2009 Chevy Express 3500 / Fully Converted

Perfect for a self sufficient off-grid cabin, or maybe an accessory dwelling unit, or future road trip adventures! So many possibilities!

Highlights include an amazing electrical system with a 1280w solar system, 600ah of Battleborn batteries, and a 3000w Victron inverter for all your off-grid power needs!

No need for propane as you’ll have plenty of power for the induction cooktop and electric water heater.

For cold winter nights, the bus is equipped with a diesel heater, and the walls/floor are all well insulated.

We purchased the bus in 2020, and converted it from a school bus to our home over the course of a year. We hit the road at the end of 2021, and explored both the East and West coast, and Canada & Mexico!

In spring of 2023 after exploring Baja, we parked the bus in Tucson to pursue job opportunities in Washington. We were initially planning to keep the bus as a vacation getaway and do more trips, but life/work had other plans! Rather than continuing to pay for storage, we’ve decided it is time to sell our beloved bus!

The bus: 2009, 23ft Chevy Collins body, on a Chevy G3500

Engine: Duramax 6.6 Turbo Diesel

Mileage: 177k

Electrical System: 

-1280W Renogy monocrystalline Solar

(4x320w panels)

-600Ah Battleborn Lithium Batteries

-Battleborn 3000w pure sine wave inverter. 

-WFCO AC/DC fuse/breaker distribution panel

-30amp power hook-up for RV parks. 

-Weboost Drive Reach cell signal booster

-back-up-camera

-4 LED light bars on the roof, one pointing in each direction controlled by small rocker panel by bed (super bright!)

Cooking/kitchen: 

-Cuisinart Induction single burner cooktop

-Iceco 60 Liter dual-zone chest fridge/freezer

-Stainless bar sink

Plumbing: 

-30 Gallon freshwater tank. 

-7 gallon under sink grey-water tank.

-Shurflo 12v water pump

-4 gallon Steibel electric hot water heater

-shower

-kitchen faucet

-Exterior Sprayer / faucet

-under sink water filter (next owner will want to shock the entire water system and replace the under sink filter as it has been sitting a while)

Other:

-Queen size IKEA Amosen bed (it was completely protected by a mattress protector since purchase)

-Natures head composting toilet

-Electric TV lift stand for a flatscreen tv (completely concealed in bed baseboard)

-dimmable two-zone LED lighting

-Maple butcher block counters 

-fully insulated floors/walls/ceiling

-lifeproof flooring

-convertible sofa/dinette

-spare tire with mounting point on roof

-all windows removed, insulated, and resealed in 2021 during build

Spares/Other

-7 glow plugs

-6 ton bottlejack

-3 ton jackstand set

-basic OBD code reader

-Duralast Gold ceramic brake pads

-Pittsburg grease gun

-wheel chocks

-recovery strap rated for 25-40k lb recovery

-100ft 12awg extension cord

-30amp rated pigtail and power cord for rv parks

Heating/cooling:

-Vevor Diesel Heater

-Two Fan-tastic Ceiling fans, one at the front and one at the back of the bus (no AC)

Maintenance/Mechanical history

-regular oil/filter changes every 3-4k miles

Before we hit the road we took the bus to Todd’s Auto Repair in Beverly MA in 10/21 at 163k miles. We had them inspect and replace anything of potential concern before we hit the road.

Work done:

-replaced lower engine oil pan and gasket

-transmission fluid flush and filter change

-replaced the rear shocks

-replaced steering gear box

-replaced rear disc brake pads, brake rotors, brake calipers, axle seals

-replaced the emergency brake shoes and mounting bracket plates

-replaced rear emergency brake cables

-replaced the starter

October of 2022 we had some issues with the Hydroboost power steering pump so we had work done at Coast Diesel and Automotive Repair LLC in Reedsport Oregon. Also had them replace a squeaky belt/pulley.

Work done:

-Power Steering Pump

-Serpentine Belt

-2x idler pulleys

-Brake Power Booster

-Brake Master Cylinder

November 2022, we replaced an O2 sensor, and one of the glow plugs ourselves.

January of 2023 the seal on hydroboost pump started leaking while in Baja Mexico. A local mechanic in La Paz rebuilt the component and got us back on the road.

March of 2023 we got stuck in some sand in Baja and while being pulled out, one of the rear right leaf-spring shackles snapped. Had the shackle welded back together at Llantas y Servicios Rallo Mechanic in San Felipe Baja.

April of 2023, before putting the bus in storage we had two incidents where the whole bus started to shake after hitting a pothole. We are not sure if perhaps the alignment or suspension might have been thrown off when the rear shackle snapped in Baja, or if it has something to do with the braking. We spoke to several mechanics in the area and they were all booked out for several weeks at the time.

We didn’t have the time to wait to get it repaired as we needed to start working again. The bus runs great otherwise, but due to safety concerns, we would deem the bus unroadworthy until the issue is addressed.

After finally deciding to sell, we went down to Tucson 9/24 to check everything over, and take photos! Having sat in covered storage since last year, the two starter batteries were both dead. We went ahead and put two brand new starter batteries in ($400 value) and the bus started right up!

Registration details:

Passed MA vehicle inspection 12/21

-Was registered/titled as a motorhome in MA initially after the build

-Was re-registered and titled as a motorhome in WA when we changed residence. It is currently registered/plated for WA state.

-We own it outright, no liens on it

-We have had the bus insured as a motorhome since the conversion.

If you are interested or have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Bus is located in Tucson!