Anxiety
7 May 2010
Now that we have bought our chassis, the commitment to our lifestyle change is much more real. Changing our minds has suddenly become much harder and we are beset with questions. Have we really got any idea what we're doing? How are we going to make a living? Will we be able to do everything we want to make the bus our home?
I think the technical term for this state of mind is freak out.
There are times in projects like this when you just have to let blind faith carry you through. All the reasons for making the decision in the first place are still there, just a little buried under the panic.
Now that we have bought our chassis, the commitment to our lifestyle change is much more real. Changing our minds has suddenly become much harder and we are beset with questions. Have we really got any idea what we're doing? How are we going to make a living? Will we be able to do everything we want to make the bus our home?
I think the technical term for this state of mind is freak out.
There are times in projects like this when you just have to let blind faith carry you through. All the reasons for making the decision in the first place are still there, just a little buried under the panic.
Buying the bus
26 April 2010
Finding a suitable bus to convert has become more difficult in the last few years - the changes in the emission laws means rising prices for the secondhand buses imported from Asia.
We'd already had a good look around, and now the Bus Boy Co did some research as well. We needed a 9m bus, with a middle door and didn't want the mileage to be huge - preferably under 250,000km. If that seems a lot - these things are designed for over 1 million km! It was also important to avoid a 'city bus'. These have low ratio differentials and are used for short trips with lots of stopping and starting; hopeless on the open road.
The shortlist basically came down to three - two in the South Island at over $50,000, and one in the North Island just under $40,000.
As luck would have it, the North Island bus was in Taupo - the same place the conversion would take place. It had already been stripped out as the owner planned to convert it, which made it much easier to check out. It needed work to the compressor and shocks, so in the end we paid $33,000.
So, now we have a bus AND a builder. And the fun was just beginning.
Heck, that was quick
19 April, 2010
In the last 10 days we have:
had an initial phone call with The BBC and sent them an email brief of our wish list,
received some initial layout thoughts from them,
met Shelly and Paul on a phone conference,
driven to Taupo to meet them and refine the layout some more,
paid the deposit for our bus conversion.
Now we just have to find a chassis to build it on.
In the last 10 days we have:
had an initial phone call with The BBC and sent them an email brief of our wish list,
received some initial layout thoughts from them,
met Shelly and Paul on a phone conference,
driven to Taupo to meet them and refine the layout some more,
paid the deposit for our bus conversion.
Now we just have to find a chassis to build it on.
How to find a bus builder
April 2010
As part of our somewhat obsessive need to research, we already knew the names of almost all the motorhome builders in New Zealand. We'd scoured their websites, familiarised ourselves with their style and really just couldn't work out what to do next.
Then in one of those alignments of the planets, a couple of ads appeared on TradeMe. We'd already looked at the website for this company, but these ads added an extra dimension - price. They showed recent conversions and how much they had cost (based on a certain chassis price).
We now knew this was something within our reach - we could afford to have a custom build done.
And then it really was as simple as a phone call. We had begun our association with Paul, Shelly and The Bus Boy Company.
As part of our somewhat obsessive need to research, we already knew the names of almost all the motorhome builders in New Zealand. We'd scoured their websites, familiarised ourselves with their style and really just couldn't work out what to do next.
Then in one of those alignments of the planets, a couple of ads appeared on TradeMe. We'd already looked at the website for this company, but these ads added an extra dimension - price. They showed recent conversions and how much they had cost (based on a certain chassis price).
We now knew this was something within our reach - we could afford to have a custom build done.
And then it really was as simple as a phone call. We had begun our association with Paul, Shelly and The Bus Boy Company.
A bit low
April 2010
The search became a little discouraging now. We felt we could end up in our own Groundhog Day hell - constantly travelling the country in search of just the right bus; constantly being disappointed.
Compromise was discussed - do we just buy the best we can find and then either put up with it or spend money to make it right. But neither of us are the sort to 'put up' with something and having to spend more money on an already expensive purchase wasn't sitting well with us.
And as if we needed any more pressure, I resigned from my job. My finishing date was almost four months away, but that was going to change the income picture substantially.
What we were really trying not to think about now was 'Are we going to have to have one built?'.
And the reason we were avoiding that thought?
Basically, it scared us shitless.
The search became a little discouraging now. We felt we could end up in our own Groundhog Day hell - constantly travelling the country in search of just the right bus; constantly being disappointed.
Compromise was discussed - do we just buy the best we can find and then either put up with it or spend money to make it right. But neither of us are the sort to 'put up' with something and having to spend more money on an already expensive purchase wasn't sitting well with us.
And as if we needed any more pressure, I resigned from my job. My finishing date was almost four months away, but that was going to change the income picture substantially.
What we were really trying not to think about now was 'Are we going to have to have one built?'.
And the reason we were avoiding that thought?
Basically, it scared us shitless.
Size does matter
March 2010
It feels like we looked at hundreds of buses. We certainly looked at hundreds of on-line ads. In reality, though, we looked at three buses. And one American motorhome. Two of them were local and we drove over 1800km during Easter to view the other two.
There was a 12m bus with a slideout. Beautifully spacious, rather tired looking and, well, just BIG. We couldn't even picture ourselves driving it down the road and got the shakes at the thought of some of our New Zealand roads. This helped us decide that in this case bigger wasn't really better.
The American motorhome had been substantially refurbished when it arrived in New Zealand. The owners had got rid of that over-upholstered, over-decorated look most of these vehicles have, and made sure it was well fitted out for living off the grid. But this was BIG too. It just took up so much damned space. And once again was rather tired and a lot of money for something distinctly secondhand.
We looked at a new conversion, professionally done. Laid out with plenty of thought, well appointed and very comfortable. But somehow not quite right. This took us a while to put our collective finger on - the build just wasn't robust enough. When you're going to live in something permanently, it needs to be able to take the knocks. There's a big difference between that and building for a weekender.
And then we looked at what we called The Whangarei Bus. This one almost stole our hearts. I guess you'd call it a 'home build', but that label just doesn't do it justice. The guy was a boatbuilder and a real craftsman. Beautiful cabinetry, plenty of storage and all the gadgets we desired. But again something wasn't right. This time it was a very poky lounge. And the stove was right next to the white upholstered lounge with no splash guard. I had visions of my homemade pasta sauce splashed all over that in the first week. I may be a good cook, but no-one ever accused me of being a tidy one.
It feels like we looked at hundreds of buses. We certainly looked at hundreds of on-line ads. In reality, though, we looked at three buses. And one American motorhome. Two of them were local and we drove over 1800km during Easter to view the other two.
There was a 12m bus with a slideout. Beautifully spacious, rather tired looking and, well, just BIG. We couldn't even picture ourselves driving it down the road and got the shakes at the thought of some of our New Zealand roads. This helped us decide that in this case bigger wasn't really better.
The American motorhome had been substantially refurbished when it arrived in New Zealand. The owners had got rid of that over-upholstered, over-decorated look most of these vehicles have, and made sure it was well fitted out for living off the grid. But this was BIG too. It just took up so much damned space. And once again was rather tired and a lot of money for something distinctly secondhand.
We looked at a new conversion, professionally done. Laid out with plenty of thought, well appointed and very comfortable. But somehow not quite right. This took us a while to put our collective finger on - the build just wasn't robust enough. When you're going to live in something permanently, it needs to be able to take the knocks. There's a big difference between that and building for a weekender.
And then we looked at what we called The Whangarei Bus. This one almost stole our hearts. I guess you'd call it a 'home build', but that label just doesn't do it justice. The guy was a boatbuilder and a real craftsman. Beautiful cabinetry, plenty of storage and all the gadgets we desired. But again something wasn't right. This time it was a very poky lounge. And the stove was right next to the white upholstered lounge with no splash guard. I had visions of my homemade pasta sauce splashed all over that in the first week. I may be a good cook, but no-one ever accused me of being a tidy one.
And a U-turn
March 2010
Despite our excitement over the caravan we looked at, it wasn't long before some nagging doubts set in.
It started off with thoughts of how our lifestyle would work. Carrying water is challenging in a caravan; the weight from the water makes the van much harder to tow. Also, the small size of the tanks means you need to fill up (and dump the waste water) more often. Likewise, putting in a decent bank of batteries with solar panels to make us independent of the grid would add to the weight of the van.
This would probably mean we'd end up staying in caravan parks more often, for the convenience of power and water. And that would add to our cost of living, so the money saved in purchase would get chewed up.
But the real decider came the next day when we were on the road home to Wellington. Travelling south along the shores of Lake Taupo, we saw a campervan pull into a lovely rest area north of Mission Bay. You can't really see into this rest area from the road, but it is right on the lake's edge with lots of trees and grassed areas.
We realised we'd never be able to do that when towing a caravan. Pulling into somewhere like that without scouting it first means you risk getting stuck, either on a rough access road or because there is nowhere to turn around.
So, the caravan was struck off the list again. Back to the search for a bus or motorhome.
Despite our excitement over the caravan we looked at, it wasn't long before some nagging doubts set in.
It started off with thoughts of how our lifestyle would work. Carrying water is challenging in a caravan; the weight from the water makes the van much harder to tow. Also, the small size of the tanks means you need to fill up (and dump the waste water) more often. Likewise, putting in a decent bank of batteries with solar panels to make us independent of the grid would add to the weight of the van.
This would probably mean we'd end up staying in caravan parks more often, for the convenience of power and water. And that would add to our cost of living, so the money saved in purchase would get chewed up.
But the real decider came the next day when we were on the road home to Wellington. Travelling south along the shores of Lake Taupo, we saw a campervan pull into a lovely rest area north of Mission Bay. You can't really see into this rest area from the road, but it is right on the lake's edge with lots of trees and grassed areas.
We realised we'd never be able to do that when towing a caravan. Pulling into somewhere like that without scouting it first means you risk getting stuck, either on a rough access road or because there is nowhere to turn around.
So, the caravan was struck off the list again. Back to the search for a bus or motorhome.
A very clear decision
March 2010
So, off we went to the Hamilton show. This was our third visit - two years ago we signed up for our beautiful 6.5m Leisureline at the show. That was an adventure in itself, but an old story that can wait for a quiet news week.
We had a pretty clear agenda. Check out some fifth wheelers, peer into a couple of campervans just to confirm our thinking on those and look at what bus options were around.
So, the fifth wheeler. Quickly took that off the list. It's not that they're not right for some people; they're just not right for us. Layout and space weren't what we were after.
Campervans. Yes, a couple of these do actually appeal (and the ease of driving and set-up are a big factor here). But they still have the bed up top (even if it is a north-south bed) and the cost, well, just not what we wanted to spend on what we saw as a compromise.
Over to the buses. Wow, some of these are gorgeous. If you have $600,000. Or even half that. But again - not what we want to spend. In fact, we just haven't got that sort of money.
And what do you even get for that sort of money. I really would expect a full-size bed, not one with the corners cut off. And what use is a bench so deep I'd have to kneel on the edge to be able to wipe the back of it? One woman suggested you could throw a double mattress on top at night if you had unexpected guests.
The other thing that strikes us about these big machines is how often their expensive slide-outs just create floor space, not actually any extra or clever living space.
Then we decided to wander over and catch up with the Leisureline folk. They always remember us as the couple who put in the red leather upholstery - which they tried to talk us out of.
There was the caravan of our dreams. 8m, full bathroom across the back (where you can take a shower without getting the dunny wet) and plenty of living space. We even worked out the alterations we'd want to the plan - put the fridge on the other side so there's more bench space, take out the seat aft of the door to fit in the fridge and a small office area and it's all sorted.
Yes, there are some compromises - we'll have to fill up with water and dump the waste every couple of days, maybe plug in more often than we'd like, but oh how we love the space of a caravan. And the cost of upgrading would be so low compared to any other option.
Job done. Our trip to Hamilton had helped us decide exactly what we wanted.
So, off we went to the Hamilton show. This was our third visit - two years ago we signed up for our beautiful 6.5m Leisureline at the show. That was an adventure in itself, but an old story that can wait for a quiet news week.
We had a pretty clear agenda. Check out some fifth wheelers, peer into a couple of campervans just to confirm our thinking on those and look at what bus options were around.
So, the fifth wheeler. Quickly took that off the list. It's not that they're not right for some people; they're just not right for us. Layout and space weren't what we were after.
Campervans. Yes, a couple of these do actually appeal (and the ease of driving and set-up are a big factor here). But they still have the bed up top (even if it is a north-south bed) and the cost, well, just not what we wanted to spend on what we saw as a compromise.
Over to the buses. Wow, some of these are gorgeous. If you have $600,000. Or even half that. But again - not what we want to spend. In fact, we just haven't got that sort of money.
And what do you even get for that sort of money. I really would expect a full-size bed, not one with the corners cut off. And what use is a bench so deep I'd have to kneel on the edge to be able to wipe the back of it? One woman suggested you could throw a double mattress on top at night if you had unexpected guests.
The other thing that strikes us about these big machines is how often their expensive slide-outs just create floor space, not actually any extra or clever living space.
Then we decided to wander over and catch up with the Leisureline folk. They always remember us as the couple who put in the red leather upholstery - which they tried to talk us out of.
There was the caravan of our dreams. 8m, full bathroom across the back (where you can take a shower without getting the dunny wet) and plenty of living space. We even worked out the alterations we'd want to the plan - put the fridge on the other side so there's more bench space, take out the seat aft of the door to fit in the fridge and a small office area and it's all sorted.
Yes, there are some compromises - we'll have to fill up with water and dump the waste every couple of days, maybe plug in more often than we'd like, but oh how we love the space of a caravan. And the cost of upgrading would be so low compared to any other option.
Job done. Our trip to Hamilton had helped us decide exactly what we wanted.
The perils of the Internet
March 2010
What a wonderful thing to be able to instantly access information on the web. It has brought a whole new dimension to shopping - whether you're after groceries, music, skincare or your new home on wheels.
But how quickly it can spill over into obsession. Suddenly evenings of relaxing had gone; quiet conversations in the back garden over a glass of wine were a thing of the past. Even pleasantly dreaming about what our planned new life could hold had taken a back seat.
Instead, we spent hours studying online ads for caravans and motorhomes for sale. Checking and comparing lists of specifications, discarding options one day then putting them back onto the list of possibles the next.
After a while, they all seemed to blend into one. Did we like that one because it had a separate shower and toilet, or did we dislike it because the sink was too small? Was it worth sacrificing a wardrobe to ensure there was room in the kitchen for the rice cooker? Diesel versus petrol and how does this petrol rebate thing work? Cassette toilet or black water...
So, how to clarify our thinking? It seems we had to really start looking at them. Not online, or in magazines, but the real life article. But that can be as exhausting and time-consuming as the Internet excursions. Not to mention costly. How could we find the time to check out the fifth wheeler in Christchurch, the caravan in Hamilton, the bus in Whangarei, the American behemoth in Lumsden?
Wait for them all to get together - head for the Motorhome and Caravan Expo in Hamilton in March.
Surely we'll find the perfect answer.
What a wonderful thing to be able to instantly access information on the web. It has brought a whole new dimension to shopping - whether you're after groceries, music, skincare or your new home on wheels.
But how quickly it can spill over into obsession. Suddenly evenings of relaxing had gone; quiet conversations in the back garden over a glass of wine were a thing of the past. Even pleasantly dreaming about what our planned new life could hold had taken a back seat.
Instead, we spent hours studying online ads for caravans and motorhomes for sale. Checking and comparing lists of specifications, discarding options one day then putting them back onto the list of possibles the next.
After a while, they all seemed to blend into one. Did we like that one because it had a separate shower and toilet, or did we dislike it because the sink was too small? Was it worth sacrificing a wardrobe to ensure there was room in the kitchen for the rice cooker? Diesel versus petrol and how does this petrol rebate thing work? Cassette toilet or black water...
So, how to clarify our thinking? It seems we had to really start looking at them. Not online, or in magazines, but the real life article. But that can be as exhausting and time-consuming as the Internet excursions. Not to mention costly. How could we find the time to check out the fifth wheeler in Christchurch, the caravan in Hamilton, the bus in Whangarei, the American behemoth in Lumsden?
Wait for them all to get together - head for the Motorhome and Caravan Expo in Hamilton in March.
Surely we'll find the perfect answer.
What to live in?
February 2010
There are some very strongly held views about caravans versus motorhomes/campervans. VERY strongly held.
We have had a caravan for the last two years. Our decision to buy a caravan was based on how we were going to use it - for weekends and two or three longer trips a year. There was no point in buying something with an engine when it wouldn't get used very much - particularly as we still needed two cars for our working lives.
But now we were facing a new decision. What would suit our needs - once we actually worked out what those needs were?
There were really three choices.
The first option was a caravan. This was immediately attractive - we were used to the lifestyle, we already had the tow vehicle, it offered spacious and comfortable living, there would be little capital outlay even if we upgraded to a larger model.
The second option was a campervan - we quickly discounted this for a number of reasons, the main one being sleeping arrangements. To get a permanent bed (for who wants to make a bed up every night for the rest of their lives), we either had to sacrifice living space, or be happy to sleep above the cab. The idea of sleeping at the top of a ladder was just not appealing for us.
The remaining option was the much larger motorhome, whether it be a bus conversion or one of American-style purpose built varieties. This was a somewhat daunting thought - they're big, they seem to cost so much, driving them would be a challenge. Much of this was about the unknown; it really wasn't a lifestyle we'd had much contact with.
And so began three months of almost frenzied 'shopping' for a solution.
There are some very strongly held views about caravans versus motorhomes/campervans. VERY strongly held.
We have had a caravan for the last two years. Our decision to buy a caravan was based on how we were going to use it - for weekends and two or three longer trips a year. There was no point in buying something with an engine when it wouldn't get used very much - particularly as we still needed two cars for our working lives.
But now we were facing a new decision. What would suit our needs - once we actually worked out what those needs were?
There were really three choices.
The first option was a caravan. This was immediately attractive - we were used to the lifestyle, we already had the tow vehicle, it offered spacious and comfortable living, there would be little capital outlay even if we upgraded to a larger model.
The second option was a campervan - we quickly discounted this for a number of reasons, the main one being sleeping arrangements. To get a permanent bed (for who wants to make a bed up every night for the rest of their lives), we either had to sacrifice living space, or be happy to sleep above the cab. The idea of sleeping at the top of a ladder was just not appealing for us.
The remaining option was the much larger motorhome, whether it be a bus conversion or one of American-style purpose built varieties. This was a somewhat daunting thought - they're big, they seem to cost so much, driving them would be a challenge. Much of this was about the unknown; it really wasn't a lifestyle we'd had much contact with.
And so began three months of almost frenzied 'shopping' for a solution.
Watch for the shift
January 2010
Sometimes a shift in direction can start off so small or subtle it's hard to pinpoint the moment it actually happens. And somehow it grows to a change so huge you can barely draw breath.
One day you're looking at a fairly settled future of working in that well-paying job, wandering the country in the caravan at weekends and over the summer break, saving for a (hopefully) early retirement and enjoying the annual overseas trip. It seems like the very next day you're throwing all caution to the wind and racing at breakneck speed in that entirely new direction.
Where and when did our shift in direction actually happen?
As near as we can tell, it started as a casual thought while driving. We were staying a few days at Waikite Valley at the tail end of a wonderful three weeks in the caravan. So, of course, we were dreading the thought of having to go back to work and be grownups again.
The basic theme of that casual thought was this: for the amount of money we'd spend on a big trip to Europe next year, how long could we live on the road in New Zealand? And the answer - a pretty long time!
Well, that was the subtle shift, and before we knew it huge changes were upon us.
We came up with a dreadfully sensible plan. Work for another 18 months, save plenty of money, do lots of planning...but really, once you've made a decision like that, how can anyone wait that long?
Sometimes a shift in direction can start off so small or subtle it's hard to pinpoint the moment it actually happens. And somehow it grows to a change so huge you can barely draw breath.
One day you're looking at a fairly settled future of working in that well-paying job, wandering the country in the caravan at weekends and over the summer break, saving for a (hopefully) early retirement and enjoying the annual overseas trip. It seems like the very next day you're throwing all caution to the wind and racing at breakneck speed in that entirely new direction.
Where and when did our shift in direction actually happen?
As near as we can tell, it started as a casual thought while driving. We were staying a few days at Waikite Valley at the tail end of a wonderful three weeks in the caravan. So, of course, we were dreading the thought of having to go back to work and be grownups again.
The basic theme of that casual thought was this: for the amount of money we'd spend on a big trip to Europe next year, how long could we live on the road in New Zealand? And the answer - a pretty long time!
Well, that was the subtle shift, and before we knew it huge changes were upon us.
We came up with a dreadfully sensible plan. Work for another 18 months, save plenty of money, do lots of planning...but really, once you've made a decision like that, how can anyone wait that long?
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