Safety On The Road: The Top 10 Safety Items to Keep in Your Shuttle Bus Build
Look, I know this is a van and not a shuttle. But this is what you should be thinking about when you think about “where will I be why something goes wrong?”. It’s almost always somewhere like this. Be prepared!
When you're traveling in your DIY shuttle bus camper conversion, safety can and should be your top priority. No matter how much planning and preparation you do, there's always a risk of something going wrong on the road (ask me how I know). By keeping some essential safety items in your rig, you can minimize the risk of accidents and ensure that you're prepared for any situation. Here are some safety items that we highly recommend leaving room for in your build.
Top 10 Shuttle Bus Conversion Safety Items
First Aid Kit. One of the most important safety items to keep in your rig is a well-stocked first aid kit. Accidents happen, and having a first aid kit on hand can be a lifesaver. Make sure your first aid kit includes bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, pain relief medication, and any other necessary items for your particular needs. We bought this one before hitting the road back in 2018, and it’s come in handy a few times.
Fire Extinguisher. This is a must-have in my book. In the event of a fire, a fire extinguisher can be the difference between a small incident and a catastrophic one. Make sure to have at least one fire extinguisher in your rig, and know how to use it in case of an emergency. We opted for a compact car/marine model that we’ve fortunately not needed to use. Another suggestion - make sure you know exactly where your extinguisher is at all times, and never bury it in hard-to-reach storage; every second counts if a fire breaks out.
Carbon Monoxide Detector. It’s absolutely tragic that carbon monoxide poisoning takes the lives of campers every year. Don’t put yourself among those ranks. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be lethal. If you're traveling in a rig with a gas stove or propane heater, it's beyond essential to have a carbon monoxide detector to alert you if levels of this dangerous gas are too high. Place the detector near your sleeping area for maximum protection, and keep in mind that carbon monoxide doesn’t rise, it sinks. We’ve trusted this model from Kidde for every rig we’ve had (and we might suggest a propane detector like this one as well, we have this in our bus and feel much more comfortable with it running.
Emergency Flares. An underrated addition to this list in my opinion. If you're stranded on the side of the road with a broken-down vehicle, emergency flares can help alert other drivers and keep you safe. Keep at least three flares in your rig and make sure you know how to use them in case of an emergency. Trust me, you’ll be thrilled other drivers can see you if you break down on a busy road at night.
Flashlights and Extra Batteries. Running out of power while on a trip is nearly a right of passage for shuttle bus dwellers. When the sun goes down and you forgot to check your battery capacity, having a reliable flashlight can be a lifesaver. Make sure to keep a couple of flashlights and extra batteries in your rig to help you navigate in the dark. We have a couple of rechargeable headlamps that work great for this.
Tool Kit. If you’re doing your build yourself, this one should come at no surprise. A well-stocked tool kit can help you fix minor issues that almost certainly will arise while on the road. Keep essential tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, and duct tape in your kit - even an all in one set like this will do just fine; in fact we started with something very similar (and upgraded as we went).
Portable Jump Starter. We’ve had tons of battery issues over the years, and though roadside assistance is nice to have in these situations, a jump starter is quite a bit cheaper (and won’t leave you waiting around for a tow for three hours).These devices are compact and easy to use, making them an essential item to keep in your rig. I recommend the one we bought for our bus as it’s a 7.3 powerstroke diesel and needs a LOT of starting juice, but a smaller engine may be able to use something even more compact like the Genius brand chargers.
Spare Tire and Jack. A flat tire can be a frustrating and potentially dangerous experience. Make sure you have a spare tire and jack in your rig, and know how to change a tire if necessary. If you want to travel in a vehicle you’ve got to learn the basics! Bonus tip - if you have duallies, you can take one of the back wheels and temporarily use it in the front of your shuttle bus in case of a flat.
Backup Camera. A backup camera can be a useful safety tool, especially when backing up your rig in tight or crowded spaces. We had one that worked for quite a while and we LOVED it. However it died within less than 6 months, so I won’t link you to it. I’d recommend either this mid-priced model or this lower priced one instead, as we’re hoping to replace our existing with one of those.
Personal Safety Items. Lastly, don't forget to pack personal safety items such as a whistle, pepper spray/bear spray, or other self-defense items. These can be essential tools for personal safety in case of an attack or an emergency - while we meet an endless amount of wonderful people, we’ve met a few that convinced us having items like these is necessary for peace of mind. This can also include firearms based on your level of comfort with carrying one in your rig.
Traveling in your DIY shuttle bus camper conversion will be a fantastic experience - trust me. It’s fulfilling, eye-opening, character building, and awe-inspiring. But in between the moments of wonder, it's important to be prepared for any situation. By keeping these essential safety items in your rig, you can stay safe and be ready for any unexpected events on the road. From one nomad to another, safety first!