The Fully-Equipped Sundance Bus Is a Cozy Tiny Home on Wheels for a Family of Four

The couple lives and travels in a converted Internation 3800 school bus with their 2-year-old and 4-year-old kids. Much work had to be done to transform this vehicle into a fully-equipped home on wheels, and Chris and Dena have thought about everything. Without further ado, let's take a look at their skoolie.

One of the first things you'll notice is that the Sundance Bus features a sizeable loft area, something you'd typically see on motorhomes. It's located directly above the driver's cabin, and the duo installed small windows, a bed, and a net that prevents their kids from falling. Furthermore, the roof was raised by 16 inches (41 centimeters), making the interior much more spacious.

The driver's cabin has been modified to offer extra storage space via a large countertop and some cabinets. There's also a tiny fan, as well as blinds for the windshield.

The next part of the interior is the kitchen/ living room. There's an overhead cabinet housing a Spinn coffee maker near the driver's seat. It can even be activated via Bluetooth, so the couple can start preparing coffee before they get out of bed.

I was surprised by the kitchen's massive size and its cleverly designed layout and features. You'll notice a gigantic countertop integrating the largest sink you've probably seen inside a tiny home on wheels, covered by a butcher's block. Funnily enough, it can fit both of the couple's kids, making it the perfect spot where the couple can wash them.

I always like when people find multiple purposes for their spaces/ equipment. In this case, the butcher's block also serves as a workspace for Dena for sewing her creations. What's more, the sink cover can be removed and instead used as a table.

Other notable kitchen features are a bunch of storage spaces, a pull-out table for extra counter space, a decently sized oven with a four-burner stovetop, a shelf, an apartment-size fridge/ freezer, and a massive pantry.

The exit door used to be integrated into the wall behind the oven. Chris and Dena repurposed it into a hatch with an electric opening mechanism. It's useful to circulate the air inside, especially when cooking.

Opposite the kitchen space, you'll discover a couch, which Dena created. The cushions are made from a Tempur-Pedic foam piece with extra wool batting. A nice and practical touch is that the couch's cases are made out of denim, which is durable and can be easily washed. Above the couch, you'll find three large cabinets.

Moving deeper into the school bus, you'll notice some cool design touches. For instance, there's a sizeable floor-to-ceiling cabinet with a gold mirror finish. Inside, you'll find a medicine cabinet and the electrical and plumbing systems.

Tight beside sits the "statement piece" of the interior, the bathroom door. It's covered in a beautiful geode splice, which is, in fact, a wallpaper. The bathroom is separated into two tiny spaces - one integrates a toilet and a small mirror, while the other serves as a shower space, beautifully covered in faux concrete. My favorite part of the bathroom is a vintage porthole that actually used to be on a ship.

And lastly, we have the bedroom at the rear of the school. It features a double bed with windows on both sides and a mini-split for days with extreme temperatures. Moreover, a hidden TV sits on an actuator and can be lifted at the touch of a button.

Let's also take a look at the bus's exterior. Chris and Dena replaced the bus's original pneumatic opening door with a simpler RV door complete with a keypad lock. The couple opted for single-pane windows, but Chris says they'd spend the extra money on double-pane windows if they were to do it again.

You'll discover a rear door leading to a tiny garage, a ladder, and a mount for two propane tanks at the bus's rear. On the roof, 600 W solar panels are connected to 500 Ah batteries inside the bus. Underneath the bus, the duo mounted a 40-gallon (151-liter) grey tank and a colossal 100-gallon (379-liter) freshwater tank.

It took Chris and Dena about a year to build their home on wheels. Even though this looks like a premium, pricey build, the couple didn't spend a humongous amount on the Sundance Bus. They estimated the total price at around $40,000 (€37,802). Although that might sound like a lot, keep in mind there are vans with double the price and even more.

The couple can't take the bus everywhere due to its size. They started exploring in a Jeep Wrangler and built the bus after their family grew. They couldn't let go of the Jeep, so nowadays, they just tow it behind the bus. It's handy when they want to explore deeper into the wilderness or when they need to take shorter rides.

Chris and Dena said that living on the road has completely changed their dynamics, leading to more growth in their relationship. It also makes them feel much more present in their day-to-day life. While it won't work the same for everyone, it's a lifestyle worth trying if the thought has crossed your mind.