School buses have become a popular vehicle for camper conversion. Used models are often available, and their wide footprint provides endless layout possibilities. But small buses can be just as versatile and accommodating, and a new video from New Jersey Outdoor Adventures highlights its compact, feature-rich build.
The five-window vehicle, the Chevrolet, started life as a yellow school bus. The conversion required repainting and included installing a large roof deck. However, the unobtrusive white exterior hides a stunning interior with ample living area, large kitchen area, and small wet bathroom. The wooden ceiling even features special recessed lighting.
On one side is a dedicated kitchen and workspace. The bus has a three burner stove, oven, and a small fridge/freezer combination. It has two stacked sliding kitchens and extra storage under the sink. On the opposite side is a sofa that converts into a dining area that doubles as a second workspace. One side of the sofa has storage underneath, while the other side houses a diesel heater.
The full size bed sat sideways at the back of the bus. The interior side has a large sliding drawer underneath, while the garage under the bed can be accessed via the rear emergency exit. Storage cubes hang from the ceiling, and inner cubes between the bed and the clothes store wall.
A small wet bath is in progress, but comes with a composting toilet and shower. Slatted wood floors conceal floor drains, with a light/fan combination located on the ceiling. Ventilation is an important part of the van’s design, with special insect screens made for the windows, air conditioning unit and roof fan helping to circulate air throughout the bus. A slatted base for the bed prevents mold.
The small school bus camper conversion is perfect for two, with plenty of room to spread out, work and live. The bus comes packed with many of the features one would find in a larger mobile living room, with its compact size adding unique limitations to its build. People will continue to flock to school buses and turn them into living spaces.
