The pictures need to be updated as they don’t accurately depict the condition of the bus. While not in terrible condition, you can tell it has been well used. The electrical system needs to be re-wired/updated. Throughout the van, there are cigarette style electrical outlets that are very worn out. Nearly all the outlets wouldn’t work without manipulation of the plugs/outlet. The portable AC unit didn’t work at all. It would have been nice as we rented in the hottest part of the summer. There is a refrigerated cooler in lieu of a mini fridge. The lid would come apart during use. We didn’t use the water/shower, so we cannot speak on its functionality. The flooring is soft in some spots, there is visible water damage at the roof fan, and there is exposed wiring. Overall, the van has a ton of potential but we wouldn’t rent again not recommend it to anyone until the issues are fixed.

The bus itself was in okay mechanical condition apart from a check engine light that the owners said was a sensor issue. The wheel shakes when braking, and it shifts rough when coming down in speed. The build had a lot of issues. The batteries were not connected to the solar system, which Jimmy promptly fixed the next day. We were lucky enough that our first campsite had power so we didn’t lose all of groceries immediately. The MaxxAir fan leaked a lot of water into the van every time there was any rain, the shower floor is cracked apart, the generator isn’t secured and tipped over while driving and leaked gasoline inside of the bus, and there are mice in the bus that crawled on us in the bed and we had to hide any dry food we had in our suitcases. The build is not how it looks in the photos, and the differences were not disclosed prior to getting the vehicle. The fridge is a cooler with a condenser and an off/on switch, the sink faucet is loose, and shower is a mess of loose grout and doesn’t drain properly. The listing says it provides cooking utensils, but things are scattered everywhere and it included one tiny pot and pan, and one plastic spoon to cook with. There was also old food in the bus when we picked it up. The owners were responsive during the trip about the issues for the most part, but unresponsive once we returned the rig. They knew that the ceiling leaked, and the generator had tipped over for a previous customer and they were still working on “securing it.” We didn’t get the generator add on in the first place, and there really shouldn’t be gasoline inside of the vehicle at all, especially in combination with a propane stove. I think the rig is unsafe to rent, and unfortunately the issues impacted our trip quite a lot. Jimmy seemed very kind and met us where we were parked to fix the solar connection, and Meg was responsive for the most part but the bus is just simply not what is described. I don’t believe the previous reviews are legit.

We rented Skoolchella for a week-long trip in July, driving from Bozeman to Butte and then on to Yellowstone. Overall, it allowed us to have a memorable and affordable way to see family, and a national park, but there were some bumps along the way worth mentioning. When booking the bus (over 6 months prior to our trip), we purchased the late check-out to work around our itinerary and our departing flight. Unfortunately, the host canceled it the day before we left because she hadn't looked over the add-ons until then, and it caused a real headache as we scrambled to replan parts of our trip. On the plus side, she did accommodate our request for early check-in, though as luck would have it, our flight was delayed and we weren't able to use it anyway. Picking up the bus had its own hiccups. She gave us her house address rather than the alley address, which made finding the right spot more confusing than it needed to be. We were surprised to find the fuel gauge reading “E” upon pickup, requiring an immediate stop to refuel before we could really get on the road. This is an uncommon experience for us with rental vehicles and added an unnecessary, unplanned inconvenience. While fueling up, we realized the camp toilet (included on the “Fully Stocked Bus” add-on) wasn’t in the bus, so we had to circle back to grab it. Mechanically, we noticed a few things. The tires were slightly dry rotted, which isn’t a problem, but a little concerning. The larger issue, was that the inner dually wheel was completely bald. It felt a little unsafe on some curvy mountain roads because the likelihood of a blow out is much higher in that condition. The windshield wipers only had one speed, on or off, and the blades were pretty worn out. The host had mentioned recent service had been done, but the check engine light was on the entire trip, which was a little unnerving even though we didn't have any actual mechanical breakdowns or issues. The "fully stocked kitchen" was missing some basics. Simple things like a spatula or measuring spoons would’ve been helpful. We also wish there were reusable cups for hot drinks included. Overall, we think everyone has their own kitchen preferences, so if the host just listed out everything included on the bus, it would have made the world of a difference for us. The cooler was a little smaller than expected and had a hard time keeping things cold (camping in early July without constant power). We made the assumption the folding table, shown in one of the images, was included and it is not. I only say this because some of our stops didn’t have a picnic table to use. We didn't find any instructions for the solar setup either, so we had to figure out through trial and error that it only worked in direct sunlight and only powered certain things. This isn't a criticism of the host, but I think it's important for future renters to acknowledge that the vehicle doesn't have a traditional passenger seat. Passengers ride on the bench-style couch, which sits quite high. As a result, taller passengers may have a limited view out the windows, which took away from some of our sightseeing. Had we thought more about this seating arrangement ahead of time, we may have chosen a different vehicle. One suggestion that would improve the experience for future renters would be to provide a printed instruction guide in the bus and/or include more detail about the power system in the listing. The listing states that the bus is powered by solar, but we didn't realize that the electrical system appears to rely on direct sunlight to generate power. Based on our previous experiences with solar power, we expected there to be a battery that would store energy for use when the sun wasn't shining. If there is a battery, we may have misunderstood how the system operates, which is exactly why a simple guide or a more detailed explanation would have been so helpful. If there isn't a battery, we think that's an important detail for future renters to know before booking so they can plan accordingly. That said, there is plenty of positives to Skoolchella! The mattress was comfortable, though anyone over 6 feet tall might find it a tight fit. We had plenty of blankets for the cool nights. The add-on generator was new, quiet, and easy to start. Important to know for other travelers, national parks (and probably most camp grounds) do not allow generators to run overnight, so plan accordingly. The “Stock the Bus” add-on was a nice touch as well, giving us snacks and plenty of water at the very start of our trip. Also to our surprise the bus came with a Bluetooth speaker, phone mount for the driver, USB C cord, and 12V USB adapter, which were all nice extras. Overall, this rental served its purpose and offered an affordable way to explore Yellowstone. With some TLC and more details from the owner, Skoolchella would make a perfect way for any couple to have a great, unforgettable, and unique trip. We hope our feedback helps the host continue improving the experience and for future renters to have more clarity before starting their trip.

We rented this bus for a 12-day trip through Montana and Wyoming. We expected an older converted bus to have some quirks, but not the number of maintenance issues we experienced. From the beginning, the bus was in significantly worse condition than the listing suggested. There was no host present for check-in, the rented camp toilet was missing from the bus and still full from the previous renter, and several advertised features (window screens, blackout curtains, and the pictured refrigerator) were not as described. Throughout the trip we dealt with a leaking and failing water pump, a nonfunctional water heater, repeated failures of the 12V electrical system that disabled the refrigerator and water pump, a service engine light, major roof leaks during rain, a roof deck board coming loose while driving, a mirror and ceiling panel falling, and a deteriorating shower floor. We reported the major issues during the trip, and the host apologized and told us she would work with Outdoorsy to provide a refund for the inconveniences. This vehicle has numerous maintenance problems that substantially impacted our trip and should not be rented in its current condition. I cannot recommend this rental and would strongly encourage prospective renters to consider other options until these issues have been thoroughly repaired.

We had the best time! This was the perfect way to get around and enjoy the national parks. Such a fun experience.