Many people prefer converted vans and skoolies over manufactured RVs because they feel more spacious and homey. However, conversions can prove to be very challenging and time-consuming, especially if you don’t have a lot of prior experience.
You may find it easier to hire a company like Paved To Pines to turn your dream bus or camper van into a reality. This Canadian company also has some helpful DIY tutorials on how to build out a conversion of your own.
The Doghouse. All photos courtesy of Paved To Pines
They recently finished The Doghouse, a 38-foot Thomas bus custom built with a kitchen, living area, bathroom, and bedroom. The owner’s profession as a firefighter inspired the bright red exterior color and the kitchen’s hydrant-style faucet.
Looking towards the kitchen.
The interior was designed very modernly with rustic touches. It features bright white walls and cabinets, a faux brick accent wall, and a stained pine tongue and groove roof.
The homey living area.
In the front of the bus, there is comfortable seating for about three or four people across from a 32″ TV and entertainment unit. It was also wired with a full Kenwood surround system including 8 speakers, dual amps, and a 10″ built-in subwoofer.
A gorgeous table to set down a coaster and a cup of coffee.
The dinette makes for a cozy place to eat, drink, or just sit and enjoy the views out the window. The dining table, as well as the kitchen’s bar top, were built from matching acacia wood. The kitchen was constructed with oak butcher block countertops and plenty of cabinets for storage.
Looking towards the front of the bus.
The kitchen’s large ceramic apron sink matches the hydrant-style faucet. The space was also furnished with a full-size propane oven and cooktop, and a Dometic fridge powered by shore power or propane gas.
The kitchen. We love the custom curtains in this build!
The bathroom has a full walk-in shower uniquely wrapped in white ceramic subway tiles. Across from the shower, they also added an RV flush toilet, a window, and storage space for toiletries.
Not your typical RV shower!
The bedroom houses a queen-size mattress and all of the RV utilities like the fresh water tank and hot water heater. The bus also sports a 200aH battery bank and 12V & Edison lighting.
The Doghouse bus is not the only amazing conversion from Paved To Pines. The company has also beautifully transformed other vehicles like a 40-foot Bluebird bus and a Dodge Ram Van. They just recently finished this bus conversion with a cozy living room surrounding a mini wood stove:
Another cozy bus from Paved To Pines.
The conversion process begins with you creating a wish list of what you would like included in the bus or van. They can then help guide you through the different options, set the budget, and customize the build to fit your specific needs.
Then, with a small deposit, they will schedule your build and begin designing a 3D floor plan. Lastly, they set the build into production and give you weekly updates until delivery.
What would be inside your dream bus or camper van?
Paved To Pines also offers a rental van with a cozy interior living space, and they will be launching a new rental van next year in Spring 2019. The rental vans can be picked up from their location in Saskatchewan, Canada.
If you’d like to build out your own bus/van, the company additionally has some useful online tutorials. They have tips on every step of the process from choosing a vehicle to adding plumbing and insulation. You can learn more about their custom builds, rentals, and tutorials on their website PavedToPines.com.
Looks Great!
I’ve done a school bus conversion myself [motor home], trying to find someone to insure it without getting gouged to death.
Any helpful info would be awesome, over $2200. a year for something I’ve used 8 times in two years is a bit much! At this rate I can’t afford to keep it which is a shame ’cause my brother and I have over 2200 hours in it in the past three summers.
I’m in Ontario
Thanks, Kevin