed (fits a full size mattress or smaller)

• Kitchen cabinets with tile countertops

• Pine tongue and groove walls with decorative plywood ceiling

• Window covers for weatherproofing

• Mini-refrigerator

• Propane stove

• Hitch mount cargo carrier