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This Craigslist Bus Conversion Would Make A Great Full-Time Home

This post was updated on March 15th, 2024

Craigslist is a goldmine for RVers. You can find everything (yes, including the kitchen sink) plus a lot of used RVs, some good, some not so. From time to time you’ll come across a gem of a converted bus, like this 1995 Ford Thomas that was outfitted as a tiny house and would make a great platform for someone seeking a full time life on the road, or even looking to downsize their life.

This ’95 Ford Thomas is a great example of a well-done bus conversion.

Ford Thomas
Craigslist

The bus was outfitted with a Cummins Diesel and Allison transmission that could conceivably run a million miles, properly cared for of course. The interior was built out by professional contractors, aiming at a “house” feel, as opposed to a repurposed RV, and it seems they were fairly successful.

Interior facing rear, notice the storage in the back of the dining booth bench.

sitting area
Craigslist

The bus is laid out in well-defined, distinct spaces that are still open to each other, but make the space feel enormous. The cabinetry and woodwork is simple, but thought out. The entire bus is tied together with hardwood laminate in a cherry finish that creates a nice backdrop for the furnishings.

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This full sized couch converts to a bed for extra sleeping space.

full sized futon
Craigslist

One way to keep a conversion from feeling like an RV is to use as many “real world” amenities as possible. For example, rather than a small RV shower, this bus is outfitted with a full sized 32 inch square shower that might be right at home in a small bath in your own house. The kitchen sink is another place that RVs often short-change long term dwellers. This bus conversion has a full sized, double kitchen sink that makes washing dishes and other chores much easier.

Galley, featuring a full double sink and wainscot faced cabinets.

double kitchen sink
Craigslist

Much of the woodwork – and the cabinet faces – are covered in wainscot, which often feels traditional, if not old fashioned. Here the designer has made a subtle change that creates a much more modern feel by turning the line of the wainscot horizontal. A large scale dometic fridge is not quite house sized, but has ample room to stock groceries for full time residence. In addition, the three burner propane stove features enough room for full scale pots and pans.

The master bed, positioned near the exit, with disco ball and under bed batteries.

master bed
Craigslist
under bed batteries
Craigslist

To save space, the double bed houses the buses’ solar battery bank underneath the mattress. In the kitchen, the dining table is a booth style setup that makes the most of the available room, and the 32 inch flat screen TV is installed hanging from the ceiling to preserve counter and table space. Integrated spice racks and mason jar storage in the kitchen round out the space saving measures.

Another shot of the kitchen featuring spice racks and mason jar storage.

kitchen spice rack
Craigslist

In addition to the master bed, a full sized futon makes up the main seating arrangement, available for sleeping as needed. By using real window treatments, the normally obtrusive bus windows are reduced and made to feel homier than they often do in bus conversions. All in all, this owner got what they asked for, a home on wheels that feels as little like a bus as possible.

Beautiful wooden dinette booth with seating storage.

dinette
Craigslist



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