2006 Chevy Express Fully Converted Skoolie

VERY motivated to sell!! We are moving and unfortunately the bus can’t come with us.

Summary

• Fully converted off grid mobile camper/tiny home/ skoolie
• Extremely easy to drive and maneuver, this is a great starter vehicle for those new to life on the road
• Runs like a champ!  We have traveled across the country and back in the past 3 months.  Highly sought after diesel engine built for 300K+ Miles
• Wood stove that keeps us warm in the cold weather locations (slept in 20-degree weather at the Grand Canyon in November)
• Excellent interior light (5 windows on each side and back) – ceiling hatch and rear door with custom-built screens great for the warmer weather days!
• Magnetic curtains, made for quick and easy adjustment; windows tinted for additional privacy
• Passenger-side door replaced with 3-hinge house-door (with large window to eliminate blind spots); deadbolt and chain lock for additional security
• Pull out sofa bed that comfortably sleeps 2 (with a four legged friend!)
• Passenger seat belt bolted into base of sofa bed for comfortable and secure second seat
• Custom built kitchen and cabinets with an incredible amount of overhead storage 
• Custom collapsible dinette table – easy to fold when traveling.  Dual purpose desk space. Second desk area conveniently built into cabinetry
• Built-in closet with space to bring more than enough clothing for minimalist travelers
• Life proof wood flooring; well insulated and easy to keep clean
• Solar system, compost toilet, and manual water system well suited for off-grid, low impact, sustainable living!
• Large kitchen counter space and Dometic fridge – supplies 5+ days of meals; great for cooking on with small propane portable stove 
• Exterior mounted “weBoost” cell phone signal booster – able to support two full time employees working remotely via hotspot

Video Walkthough

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6SEo08tbS8

Vehicle

• 2006 Chevrolet Express 3500 with 166K Miles
• 2WD 6.6L Turbo Duramax Diesel, V8 (403 CID)
• 24ft x 8ft x 13ft (LxWxH) registered camper
• Recent work completed:
  • New fuel pump, fuel lines, and fuel filter
  • New fuel tank straps
  • New serpentine belt 
  • New car battery
  • Recently flushed brake, power steering, rear differential fluids
  • Recently replaced front brake lines
  • Oil changed at 165K miles
  • New horn
  • Brand new front tires
• Some rust/ corrosion in the undercarriage – rear brake lines will likely need attention in the future
• Security light on; does not impact engine start up or vehicle running.  Recently got bus inspected and the mechanic said there is no issue and it is just a quirk of a well-loved bus. 

Electrical

• 12V Solar system completed by a professional licensed electrician!  We found the work a bit too intimidating for a complete DIY solution, so we paid to have it done
• Solar
  • 2 Renogy High Efficiency Monocrystalline panels 
  • Wired in parallel
  • 12V/ 100W per panel
• Controller 
  • Windy Nation P30L LCD Solar Charge controller
• Battery Bank (batteries need to be replaced for electrical work. these were old batteries and have expired while in storage. See video walk through for proof of functioning electric!)
  • 3 Bright Way Group Sealed Lead Acid batteries
  • Wired in parallel 
  • 12V; 100 AH per battery 
• Inverter
  • Samlex PSE-12175A 1750W, 12V Modified Sine Inverter
• Utilities
  • Batteries charged via solar panels
  • Powers 3 outlets (one with USB outlets), cabin lights with dimmers, 12V dometic refrigerator, toilet vent fan, and cell phone signal booster
  • Puck lights with remote switch on battery power

Plumbing

• Very simple and designed to be extensible!  We intentionally decoupled the water system from the electrical system for less dependence on the solar panels (which was great for consecutive cloudy weather days). 

• Fresh/ Gray Water System
  • Exterior fresh water fill inlet with air vent
  • 25 Gallon Class-A-Customs fresh water tank; secured with wood frame and 1,500 lb ratchet strap underneath bed frame (still leaves room for additional storage under the bed!)
  • High quality PEX water line with brass stop valve
  • Manual cast iron pitcher pump mounted to countertop
  • 5 Gallon gray water removable bucket underneath sink 
• Black Water System
  • Sun-Mar GTG Composting Toilet; waterless connection with separate liquid and solid waste chambers (we typically stayed in locations with restrooms so the solid waste chamber has never been used and is waiting for brand new owners!); small vent fan to exterior outlet to eliminate toilet odors.