State of the Fleet 2024

I posted a comment under the video, but I'll reiterate here. I'm going to be "that guy" and go against the flow. You should absolutely NOT scrap the bus and finish it. The bus videos (as well as the pandemic daily series) are among the best in your catalog. They show a real creativity to solving problems and creating something new as opposed to just fixing an old thing. While it is a big project and frustrating, the amount you learn from solving those projects is way more useful (to you AND us) than tinkering with some old car that you'll enjoy for a few months then never see again. As a fan of yours for a while, who has a Peecadabus on my shelf, it would make me angry to not see that project finished. Especially if it is tossed because of some other Soviet car or weird electric prototype that's not even a practical vehicle. Those are not very interesting videos because they aren't very creative. You're just "restoring" the cars to make them work again. If there's anything you ought to declutter, it's the Codas and Wheego and other weird trinkets taking up space that have sat forever. Those cars are awful and they won't get any less awful no matter how much work you put into them. Like, I fully get that it's not "fun" anymore, but I think most of your projects aren't "fun" anymore. The Escape is a bit of a boondoggle, the woodshop has been collecting dust after that fantastic dust collector project, 6 months on the TWIKE?! Really? I'm fully in support of you, Robert, you make great things. But the direction seems really scattered lately. Of course, I bring my own biases in here, I don't enjoy cars that much. Creative projects, sure, but I'm not a "car guy" like that. But mechanical stuff has always interested me so it was great to watch you go through the process. If you don't feel the bus project's original goal of an RV and car hauler makes any sense, then change directions! But don't just scrap it, that's such a sad end to a really great idea.

Personally, I love the bus, but if you aren't getting any more dopamine out of it, I can't blame you for abandoning the project. I own a Peecadabus and a window piece, they're fun conversation pieces and I cherish them. I think I'd like to see the bus completed, but I'm more than okay if you don't do it. Maybe Jared from Questionable Garage wants a crack? Just spit balling ideas here.

Ah, there's a comment section here as well. Nice. I will then merge my 2 comments from YouTube, maybe you're reading the ones here more often that there? :) 1. Don't sweat it. The bus can easily go away, we're here to watch YOU do crazy things with the cars. If you don't feel like doing it anymore, just drop it :) 2. I completely don't care about the bus project. The only reason I was happy you have been working on it was that you were building the Escape to test the powertrain for the bus. I'm rooting for hte Escape project, I'm damn excited seeing someone that can build a custom electric powertrain and just drive it. It reminds me that electrifying mobility doesn't mean people will be forced to simply buy stock vehicles and drive them without any altering, tuning, power-swapping engines etc. like we did in the decades of the past. To be honest, I was skipping all the bus videos recently since they were boring, with miniscule progress per video, and often in a not-so-interesting domain like "hey, a guy built a metal wall". All your other videos are damn more entertaining to watch, so if they're also more interesting for you to make them - just go ahead with that.

If you’ve lost interest you should drop it. Declutter your space and your mind so you can give the attention to the projects you’re passionate about.

I vote change the direction of the bus from full electric to Serial Hybrid. Edison Motors in Canada finished Topsy and is starting a retrofit program.

I definitely vote drop the bus (and finish the Escape!). But as everyone has said, don't do things for us, things will be entertaining as long as you're interested in them. And you write a good script.

I wouldn’t mind you dropping the bus project. I think the Escape is way more interesting. I’m across the county, but happy to be a second set of eyes on the Escape (even though I have no experience). Sometimes it’s helpful to explain/look at things from scratch.

Robert, Time to declutter the stables. Keep what pleases and discard that which displeases. All my best. - Tom

The bus videos were fun, but I understand if you've lost interest. A lot has happened in five years. That said, it might be fun to see someone (anyone, really) finish a bus car hauler project... If that's not you, then it is what it is!

For whatever it's worth, I'm in the St. Louis area and would be entertained helping with the bus project. I know it can be helpful to get a kick in the butt to finish something if someone else is working on it with you. I have a shuttle bus I've gutted and converted to an RV. It's all fiberglass and I didn't do nearly the amount of dismantling that you did on your skoolie, but it's something I'm pretty passionate about. Send me a DM if you want help with it.

I posted this comment on the video but I'll post it here as well: I mean I'm definitely bummed you're not finishing the bus (partially beacuse I've always wanted to do a bus project and I've been living vicariously through you lol). But I also don't think you should make yourself miserable over it. Maybe instead you could change the goals of the project, like abandoning the electrification of the drivetrain and just finishing the RV part and then pass it on for soneone else to figure out the deck/lift/ramp situation...but even that is still a ton of work. If you end up abandoning it completely it's not the end of the world, and your other content is still great.

👍 to ending the bus project. And I hope your Escape ECU issue resolves soon!

Two thoughts from me: 1. I enjoyed the bus videos, but I would not enjoy watching more if I thought you were only doing it for 'us'. If it's not working for you anymore, move it on and enjoy your new space. 2. If it's possible (and something you still enjoy), it would be nice to see you mixing more old-school mechanical videos in with the electric stuff. I am totally there for the mad Escape project though and wish you all the best for solving that issue! It's just that I'm one of the nostalgic weirdos that found your channel through the Trabant and Saab videos and hope to see more of those types in the future if it suits you :)

If the bus project isnt exciting anymore, throw it out. Can only speak for myself of course, but I cant imagine a Robert doing videos about things he isnt acually excited about. Yeah, if its not fun, let it go. No problems with that.

Dropping the bus project seems really sensible, especially given it doesn't excite you any more

As I hit 30, and understand how ADHD and I dance with one another, the most magical thing I am learning is the power of letting go. I love the bus project and all the videos that it spawned. The bus is one of the main reasons I subscribed. It radiates The Wild Thornberrys vibes of a perfect utility vehicle fitted to your needs. At the time. It still is, just not as a bus. It can now serve as a fun rippy apart toy and make it useful to others. Your needs may now be just to use it to declutter your shop and mind and hyperfocus on a new crazy project with all the hot nonsense we have all learned from the bus which will spawn more glorious Robert videos. Whichever decision you make will be the right one. Im excited to see what it is!

I’m not sure I ever realized how tall Robert is until seeing him stand next to a full size F150 in this video. Re: the bus, my favorite videos are working on the various projects but with your collection of oddball old cars, those should remain plentiful!

I mean, I like the bus videos, but if it's not fun for you it's not fun for us. I think you've made up your mind on that, you don't want to finish that project. That's ok, you'll make other interesting content. I've particularly liked the old Trebant engine rebuild and Saab engine rebuild/upgrade, along with all of the various shop upgrades and "smaller videos". Several of the small fixes in this video, like the Coda and the Polski Fiat could have been their own videos. I would love videos of you fixing up the Trebant again, fixing the master sylinder, replacing the seat, fixing the wiring etc. I'm also hoping for more Under Dunn content to crop up some time in the future. But I don't think that what we want should be too much of a concern for you. You should pursue the projects that interest you, and some viewers will love it and some won't. There are always people coming in and people leaving depending on context and some people staying for personality. But if you are having fun, that shows on screen, and that makes it more fun for everyone.

fyi betterhelp has had a number of scandals and issues with selling patient data lately in addition to not really helping like they should, so maybe not the best sponsor

I think its been clear for a while that your enthusiasm for the bus has gone. If you're not into it, I say scrap it. Part of what makes your channel, or really any channel enjoyable, is the natural excitement that comes across when you work on the things you love. If you don't love the bus, its time to leave it.

Scrap it! All the reasons you gave for decommissioning the project are good ones

Starting a new project is easy, finish them is hard

I definitely think dropping the bus project is a good idea. Continuing to work on a frankly massively complex project when you have no personal motivation to do so anymore sounds like it would just be awful. I also think the teardown and scrapping video to cap off the project would be interesting, and leave you with alot of useful space the bus would no longer be taking up.

No shame in dropping any projects that you dont have a passion for, especially the bus which was conceived at a different time for a different reason. I understand how that can be painful. We all come here for YOU, YOUR infectious laughter, YOUR style of presenting. We come for you Robert.

I’m not going to lie I’d be very sad to see the bus go but then again that’s also a dream of mine. The bus project was always one of my favorites but I do understand if you don’t want to go forward but might I suggest getting some help. Another person can help an unbelievable amount and helps with motivation. I am in the middle of a Popup camper renovation turning it into not a Popup and without my friend I might have stopped and definitely wouldn’t be where it is now (under a tarp for winter) but if you choose to continue it get it useable as soon as possible and deal with the finer details later. Put the panels on but who cares if they are perfect? Put an interior in who cares if it’s the final form? Keep it not electric for now so it can drive anywhere and see where that takes you. That’s the route I’m personally taking with my camper for your same reasons. I was about to give up on my camper last year before I spent some time thinking about what annoyed me on it then thought what if I made it not annoy me and what would it take? Why make it fully perfect when I can use it sooner. Then next thing you know I’m working on it again. I say give it another chance but I’m not you. Even if you got someone to do the rest of the panels so your not only doing the same tedious task for weeks is fine do the parts you like it’s still your bus and a little help is never an issue.

1st things first: I recently lost my grandmother (last grandparent) and I love that little bit of story. Time to start making the memories we’ve relied on, I suppose. 2nd; I’m not bothered by you giving up on the bus BUT I would like to see your efforts not turned into scrap. You did put a lot of work into the concept and set up a really solid foundation that someone could build on. Overall, I do think that it’s a project with a wide audience appeal. You’ve got some contacts with the wider automotive YouTube community. Would it be possible to give it to one of those channels? I mean, I’d certainly follow the bus project and send some extra Patreon money to another content creator. Heck, once they finish the automotive stuff, they could come back to you with some custom woodworking needs for Under Dunn to help finish out the inside. It’s just a thought. The End….or is it!?! 3: The section on the Coda should have been last. Because…coda.

Give up the bus. It’s an oddball and quite frankly doesn’t really fit your style. Compared to the Robin or the Polski Fiat or the Solos (wtf?) it’s almost normal and boring. I’d much rather see the Escape progress than the bus

Give up the bus!

First: Your grandma sounds pretty awesome even beyond the gifiting. Giftening? Gift. Part the Second, If you're actually not sure about the bus: The Escape project was originally a test bed for a drive train for the bus, if I recall. Rather than use it as a test bed, use it for data. What you learn through that project may very well tell you what you need to know about the bus project en total. Let it sit in the Bus Dungeon and don't let it contaminate your thoughts until you've got the Escape comfortable. After that reconsider the whole project; what you actually want, what you think you can achieve, and what might make good YouTube fodder. Maybe it's not a car carrier. Maybe it's a portable stage? Maybe you'll start a space program with a bus-borne rocket stack? Maybe a portable hot tub business? Perhaps that's the project, but it's not your project. Part the Second, if you are sure but worried about the community: Project is dead as 8 track. Where the parts end up would be an interesting video, I think. Being tied to a project you don't want to do is no fun for anyone, and the other comments seem to back this up.

Scrapping the bus would leave more time for videos of small funky cars, which is what I particularly like. So scrap away!

I know you didn't mention it in your video, but it totally makes sense that, when you started the project, big road trips to pick up cars in a home-grown RV with space for you AND your family was a really attractive idea. Now that you aren't a part of that family anymore, it kinda didn't make sense anymore even then. YOU were always okay with the solo road trips - it was just for THEIR livability and ability to join in instead of being away from them. I would say, have no guilt giving up on the project. Its original purpose is no longer a part of your life, it takes up a lot of space, it's HARD, and it may not even be complete for another 5-10 years even IF you continued it. If dropping the bus means more interesting videos that are about other vehicles, I would be happy to see it go.

Hi Robert, it sounds to me that the bus is no longer feasible. Dropping the project is probably a wise decision.

The bus is such a ridiculously massive project that without true motivation and passion from you it's simply never going to be finished no matter how hard you would try to force it. Letting it go will free you, and the space, to make the videos you'd actually want to make, and those will be more than worth a single discontinued project.

Dropping the bus project would probably the best long term solution. Between fitting out the interior, finishing the exterior, electrifying the driveline, and all your other projects, it could literally be years, or decades before it's done. It was a great attempt, and enjoyable to watch, but banishing the large looming hulk in the bus dungeon makes sense.

i think getting rid of the bus would a good thing :) sometimes things get overwhelming and less is more

Making sure you see this: On Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5vbfJSSSuc&lc=UgyAmrC4SChwo1guypp4AaABAg suggests that the fuel tank on the Fiat may be getting vacuum-locked. Does the problem resolve itself if you take the gas cap off?

I would be sad to see the bus go. I like see things finished. It just makes my brain happy. However do what you need to do. Bus or no bus I am here for your videos.

Robert, there is a thing called a school bus figure 8. Take the bus to one after making some basic walls to make it within regulations, and beat the snot out of it, do a demo derby. it can be fun, and possibly content.

Dropping the bus project is perfectly fine ESPECIALLY if it’s due to lack of motivation, YouTube is meant to be fun and if you’re not having fun then (in my opinion) you aren’t doing YouTube right. Personally I’m much more interested in the escape project and that seems to be quite a few people’s opinion in the comments of the video itself. A lot of us (including myself) are here for Robert; your humour, your explanations of things and ultimately how interesting and knowledgeable you are of what you do. At the end of the day you’ve decided what the outcome of the bus is and I wouldn’t let anyone stand in the way of that!!

put the bus engine in the wheego

Dear Robert, When the Polestar gets to 80,085 miles, please share a photo of the large milestone. ;) ;) ~ Allan

Totally fine if you're not into bus stuff anymore.

Regarding the bus, drop it without guilt, just don't let it sit idle rusting if you to, clear it out of that space. That way you'll have more room (both literally and mentally) for other ventures that bring you more joy. :)

You have already decided on the bus - you fell out of love with it. Personally, I am here for Roberts, not busses. So, out with it :) Maybe somebody wants to take it as a whole.

I’m okay with you scrapping the bus (literally) so you can get grandpa’s truck inside. Much better use for the space.

I lol'ed at the Orwell reference about your pickup truck. Re. the bus, I'd be bummed not to see it finished but you have good reasons for letting it go. Are there other creators who *could* use an RV-car-hauler-conversation-piece who might be willing to pick up the project? Or ones willing to take over and then sell the end result?

Don't throw away the steel of the bus please! It would be REALLY cool if you could cut it up, identify where each part came from and sell them to us! It should be the piece and a "map" of where that piece belonged. I dunno, just throwing an idea your way. I would buy it.

Love this video; great work. Your bus: It was exciting, but we were all different people 5 years ago, living in a different world. Grand projects are great, and I think the grander the project, the more compelling a story can be made around it. But if this one isn't you anymore... that's okay. It sounds to me like shedding projects and focusing on the...erm... focus... might be a great play. Grandma: It took me a lot of years to understand what you just described in your grandma. Having the experience of 90 years of life, having settled the affairs of friends and relatives... seeing the agony and mental toll that a never ending probate process puts on loved ones... fights and ill will spread among the surviving ligitees over who gets what... the best thing you can do is shed as much of your property as you can while you enjoy your sunset. Your grandma wants to give you the pieces of her legacy that you would enjoy and use most. Enjoy her companionship as best as you can.

Robert, I sent you a message here on Patreon, I may be able to help you with your cooling plates and whatever other laser cut parts you may need. Take a look and let me know if I can help.

RE the bus, I was interested to see what path you were going to take with the car-hauler, and electrifying it, but you're taking on these challenges and bringing us along the journey in different ways (electrifying the escape for one example). Marie Kondo that shit. If the bus isn't sparking joy anymore, dump it.

re: the bus, there's absolutely no shame about dropping projects that you don't feel the same drive for as you once did. It's actually great that you recognized this and were able to (maybe) act on it in time before you took an even bigger step! that being said, maybe I need a motor or trans for a new project. ;)

I'm here mostly for the weird cars; the bus project isn't keeping me around. If decluttering it frees up time/space/energy/mental bandwidth for projects you're more into, I say...how long has it been since destruction video?

Great update! I think you hit the nail on the head about the bus. When it's not fun it is time to pass it along and not look back.

Excellent intro. Loving it.