Absolutely, a skoolie or school bus conversion can tow a car. In nearly all cases of vehicle towing, a skoolie will be able to tow a standard car, truck, jeep, and even trailers. These former commercial vehicles have very strong chassis and powerful diesel engines, so they can put up typically with towing behind vehicles and even trailers.
Where you run into difficulties is if your vehicle can be towed at all. Many newer model vehicles can’t be towed, and you can find that out by looking at the owner’s manual of your vehicle. This was actual the case with our 2018 VW Atlas – the manufacturer guidelines said it could not be towed behind any vehicle for long periods.
Comprehensive Answers to Common Skoolie Myths
We aim to bust the common myths you read about school bus conversions by providing solid resources and research from the skoolie community.
Installing an after-market tow hitch on a skoolie is a relatively simple thing to do (after having built out an entire rig anywa). Simply purchase an after-market tow hitch kit like this one from Curt and bolt or weld to your skoolie. Make sure the tow hitch kit includes a light kit or buy a light kit so you remain safe and compliant on the road. You may also want to consider adding magnetic lights to keep on your towed vehicle while pulling.
Here’s a video of someone installing a hitch on their skoolie.
Here’s a tutorial on how to install a tow hitch on a skoolie.
Why should I not tow a vehicle behind my skoolie?
Towing a vehicle behind an RV is first and foremost a personal preference. Some reasons why you may elect to not tow a vehicle behind a skoolie and drive separately are:
Car Seats You prefer to drive with your children in car seats per factory instructions.
Comfort An unairconditioned bus is hot for passengers to sit in.
Motion Sickness Some passengers get motion sickness, so driving separately may be their best solution.
Personal Vehicle Cannot Be Towed Per the Manufacturer This was the case for us. Our newer model VW didn’t allow long-distance vehicle towing, so we had to drive separately.
Conclusion to “Can a skoolie tow a car?”
I hope this post answers the common question of whether a skoolie can tow a vehicle behind it. If you tow a vehicle behind your skoolie, let me know in the comments your experiences with it.
If you like this post, check out this other skoolie-related content:
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan. Thank you, if you do. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This site is not intended to provide financial advice and is for entertainment only. Read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy.
You’re not alone. A common question I see on skoolie forums from new and veteran skoolie owners is where to find skoolie-friendly campgrounds during their travels. To create this directory, I spent over ten hours scouring skoolie forums and websites for personal recommendations from the skoolie community and four months of direct outreach to campground managers in the USA and Canada. Additionally, there are helpful features like an interactive Google Map and tips for free or wild camping, including in populated areas.
Paid Download
My goal is that the Skoolie-Friendly Campground Directory will be a growing and reliable resource that provides helpful information to the school bus conversion community. We’ve got 287+ campgrounds and increasing!
Free Download
Don’t despair if you are looking for a free alternative. Check out the simpler free version of the full-version. This is actually the guide that started it all, and includes about 95+ campgrounds in the USA that allow skoolies to camp.
To add your favorite skoolie-friendly campgrounds to the list, email me at hello@destinationunknown.life with the details.
What is included in the skoolie-friendly campground directory?
The directory of skoolie-friendly campgrounds in North America reflects input from our community on which campgrounds they’ve camped at and recommend as being accepting of school bus conversions, and input from privately owned and operated campgrounds and RV park owners. Campgrounds can be found in all 50 American states and 10 Canadian provinces. Sounds pretty nice, eh?
The campgrounds include privately owned campgrounds, RV parks, RV resorts, tiny home communities, private land, and even some highly-rated public parks in the United States of America and Canada. These campgrounds require payment and are not free campgrounds; however, I include a guide at the back of the e-book that offers tips on how to free and wild camp.
The directory provides the:
State, city, name, and contact information of the campground
Answers commonly asked questions like:
Is the campground pet-friendly?
What are the campground amenities (full hook-ups like water, dog park, playground, wifi, etc)?
In order to add your campground to the directory, you’ll be presented with 12 simple questions about the campground and why you liked it.
If you have difficulty with the form, please feel free to email Ingrid instead at Hello@DestinationUnknown.Life with the information.
Skoolie-Friendly Campgrounds FAQs
Does KOA allow skoolies?
Yes. Skoolies may be allowed to park at some KOAs but not all. Each KOA-affiliated campground is privately owned and operated, meaning that each business has its own rules and regulations.
You can eliminate some of the guesswork when searching by looking in the skoolie-friendly campgrounds directory of North America. In it, you’ll find over 287+ campgrounds, RV parks, and tiny home communities that welcome skoolies.
KOA stands for Kamping of America, and it’s company that maintains affiliate listings of privately owned campgrounds in North America.
Where can I find skoolie-friendly campgrounds near me?
Locating skoolie-friendly campgrounds is becoming easier because of the number of available resources. Using the skoolie-friendly campgrounds directory of North America, you’re able to find over 287+ campgrounds, RV parks, and tiny home communities that welcome skoolies.
There are also a number of membership programs, like Harvest Hosts or Thousand Trails, where you pay an annual fee thus giving you access to to the short-term sites on their platform. Finally, you can locate thousands of free camping sites using sites like BLM lands, USDA, and much more.
Where can I find long-term skoolie parking?
Common ways to find long-term skoolie parking is by contacting RV and mobile home parks, tiny home communities, friends and family with land, and boat yards.
You can eliminate some of the guesswork when searching by looking in the skoolie-friendly campgrounds directory of North America. In it, you’ll find over 287+ campgrounds, RV parks, and tiny home communities that welcome skoolies, some of which offer long-term skoolie parking.
Can I park my skoolie in an RV resort?
Yes. Skoolies may be allowed to park at some RV resorts but not all. Each RV resort is privately owned and operated, meaning that each business has its own rules and regulations.
You can eliminate some of the guesswork when searching by looking in the skoolie-friendly campgrounds directory of North America. In it, you’ll find over 287+ campgrounds, RV parks, and tiny home communities that welcome skoolie conversions.
Yes. National parks are very skoolie-friendly camping destinations for short-term stays. With that being said, national parks often have length restrictions for bus builds so check your size on their website before booking.
Yes. State parks are very skoolie-friendly camping destinations for short-term stays. With that being said, state parks may have some restrictions to camp overnight depending on things like length and animals, so check on their website before booking.
Maybe. It depends on if the city park is equipped for overnight camping. The amenities available in city parks vary from town to town, state to state. If a city park does offer overnight camping, remember to check for restrictions on common restrictions such as length.
Conclusion to Skoolie-Friendly Campgrounds in North America
I hope that the Skoolie-Friendly Campgrounds Directory for North America gives you some peace of mind when traveling in your skoolie conversion. We have a lovely community of independent thinkers, DIYers, and travel enthusiasts who deserve to easily locate skoolie-friendly campgrounds wherever they roam.
My goal is that the directory will be a growing and reliable resource that provides helpful information to the school bus conversion community.
I hope in the near future that more campgrounds will be added to this list so that the days of hunkering down for an overnight or two in Wal-Mart parking lots and refilling your water tanks at questionable truck stops are fewer and far between… unless that’s your vibe. 🙂
To add your favorite skoolie-friendly campgrounds to the list, use this form or email me at hello@destinationunknown.life with the details.
If you are looking for more in-depth reviews of some of our favorite RV parks, peep them here:
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan. Thank you, if you do. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This site is not intended to provide financial advice and is for entertainment only. Read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy.
RV parks everywhere have different requirements, and some are more finicky than others. From the totally chill to the downright snobby, there is a lot of variation in what you may come across on your skoolie journey. Keep reading for the 8 shocking reasons why skoolies aren’t allowed in RV parks (Reason #6 may surprise you!).
Below, I’ve listed some of the most common reasons I have personally read or discussed with other school bus conversion owners when searching for RV campgrounds.
Much of this information is available on RV campground websites, in the “Rules and Regulations” section; however, I often recommend calling a campground in advance because websites can contain outdated information.
Table of Contents
Our Skoolie Journey and Staying in RV Campgrounds
We built our school bus conversion out over 8 months during the pandemic, then hit the road full-time with our family of five. We traveled for 6 months along the East Coast, visiting 12 states along the way.
During our adventure, we stayed in RV campgrounds in several states, and had positive experiences in all of them, despite the RV park horror stories you hear directed towards the skoolie community.
What are some reasons why skoolies aren’t allowed in RV Parks?
While the list as to why skoolies or school bus conversions may not be allowed in RV campgrounds could be endless, I’ve put together a list of the most common reasons why skoolies are denied entry to stay at an RV park.
Not a Self-Contained RV
Everyone poops. If your skoolie doesn’t have showers and plumbing for waste disposal, a campground may have concerns about how you dispose of your waste or may not have the infrastructure in place with public bathhouses (bathrooms, showers) for you to use during your stay.
Length
If you have a huge rig, like over 29 feet, then you may have difficulty finding campgrounds that can accommodate your size even if they accept alternative RVs.
The DIY nature of a school bus conversion is admittedly a concern for RV park owners and certainly a common fear of newbie skoolie-builders.
If you are building your rig yourself, I recommend spending a little extra money to have a professional electrician inspect your entire system and draft a certificate of inspection stating that it’s in working order.
Age
If your rig is over 10 years old, then some campgrounds may cite age as a reason to deny you. In those cases, it may be helpful to show a vehicle inspection showing that your rig is in tip-top shape.
Snobbery
Some campgrounds are downright snobby and won’t let you in if you don’t fit into the rest of the community. In those cases, just move along because you probably don’t want to stay there anyway.
Pet Restrictions
Traveling with pets is very common in the RV community; however, if you’re traveling with an uncommon housepet like a pot-bellied pig, then a campground may take issue with allowing farm animals on their property!
More commonly, for more traditional pets like dogs, you may find there are breed restrictions, weight or size restrictions, and vaccination requirements that could affect your pet’s ability to camp in the park.
Bad Paint Job
This is definitely a case of judging a book by its cover, but that is how the cookie crumbles sometimes. This point is closely related to the snobbery point above; however, it is a commonly cited cause I see in forums and Facebook groups as to why a skoolie is turned away from an RV resort or campground.
Membership Only Resorts
Some RV resorts offer memberships, meaning that it’s members pay fees to be apart of the community. This can result in situations like paid members having more pull in who camps in the resort, being given priority camp sites and first availability, or it affects the length of time non-members can camp.
Why Skoolies Aren’t Allowed in RV Parks FAQs
What can I do if an RV park won’t let my skoolie stay at the campground?
The best answer is to leave and find other accommodation. Unfortunately, a business can refuse service for a number of reasons, even if that reason is simply that you are driving a skoolie.
Fortunately, there are far more campgrounds out there that do accept school bus conversions and other alternative recreational vehicles, and being turned away is less common than you may think (though it doesn’t feel great when it happens to you!). Check out this list of skoolie-friendly campgrounds in North America.
Can I camp at an RV park with my dog?
Probably. Nearly all campgrounds allow dogs, but they may have breed restrictions, weight restrictions, or vaccination requirements (like an updated rabies vaccination).
The resorts aren’t checking what’s inside your vehicle; however, if you’re carrying a barnyard animal that needs walks and may surprise the neighbors, expect to have some questions.
It is common within the RV community to travel with pets, especially dogs. Dogs provide their owner with security, and support, and act as a deterrent against burglars.
How do I know if my Skoolie Will Be Allowed to Park at an RV Park?
The best way to know if your skoolie will be allowed to camp at an RV park is to review the “rules and regulations” on their company website to first see if there are any glaringly obvious disclaimers against “alternative vehicles.”
Next, you’re going to pick up the phone and call the camp office to chat one-on-one with the office manager. I have often found that what is stated on a website and what is allowed may differ, so speaking with a real person will save you hours of headaches. You can also offer to text or email a photo of your rig and any supporting documents to help, if additional support is needed.
Can I park my Skoolie at a National Park?
Yes, the National Parks in the United States don’t care if you drive a skoolie. The national parks have length restrictions, so you may not be eligible to park if your bus exceeds the requirements.
Unfortunately, length restrictions are one of the most common reasons why skoolies aren’t allowed in RV parks.
Are There Free, Skoolie-Friendly RV Campgrounds?
Yes. Some of our best memories in our skoolie were spent at free campgrounds or staying with friends and family. One of the easiest ways to find free campgrounds that are skoolie-friendly are through platforms like Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome and on BLM-managed land. BLM stands for the Bureau of Land Management of the United States of America.
The best part of these free, skoolie-friendly campgrounds is they had no requirements to camp!
For overnight stays, most rigs are welcome at commercial warehouse spaces like Wal-Mart, Love’s Gas Stations, and Home Depot.
Did the Reasons Why Skoolies Aren’t Allowed in RV Parks Surprise You?
Having been a part of the skoolie community for several years, I feel like I’ve heard it all. I’m curious though what you thought of the reasons why skoolies aren’t allowed in RV Parks. Let me know in the comments.
As mentioned, we had an overwhelmingly positive experience when we stayed in RV parks in our skoolie. Honestly, this was a preferred method of camping for our family because the parks provided safety and fun for younger kids (limited traffic and loads of amenities like playgrounds and walking paths).
If you liked this post, then I recommend reading the following:
Get Community-Led Inspiration for Skoolie Exterior Paint Schemes
Skoolies, aka. schoolies, have become increasingly popular in recent years as a unique and creative way to live a mobile lifestyle. One of the most important decisions when it comes to skoolie conversions is choosing the perfect exterior paint scheme.
In this blog, I’ve compiled five charming skoolie exterior paint jobs with examples of skoolies that fall into those categories to inspire your own school bus paint schemes!
I want to thank the lovely skoolie owners from the Skoolie Girls Facebook Group that volunteered to share photos of their skoolie exterior paint schemes for this blog. I’ve linked back to their social media and/or blogs, when provided.
Add your Skoolie Exterior Photo to this Blog
Do you love how your skoolie exterior looks? Share a photo of your skoolie and I may add it to this post. E-mail me at hello@destinationunknown.life.
The Bohemian Dream paint scheme is perfect for those who want to express their artistic side on their skoolie‘s exterior. This school bus paint job typically features a mix of bold colors, patterns, and textures, creating a playful and eclectic look. For this exterior paint for skoolie, you can use bright yellows, pinks, and blues with earthy tones such as orange and brown. Adding a mandala or flower design can further enhance the bohemian vibe.
Rustic Charm
The Rustic Charm paint scheme is a classic option that gives off a cozy and warm feel. This exterior paint for skoolie typically features earthy colors such as deep browns, greens, and reds, creating a rustic cabin-like look. Adding wood paneling to the exterior can make the skoolie feel even more authentic. This school bus paint job is perfect for those who want to embrace the great outdoors and live a rustic lifestyle.
Coastal Cool
If you love the beach and want to bring that coastal feel to your skoolie‘s exterior, then the Coastal Cool paint scheme is for you. This school bus paint job typically features light blues and greens, sandy beiges, and whites. Adding seashell or wave designs can further enhance the coastal vibe. This exterior paint for skoolie is great for those who want a relaxed and serene atmosphere.
The Industrial Chic paint scheme is perfect for those who love the look of industrial-style homes. This school bus paint job typically features shades of gray and black, with metal accents and sharp lines. Adding rivets or other metal details can enhance the industrial look even further.
This exterior paint for skoolie is great for those who want a modern and edgy feel.
Moira RoseMoira RoseMoira Rose
Retro Revival
The Retro Revival paint scheme is perfect for those who love the vintage aesthetic. This school bus paint job typically features bright colors such as teal, pink, and yellow, with a playful mix of patterns and textures. Adding chrome accents can enhance the retro feel even further.
This exterior paint for skoolie is great for those who want to bring a touch of nostalgia to their skoolie.
Modern Simplicity
The Modern Simplicity paint scheme is for those who love prefer a more minimalistic design. This school bus paint job typically features a duotone palette like deep, saturated color paired with a neutral like soft white. Adding on-trend accents typically follow what you see in current home trends, like black or gold.
This exterior paint for skoolie is great for those who want to be outdoors while keeping their modern taste in mind. This palette is personally what we chose to go with for our rig.
Despite the negative opinions that some people have about skoolies, those of us within the community understand the charm and character that these unique RVs possess. To showcase the beauty and creativity of skoolie paint jobs, we’ve highlighted five charming exterior paint schemes in this blog. Whether you’re drawn to the bohemian, rustic, coastal, industrial, or retro style, there’s a school bus paint scheme out there for everyone.
Share your School Bus Paint Color
If you have a skoolie with an amazing exterior paint job that you’d like to share, we invite you to add it to our Skoolie Exterior Paint Palette List. Shoot us a message at Hello@DestinationUnknown.Life with a few photos of your rig and some details about the school bus paint color and application method. We’ll be happy to include your skoolie and link back to you!
The correct answer to this question is whatever you choose! With that being said, if your goal is to blend into your surroundings while boondocking, then going with a color palette inspired by nature would be a good choice. If you’re parked in a wooded area, those colors could be deep greens. If you’re parked in a desert, beiges and tans would be a lovely pick. If you’re parked on a beach, a coastal vibe with teals, light greens and yellows would be great for a tropical vibe.
How much paint do I need to paint a Skoolie?
The amount of paint you’ll need to paint a skoolie will vary on several factors, such as paint type (oil versus latex), priming, condition of the old paint (if any), and the size of the vehicle.
With that being said, a handy paint calculator will give you a starting point on how much paint you’ll need to get the job done.
What is the best exterior paint for a skoolie?
The topic of the best exterior paint for a skoolie is highly debatable and personal. The best paint for you will depend on a number of factors like budget, time, and experience.
In our school bus conversion, we used an oil-based tintable exterior paint by Valspar. Other skoolie owners rave about using costly truck bed liner or affordable Rustoleum.
In conclusion, selecting the right exterior paint for skoolie can be a fun and exciting way to express your personality and style. Whether you want to embrace the bohemian vibe, rustic charm, coastal feel, industrial look, or retro aesthetic, there is a school bus paint scheme out there that’s perfect for you.
So, don’t be afraid to get creative with your skoolie paint job and let it stand out!
Installing an RV roof fan is an excellent and low-energy way to keep your interior comfortable and free from moisture.
In this article, I dive deep into why you need a RV roof fan, what to consider when shopping for one, and some of the best options available on the market, including what we installed in our rig.
Our family converted a retired school bus into our dream tiny home on wheels during the pandemic. We learned so much about building a skoolie along the way, and this blog is dedicated to sharing that knowledge with this community.
Yes! The primary reason for an RV roof fan or vent is to help to remove moisture from the interior of your RV. This is important because excessive moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth, which can be harmful to your health.
Interior moisture is created most often by your literal existence inside the home. After all, the CO2 from your breath, sweat from your body, cooking, and shower steam have to go somewhere!
Additionally, a RV roof fan or vent can provide lighting, remove odors, and help cool a warm interior by circulating air.
As a note, you may not have a need for a RV roof fan or vent if you do plan to run your air conditioner all the time since that will extract moisture as it cools; however, the likelihood of always running an AC is not 100% in many people’s home on wheels.
Personally, we installed a mini-split and two roof fans though our bus is quite large.
This Roof Fan is most similar to what we installed in our school bus conversion – our exact model is no longer available online. We liked that it offered a rain shield, variable speeds, bug screen, lighting, and a remote control to operate the fan.
If you’re looking for a great RV roof fan with lighting, the Hike Crew 14” RV Roof Vent Fan with LED Light is a fantastic option.
The fan comes with a 12V motor and three-speed options for intake and exhaust, which helps to keep your RV comfortable and fresh. The LED lighting is trimmed around the entire frame, which is the most I’ve seen on an roof fan. For someone with limited space or budget for lighting, this is a huge win.
This fan has a compact design makes it perfect for smaller RVs, and comes with a remote control – great for the vertically challenged or when you don’t feel like getting up from the couch.
The fan is reversible so it has the ability to cycle air inside or vent stale air and condensation outside.
The RVLOVENT 12V RV Roof Fan Vent is an excellent choice for those who prefer an easy-to-operate fan with manual controls. There’s no worry of losing a remote or the extra ambient lighting. You simply open and close the vent by turning the knob, though this could be a deterrent for someone with limited mobility.
The fan is reversible so it has the ability to cycle air inside or vent stale air and condensation outside.
The simpler design makes it an affordable option to the Hike Crew fan.
This fan is the perfect option for smaller rigs that want a small-profile exhaust fan. It has only a 6″ diameter, making it one of the tiniest fans on the market, it’s manually operated, discrete, and affordable.
If you’re looking for a reversible fan that cools, this isn’t it. It only sucks out the air of the vehicle.
If you’re looking for a simple RV roof vent that doesn’t have any fancy features, the Camco RV Roof Vent Kit is a great option. This vent comes with a standard 14″ x 14″ opening, and it’s made from high-quality materials that are built to last.
The vent is easy to install, and it comes with all the necessary hardware, so you won’t have to make any additional purchases. The vent’s interior dimensions are 10 x 10 x 4.5 inches, and it weighs just 2.87 pounds, making it very lightweight.
What products are needed to install a RV roof fan?
In addition to the fan kit, you’ll need something to cut an opening in your roof like this multi-purpose angle grinder, self-leveling lap sealant, putty, a scraping tool to remove the old product (if you’re replacing an old fan), and acetone to clean the hole before installation.
What should you consider when shopping for an RV roof fan?
Before purchasing a RV roof fan, there are several factors you should consider like size, price, electrical wiring, and features.
Dimensions
Make sure you measure the size of your RV roof opening to ensure that the fan you purchase fits properly. Most RV roof fans and vents are designed to fit a standard 14” x 14” opening, but there are some exceptions. The actual dimensions of the unit will be larger than the 14”x14” hole.
Price
RV roof fans and vents come in a range of prices, so it’s important to set a budget before you start shopping. You can buy new manually-operated roof fans starting around $125 on Amazon.
Consider how much energy the fan will use, especially if you plan to use it frequently. With that being said, most of these fans use relatively little energy when in use compared to their household counterpart.
Features
Consider additional features like an auto-close function, reverse direction, multi-speed, a remote control, color choices, and integrated lighting.
How do RV vent fans work?
RV vent fans work by drawing air in from the outside and expelling it through the roof vent. This helps to circulate the air inside the RV, which can help to keep the interior temperature comfortable and fresh.
Can you add a fan to an RV roof vent?
Yes, you can add a fan to an RV roof vent; however, for the cost, you may as well buy an RV roof fan kit that has everything you need right there. Manual operated roof fan kits start as low as $130 and can be bought online with fast shipping (see a product example here).
The vast majority of RV roof fans and vents come in 14” by 14”. While there are exceptions to the rule, a quick search on the internet will confirm this. There are a few small exhaust fans (single direction), like this 6″ dome fan.
Yes, roof vent fans are definitely worth it. They help to keep the air inside your RV fresh and comfortable, which can be especially important if you’re traveling in hot or humid climates.
What colors do RV roof vent covers come in?
RV roof vent covers come in a variety of colors, including white, black, cream or beige, and smoke gray. By far, the most common colors are white and black.
Conclusion
Let me know in the comments which RV roof fan you installed in your RV or why you didn’t install one at all.
An RV roof fan or vent is an essential accessory for any RV owner. It helps to regulate the temperature inside the RV and remove excess moisture. When shopping for an RV roof fan, it’s important to consider factors such as dimensions, price, wired or wireless options, energy usage, durability and quality, and features such as auto-close, remote control, and lighting.
Overall, an RV roof fan or vent is a worthy investment that can make your RV life more comfortable and enjoyable.
Related Content
If you are looking for other RV product reviews, then check out these:
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan. Thank you, if you do. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This site is not intended to provide financial advice and is for entertainment only. Read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy.
