We love the Sled Zeppelin.
Motorhomes are our favorite at Moto1.com. We also love crazy projects which transform something mundane into an extraordinary machine. This black dog, which you can see in the video above, could be the most complete custom build we have ever seen. We mean comprehensive. This cleverly named Sled Zeppelin was originally a Blue Bird school bus.
But it’s even more than that. The video above from Sled USA shows that Ryan Phillips, a hardcore snowmobiler, bought the 1990 Blue Bird bus for $500. It was used in a local school district, and only had 23,000 miles. The bones of the bus were in excellent condition. It is not a school bus. The frame was removed and only the front clip and swing-out door were left. But wait! there’s more.
It was not only about building a cool motorhome but also one that could store snowmobiles, fuel and parts. A tandem-axle Freightliner Freightliner rig was used to replace the Blue Bird’s full-size frame. This added 10 feet to the bus and an additional axle, creating a 16-foot heated garage at the Zeppelin’s rear. You can access it either from the front or via a huge folding rear ramp. And yes, underneath the garage floor, there is a 100-gallon fuel tank that’s used exclusively for gassing up your toys.
As you can see, the whole project, including the walls, was custom-built. Even the Blue Bird dash had to be ripped out and reconstructed with aluminum. The loft above the cab houses a large bed and a second master bedroom. The living area is three feet high and can be expanded by a slide-out wall. A large kitchen includes everything you need, including a large sink. You will also find a toilet and sink in the bathroom.
The 12-volt battery system provides power, but an on-board generator or shore power hookups can also be used. 600 watts can be provided by solar to provide off-grid power. All electrics are also custom due to the Sled Zeppelin’s unique nature. The Blue Bird’s 5.9-liter Cummins diesel engine was not quite powerful enough. A larger turbo was installed along with water-methanol injection. Finally, a custom intercooler was installed that sticks out Mad Max at the front. It’s no longer a problem.
The cost of this project was far more than the $500 initial purchase price. The video doesn’t mention the total cost of the build, but we don’t think there is a better way to enjoy motorized play with snowmobiles or ATVs than the Sled Zeppelin.