The "Bandit" Is a School Bus Transformed Into a Snug, Western-Themed Tiny Home on Wheels

If you're based in the United States, I'd suggest you consider a school bus for a camper conversion. I won't go into detail regarding why you would choose a skoolie over a camper van, but you can read more about that in an article I wrote not too long ago.

Meet Brooke and Kade, a couple traveling full-time in "Bandit," their converted International 1800 Thomas Built bus. This rig measures 23 feet (7 meters) in length and sports a DT466E, generally considered a very reliable engine. There are plenty of options when it comes to base vehicles for skoolie conversions.

Since they were complete beginners and only worked on the conversion during the weekends, it took the duo about two and a half years to complete the project. Naturally, they made a few mistakes, but the bus turned out amazing, as you'll soon see.

Like always, I'll start the tour with the exterior. I love that Brooke and Kade went all-in with the farmhouse/western theme. For instance, they added a bullhorn on the vehicle's hood.

On the passenger side, they added a flip-down table for whenever they want to enjoy a drink or a meal outside.

As two women on the road, safety is a critical issue - it never hurts to have measures in place to decrease the risk of ill-intended people breaking into your mobile home.

So, they installed a camera system that has two-way audio, meaning they can use speakers to speak to anyone outside the rig. A sticker at the top of the entrance says, "Smile, you're on camera," to make sure people are aware of the cameras. What's more, worse comes to worst, they have pepper spray right above the door, but hopefully, they won't need to use it.

At the rear, you'll find a ladder and a motorcycle rack. They made a mistake by not taking into account that the bus's exhaust blew right on the motorcycle's rear tire. Well, actually, they thought about it but were assured by someone else that it wouldn't be a problem. Unfortunately, they listened, and it led to part of the tire melting.

A rear door can be opened for extra circulation. It leads into the bedroom, which has a garage underneath. There, you'll find helmets, camping gear, and various other items.

That's it regarding the exterior, so let's step inside. By the door, Brooke and Kade added a shoe storage spot. They left most of the driver's cabin as it was when they bought the vehicle. One modification that perfectly fits the Western theme is a hidden upholstered driver's seat.

Brooke and Kade managed to nail this aesthetic partly due to using old, recycled materials. For example, they got a 200-year-old barn door from Brooke's family farm and used it as a bathroom door. Furthermore, you'll notice an open layout, meaning the driver's cabin isn't separated from the living space, and you can see to the very rear of the interior from the front.

Walk deeper into the bus, and you'll be next to the dinette area. It consists of two benches with a table between them. Like in many other bus conversions, the dinette can be turned into an extra bed to accommodate guests.

On the opposite side, you'll discover a tiny wood stove with storage underneath. Next to it, the couple added a decently sized counter with a beautiful live-edge countertop and storage spaces under it.

Next, a no-frills kitchen is located on the driver's side of the interior. It features a deep stainless steel sink, a tiny, cute oven/two-burner stove combo, and a DC-powered fridge/freezer.

I'm really fond of the bathroom's looks. Brooke and Kade opted for a concrete floor and walls, which they made using Quikrete. The bathroom boasts a shower, a window, and a toilet.

Finally, we have the bedroom at the very rear of the interior. It has a hanging closet with a mirror right beside it, a bed with two drawers underneath, two cabinets at the foot of the bed, a swivel fan, and a wall-mounted stuffed jackalope.

Regarding the power system, this rig is equipped with two 200 Ah lithium batteries, a 60-amp solar charge controller connected to 800 W solar panels, and an inverter, among other components. For plumbing, the skoolie has a 40-gallon (151-liter) freshwater tank and a 30-gallon (114-liter) greywater tank. Other notable utility features are two Maxxair fans and an A/C in the closet.

All in all, despite being their first-ever camper project, Brooke and Kade managed to build a well-equipped and aesthetically pleasing tiny home on wheels. They didn't share how much it all cost, but I'm pretty sure it was a budget-friendly build.