It’s no secret that campers and RVs are very popular these days. Do-it-yourself builds are also quite popular, and while most involve smaller vans, some of the projects are simply awesome. That’s a good way to describe this purpose-built motorhome, which packs two floors of luxurious living room into what was once a double-decker bus.
Specifically, this rig is a 1992 Neoplan Skyliner. Its former life was a 90 seater bus, and when Ron and his wife Byrke bought it for 15,000 euros in 2011, the bus was still in great condition. It also still has 90 seats, but over the five-year span of this RV conversion, that number has been reduced to 11 – three up front for the driver and two passengers, four at the top for the extra passengers, and four in the dining area. .
Obviously, this particular RV feature method more than just a few chairs being moved. Ron used computers to design interiors, and from 2011 to 2016, steady progress turned his digital designs into reality. A sizable kitchen with a full size fridge and freezer covers most of the lower floor, with dining accommodations and a small living room with sofa located behind the driver’s area. A garage with various storage tanks occupies the lower rear, with a rebuilt 255-horsepower Mercedes-Benz V6 engine located at the rear.
There are two stairs leading to the upper level. The master bedroom is above the garage at the rear, with a second bedroom for the two sons Ron and Byrke at the front. Among these is the large bathroom, which effectively separates the two bedrooms for privacy. There’s enough room for a small tub, not to mention a full size cupboard for storage. At the very front of the top tier there are four more passenger seats with seat belts, giving children a clear view of the road during the ride.
And travel is like that. At nearly 40 feet long and 13 feet high, it’s not a landing machine but it meets the regulations for its height and length. It carries 158 gallons of fresh water, holds 79 gallons of black water, and there’s a dedicated 26-gallon LP tank for cooking and heating. Has AC for hot days, although not quite insulated for winter.
That didn’t stop this family from venturing out everywhere. They manage a website called Big buszz where development and many trips are recorded. They also have Youtube Channel show builds and various adventures on the bus. It’s not the first double-decker bus/RV conversion we’ve seen, but it’s certainly one of the most impressive DIY projects we’ve come across in the motorhome world.
