Making Ready for the First Trip!
With our first trip just around the corner, we’ve been tying up loose ends and tackling a wide range of projects—from sleeping arrangements and storage solutions to plumbing fixes and safety upgrades. It’s been a busy stretch, but the transformation is starting to feel complete. Here’s a full update on everything we accomplished this month as we prepare the bus for its maiden journey.
The mattress finally went in back in September, and with that checked off the list, we stumbled into our next challenge: how do the adults get into the top bunk without blocking the girls’ bunks?
After some brainstorming (and a few comical climbing attempts), we landed on the perfect fix—a foldable, movable ladder. It flips up, flips down, and M can even slide it aside from her bunk when she wants more room. Our first prototype was… functional-ish. But after reinforcing the hinges, we officially have a stable, non-cartoon-collapse ladder.
Cushions, Conversions, and Cozy Spaces
While we were engineering our sleeping setup, C was deep into cushion-making mode. She created seat and back cushions that transform:
- the small booth into a couch
- the big booth into an extra bed
Thanks to her, the bus now adjusts to whatever we need—lounging, dining, or squeezing in one more sleeper.
Dog Security & Added Privacy
Next, we installed a gate for the dog area so our furry friend can’t roam freely while we’re driving.
We also added blinds in the bathroom and the front window. Now we can park without giving the outside world a full view of our daily life.
The Great Waterline Mystery
Every project has that moment, and ours came when we hooked up the outside water line and spotted a mysterious drip under the bus. Not ideal.
Luckily, most of the water system is accessible from the inside. After opening the supply area, we found the culprit: a cheap plastic input that had decided its time on Earth was over.
M and I swapped it out for a metal input, hunted down all the right connectors, rebuilt everything, and—victory—no more leaks.
Tank Sensors That Actually Work
One of the tank sensors wasn’t responding. After testing, we confirmed it had failed and ordered a replacement. Now we can confidently tell when our tanks are empty or on the brink of overflowing. That peace of mind is priceless.
Kitchen Upgrades
The kitchen got a little love too:
- Added a pull-out trash can
- Built more storage
- Left one small under-counter section open for now
We want to take a couple of trips before giving that last space its forever purpose.
Safety, Checklists & The Final Steps
Seat belts are officially installed—huge sigh of relief there.
We started a master checklist booklet to avoid driving off with open hatches, swinging doors, or surprise escapees from drawers and cabinets.
And since our last oil and filter change was in 2022 (yes, this project really has been going that long), that’s scheduled for this coming weekend.
Almost Road-Ready!
Once the oil change is done, we’re officially ready to hit the road. After all this work, it finally feels real—and we can’t wait for that first trip! 🚐✨