1954 Crown Supercoach Bus Conversion
White bus = 1957 Crown Coach Supercoach504 Cummins v-8 and fuller 10-spd
Very comfortable to drive, very balanced with the engine in the middle, almost hugs the road. The 10 speed takes some getting used to because the gears are so close together, however, it makes highway driving more enjoyable to only have to reach down a little to climb a hill.
Bought in Washington, drove to and lived in it in Oregon, drove to Washington, lived in it, drove from Washington to Arizona and lived in it.
The white bus is registered as an RV, was originally converted by an Oregon based company in 82 and has been retrofitted a few times. . . thankfully! Even when we bought it, it still had carpet on the ceiling. . . yuck. We've changed a few things around and made it cozy. Lived in it for two years while starting a family and the family is getting bigger. . . . and bigger J we're ready for a new chapter in our life and sadly need to let this bus go to the next loving owner.
No generator, the one that was in there was a joke, really. . . you had to unbolt it, and pull it to add oil, what were they thinking?! They also ran solid core house type wiring for the 110 circuit. . . a disaster or death waiting to happen in a moving vehicle. . . I have run flexible core from the shore-cable plug to the compartment behind the fridge and freezer, to a breaker switch, then to an outlet for the fridge and freezer (separate units under counter) and from that outlet to the top of the counter, for whatever mixer or appliance you would use in the galley. Very simple, very reliable, and best of all Not solid core. . .
Oven and stove are awesome. It's not a pretty unit, but it's compact and cooks like a dream. The propane stove Out-cooks most thousand-dollar units. 12Volt water system works, but it needed a new tank, I threw it away for liability reasons you need to buy one(something I would do anyway when buying a live aboard.) No composting commode here folks you're in taaaaall cotton, It has a Flushing Toilet!
Had the overhead A/C unit worked on and it runs and blows cold but you have to plug it in to a generator as it runs from 110V.
The large propane tank in the stern looked like a bomb, so I don't use it. Ran propane to stove from a conventional two-tank-type RV regulator and stored tanks AWAY from the muffler. . . again. . . what were they thinking?!?
The rest of the bus needs wiring run to it if you so desire.
For many bus-nuts out there this is a work in progress but it doesn't have to be, either, plug it in and live a comfortable simple life or have fun on the open road unencumbered by the complexities of "modern life."
Folks, this is a bus made by people that cared about their children's safety. Heavily overbuilt, and made from American Steel. The Crown Coach Corporation was one of those companies that couldn't survive because they refused to cheapen out and lessen their costs. They don't and wont ever make 'em like this anymore. California just passed a law demanding that the Crown busses still in use by school districts from the 70s be sold "or else." Not because they weren't safe, not because they didn't work well, but because of emissions (ok actually a good reason) and lobbying from other bus manufacturers. . .
Living in this 36ft bus allows you the comforts of a 50ft sailboat, without the worry of a bilge-pump. Without the worry of dragging anchor. Without the worries. It does however, need a new front door sometime in the future.
Need more detail please here
