It definitely wasn’t love at first swipe for Pittsburgh couple Ethan and Kim Weiss. When Kim first stumbled across Ethan’s profile, all she saw was a guy hiding behind a motorcycle helmet and a bio made up of three beer emojis.
Still, something nudged her to take a chance. She swiped right—and that single moment kicked off an adventure neither of them expected. Before long, they were deep into skoolie listings, dreaming up a life on the road and plotting their future exploring every corner of the United States together.
They found a 1997 Thomas International Bus 3800 DT466E on Craigslist in 2018 and purchased it for just $2,500. They then spent the next two and a half years converting it into a house on wheels, spending a total of $20,000 – which included the price of the bus.
By the time December 2020 rolled around, they were ready to hit the road, and they had their two great Danes, Milo and Blue, to join them on their adventure. They were also fortunate to be able to work on the road during their adventures. Ethan is a traveling physical therapist, while Kim is a social media manager.
Kim says their goal wasn’t to have a house on the road to find happiness but, instead, to enjoy every moment of their journey and be happy along the way. They also wanted to redefine the meaning of ‘normal’ life and explore all parts of the United States to find their ‘forever’ spot where they could settle down and start a family.
Ethan and Kim Weiss purchased a 1997 Thomas International Bus 3800 DT466E on Craigslist for $2,500 and spent $20,000 converting it into a house on wheels. Part of this process involved raising the roof due to Ethan’s height. They used two farm jacks on each side of the bus and added an extra 20 inches. They also took the opportunity to install two skylights, four solar panels, and a rooftop deck.
While many people renovate their buses with light colors for the illusion of space, Ethan and Kim decided to choose darker colors consisting of a dark walnut stain. They loved the look, and they weren’t worried about a dark ceiling making the space look smaller due to the extra 20 inches of height they had. They also had insulation experts install 2-3 inches of spray foam in the ceiling and walls during the lining process.
Kim and Ethan cleverly used existing built-in storage above the dash that once housed the school bus medical kit to hide their 12,000 BTU Pioneer Minisplit unit. This effectively heats and cools the bus while being out of sight when it’s not in use. They installed two diesel heaters in the front and back for extra heat.
The kitchen has been well thought out, with the stove and oven on the passenger side and the sink on the driver’s side. Kim and Ethan decided to do this as plumbing for the shower was already running through the driver’s side.
This traveling couple has more counter space in their bus than they did in their old apartment. There is 13 feet to work with, including six feet on one side and seven on the other. They also made and installed a beautiful resin river countertop that they learned how to make by watching YouTube tutorials.
Cooking in the bus is made easy with the black Furrion 17-inch three-burner two-in-one range oven. Kim and Ethan opted against having a microwave, but they do travel with an outdoor grill.
After spending so much time and effort making a resin river countertop, they weren’t going to let any scraps go to waste. They turned all remaining pieces into floating shelves, a utensil holder, and a knife rack. All they had to do to make the knife rack was cut out a section for a magnet and secure it with glue.
Kim and Ethan’s kitchen is set up similarly to an apartment. It features a 10.1-cubic-foot Magic Chef fridge freezer that they also use to store their spices. As they are craft beer enthusiasts, there is a second mini fridge strictly for beer in the front of the bus.
The bus kitchen is everything Kim and Ethan need to cook up a storm. It features a large sink, an attractive faucet, a tap for filtered water, and even a built-in soap dispenser.
The floating shelves in the kitchen were made using off-cuts of the countertop and they stand out beautifully against the light wall color. Kim uses them to store her tea collection.
The hallway is in the center of the bus, providing access to all areas. The bathroom is on one side with a tiled and grouted shower, hidden storage, and a DIY compost toilet. The other side features a closet and pantry.
The bathroom is a beautiful combination of wood and tiles. It also features an easy-care compost toilet.
Showering is a pleasant experience in the house bus. Kim and Ethan installed a water-saving Nebia showerhead. It provides a spa-like experience but also saves water since they only have 100 gallons.
The bedroom is located in the rear of the bus, and it’s a beautiful sanctuary to relax in at night. The loft bed is positioned 40 inches above the ground, which gives plenty of space for the dogs and the water tank storage.
There’s definitely no ‘no dogs allowed rule’ on the bus. You can follow Ethan and Kim and their two magnificent hounds on Instagram @justanotherskoolie and their website justanotherskoolie.com.
British couple Charlotte and Nico were worn down by the nine-to-five routine. Their days blurred together—long hours at the office, late nights at home,...
Like many people across the UK, Josie found homeownership out of reach. Living alone in southeast England on a self-employed dancer’s income meant buying...
When square footage is limited, furniture has to earn its place. These clever, hardworking pieces don’t just look good—they transform, tuck away, lift up,...
The Welsh word twt—meaning neat, tidy, and “just right”—has long been used to describe something small, well-made, and cosy. It feels like a natural...
Peel-and-stick wallpaper has become one of the most versatile—and renter-friendly—tools in the home decorator’s toolkit. What started as an easy way to refresh walls...
