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Converting Your Bus

When we started building our Toyota Coaster, we were completely new to the idea of building our own tiny home. There was so much we didn’t know, and so much we had to learn. Our motto was always “wing it”, or “let’s just see how it goes”. After living in our Toyota Coaster for over a year, we decided to start again and are now on our second bus build; our Mercedes Vario. We have learnt so much in the process, and so far it has made this bus build go a lot smoother.

Converting a bus into a motorhome can seem like a daunting task and you may have absolutely no idea where to start. We started this blog to help other people, who like us, had no idea at the beginning. As well as to inspire anyone we can.

We absolutely love this lifestyle and want to do what we can to assist other people in their goals of achieving the same thing.

Below we have curated a list of some of our blog posts to help get you started and converting!

Note: A lot of our earlier posts are written in the context of converting a Toyota Coaster, however a lot of the steps are applicable to any conversion

Photo of drawn up plan for our Toyota Coaster bus conversion.

Before You Start

  • Things You Should Know Before Starting A Bus Conversion
  • Our New Bus Conversion and Tips On How To Get It Right The First Time
  • Bus Conversion Floor Plan – Designing Your Home 
  • 4 Reasons Why You Must Consider a Toyota Coaster For Your New Bus Conversion
  • Can You Drive A Toyota Coaster On A Car Licence

Demolition

  • Seat Removal 
  • Toyota Coaster – Heater, Floor, Roof and Wall Removal
  • Toyota Coaster – Bus Heater Plugging, Sub-Floor Removal and More!
  • Toyota Coaster – Bi-Fold Door Removal 

Insulation and Ventilation

  • Installing Wall Insulation
  • Roof Insulation
  • Installing a Dometic Mini Hekiplus RV Roof Vent/Skylight 
  • Window Tint Removal and Application

Water, Plumbing and Electrical

  • Toyota Coaster – Plumbing Guide
  • Toyota Coaster – RV Fresh and Grey Water Tank Install
  • Guide to Gas in your Motorhome or Bus Conversion
  • Electrical System Guide
Roaming on rubber rv dometic cassette toilet - toyota coaster motorhome conversion

Shower and Toilet

  • Caravan Toilet Guide
  • Toyota Coaster – Shower Cubicle and Dometic Toilet Install
roaming on rubber - bus conversion tips

Kitchen and Living

  • Building Your Kitchen 
  • Building an Expanding Lounge With Storage
  • Flooring
  • DIY Flyscreens
  • Toyota Coaster – Caravan Door Installation
Roaming on Rubber Toyota Coaster

Final Steps

  • How to change a bus into a motorhome and register it in NSW
Roaming on Rubber - Free camping tips Australia

Living In Your Bus

  • Guide to Internet and WiFi
  • How to Find Free Campsites and More In Australia
  • Tips For Free Camping In Australia

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roamingonrubber

Childhood Sweethearts || Travel Bloggers || Coaster Bus Renovators || Australian Photography || Van Life || Entrepreneur || www.roamingonrubber.com 🐱

Last weekend (8/7) I got to marry my best friend i Last weekend (8/7) I got to marry my best friend in front of a small crowd of our nearest and dearest at a beautiful alpaca farm in Broke NSW.

This year has been a massive roller coaster for us. We’ve lost loved ones, our bus is still at the mechanic which isn’t looking to change soon, and our run-around car just recently died. But we have also just gotten married and got to surprise everyone with the announcement that we will soon be welcoming another member to the Roaming on Rubber family.

We keep reminding ourselves that these setbacks aren’t the end of the world and as long as we are together we know it’s going to be okay.

-Shane

The day wouldn’t have been as perfect as it was without our amazing vendors.
Would easily recommend any of them again, special shout outs to @chameleoneventhire , who went above and beyond to keep the night running smoothly, and @benjonescelebrancy who crafted the perfect story and ceremony for us.

Location: @starlinealpacasfarmstayresort 
Celebrant: @benjonescelebrancy 
Photographer: @weddingsxmemories 
Event staff: @chameleoneventhire 
Food: @woodfiredpizzacompany and @the_gelato_man 
HMUA: @cmphairartistry 
Suits: @mb__apparel 
Dress: @bellesandbeauxbridal 
Alterations: Just Perfect Alterations
Ties: @peggyandfinn
Some harsh realities of Bus life and our worst fea Some harsh realities of Bus life and our worst fears came to head on Friday.

We have been pretty quiet on social media the last few months while we waited and waited with bad news after bad news. Just as we were nearing the end and looking like we may be back on the road soon, we got the news that our bus’ engines block is cracked right through and that we have no repair options.

It’s a new engine or nothing.

So we aren’t sure what our plan is and if/when we will get back on the road as we can’t really afford that.

We are just trying to stay positive, and work out our next steps.

Thank you to people who have messaged asking where we have been, it means a lot.

For now we have started a short lease on a rental so not up to too much post worthy but hopefully we will be back on our feet in no time.
We’ve had a few setbacks so been a little quite We’ve had a few setbacks so been a little quite recently but we are almost finished! Cleaned for the valuation so thought we’d give you a look. Let us know what you think!
Not much work to go now! We just need to finish t Not much work to go now! 
We just need to finish the bathroom, build a kitchen overhead, add some trim and doors, and do a bunch of painting. Surely that won't take too long? 😂😂😂

#busconversion #vanconversion #buslifeaustralia #buslifeau #vanlifestyle #vanlifemovement #vanlifer #vanlifeideas #vanlifeaustralia #homeonwheels #homeiswhereyouparkit #thisisvanlifeing #vancrush #offgrid #busbuild #vanbuild
Sorry for the delay in posting! We have been so bu Sorry for the delay in posting! We have been so busy building the bus it has put us a little behind with our updates.
But our new desk is in! 
Made from the same Vic Ash wood as our kitchen bench, this beauty is long enough for us to both share the space 😊

#buslifeaustralia #busconversionaustralia #vanlife #vanlifeaustralia #busconversion #buslifeau #homeonwheels #homeiswhereyouparkit #thisvanlifeing #vancrush #busbuild
We loved our old wooden roof in the coaster so hav We loved our old wooden roof in the coaster so have just finished installing the same panneling in the Vario.

Plan is to paint it white this time rather then staining it.

Putting this in has really made us realise how much more space there is.

It's coming up great if we do say so 😁
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