1999 Thomas International 3800 Skoolie

40’ DT446E and AT545, 217k miles

12-inch roof raise

Fully insulated floor, walls and ceiling

Custom cabinetry and beautiful live edge pine countertops

500 watt solar panels mounted

110v electric system runs off solar, engine, and shore power

LED ceiling lights

Fully functioning water system with sink and shower, and propane water heater

Two burner propane stove

7.1 cubic foot fridge

55 gallon fresh water tank, 37 gallon grey water tank

Separett composting toilet

Tempwood II wood burning stove backed by beautiful copper sheet

Queen bed with under bed storage, sofa turns into seven foot full size bed, dinette turns into 6 foot bed

Closet

Very spacious rear storage area

100% built, has been a full-time home for my family, you will feel the love!

1999 Thomas 3800 International 40’

The bus has a DT466E and an AT545 with about 217k miles, and a 12-inch roof raise.

The 12-inch roof raise is over the living quarters of the bus. This space is highlighted by live edge pine countertops, custom cabinetry, dinette, and pull-out couch. The entirety of the bus is trimmed out with varnished mahogany while the ceiling is trimmed with varnished oak. Every piece of this build was custom built with professional woodworkers, must of which was cut out on a CNC machine. There are professionally made custom stitched cushions on the dinette and pull-out couch. They are made with 4inch foam suitable for sitting and sleeping. Custom drapes were sewn to cover all the windows as well as door ways. The vinyl 6-inch floorboards are laid on an insulated vapor barrier underlayment to protect from water and noise. The walls and ceiling are spray foamed with three inches of closed cell foam. The entrance bus steps are trimmed with aluminum diamond plate.

The exterior sheet metal panels were sealed with industrial grade 3M marine adhesive sealant 4200 and/or welded. The roof was painted white to reflect heat, and the rest was painted Ford Blue with tractor enamel. A skylight replaces the emergency exit in the roof, still functional as an exit and allows for more natural light. 500 watts of solar are on the roof.

The bus has a 110v electrical system.

It is set up for 6 6v GC2 wired in series/parallel to provide 12 volts (each with a 20 amp hour rate of 215 minutes) with a 2000W inverter. Right now there are 2 6v GC2 batteries in place. There are 8 LED interior lights and 6 110V outlets. The water pump is hardwired in. The system also powers all exterior lights which consists of a 42in LED light bar above the windshield, 2 LED fog lights on the front bumper, and 2 additional LED reverse lights. The batteries can be charged 1 of two ways. An isolator switch connects the alternator to the batteries to charge while driving, and two 250-watt solar panels mounted on the roof. There is a 110v port in the external battery box to plug into shore power/generator.

The bus has a fully functioning water system.

It consists of a 55-gallon interior fresh water tank with an exterior fill port. This water is provided to the sink and full-size shower. The drains of both the sink and the shower drain into a 37-gallon grey water tank mounted externally underneath the bus. There is a propane insta-hot water heater that is plumbed to both the shower and the sink. The heater is mounted inside with the exhaust piped out. The sink has a pull out faucet in a deep sink. The shower and bathroom floor is fiberglassed and gelcoated to ensure waterproofing. Water pressure in the shower is amazing and gets hot quickly.

The bus has a separett composting toilet. Both the shower and toilet are in the bathroom, which sits above the wheel well between the kitchen and bedroom.

The heat source in the bus is a Tempwood II woodstove.

Mounted in the center of the bus, with the exhaust out the ceiling of the bus. The woodstove is mounted on tiles to protect from heat damage. The back wall behind the stove has half inch concrete board covered in copper sheet that runs up around the chimney on the roof. Fantastic heat retention and radiation. Short relatively straight chimney run creates great draft. The driver heaters remain as a heat source directly on the driver while moving. The stove taught me the art of building a fire and warms every nook and cranny.

Food cooking and storage.

The kitchen comes equipped with a two-burner propane stove top. In cold weather, the woodstove can make a great cooktop. There is a 7.1 cubic foot refrigerator/freezer in addition to a great deal of dry food storage underneath driver side counter top.

Goods Storage.

One large compartment above dashboard. Two  storage areas under the dinette seats.

In the kitchen area, there are 5 drawers and a spacious cabinet under one countertop. The freshwater tank is under the other countertop with sink and stove but has storage space for cleaning supplies, a garbage can, etc.

Storage under queen bed frame, and a cabinet at the end of the bed that can be accessed from above.

The rear 5 feet of the bus is walled off for additional storage, with its own entrance. It is a *significant* amount of storage!

Sleeping

Up front there is a seven foot couch that pulls out into a full size bed. The dinette table drops down into a smaller six foot bed. In the rear of the living quarters, there is a queen bed with under bed storage. You will need to provide your own mattress for the bed.

Clothing storage

There is closet space next to the bedroom and fridge.

Drivetrain

The DT466E is a great engine, and the exact reason that we purchased this bus. Virtually bulletproof engine. It was driven a little over 10k miles to get to California and had leaky injector cups, which were replaced, as were the coolant lines. After living in the bus full-time for two years and getting it ready for sale, I have replaced the booster pump and cam sensor. I have also changed out two tires and the fuel filter.

The bus reaches a top speed of about 75 mph but highway cruises around 55-60 mph, and gets about 8-10mpg (diesel). It has driven over many mountain passes including the Rockies. Slow and steady with no problems. Some surface rust on undercarriage. Routine fluid changes every 5k miles.