Adventure has always called to Chris Penn. At just seven years old, he declared to his family that he would one day live off grid in the woods with his dog. So, it’s no surprise that today, Chris and his dog, Kobuk, roam the country full-time surrounded by nature in a converted school bus powered by the Cummins 8.3L engine.
For nearly nine years, this bus has been more than just a vehicle to Chris. It’s been his home, a basecamp, and a resting place for him and Kobuk. Choosing to build a life inside a moving home is no small decision, especially when that home has to handle mountain passes, backroads, and unpredictable terrain. From the beginning, Chris approached converting his school bus into a home with intention, knowing that reliability and durability were non-negotiable. After extensive research and conversations within the skoolie community, he landed on what many consider the gold standard: a Cummins 8.3L engine.
The Cummins 8.3L engine has a well-earned reputation in the bus conversion and traveling community. Specifically, it showcases a long-lasting build and user-friendly maintenance with the key feature of a wet sleeve cylinder design. This design means if there’s damage inside an engine cylinder, owners don’t have to replace the entire engine block — just the sleeve itself. This design makes repairs less costly and less invasive, an invaluable feature for travelers with a life on the road.
When it comes to maintenance, Chris is hands-on with the basics like changing oil, swapping out radiators, and addressing minor issues like water pump failures and oil leaks.
With nearly a decade on the road, the Cummins 8.3L has lived up to its reputation, only needing one larger repair, which Cummins facilities handled efficiently. This level of reliability has made it possible for Chris to focus on what truly matters to him: why he chose this path in the first place.
For Chris, this journey has never been about just the mechanics or the miles. It’s deeply rooted in a personal ethos and a commitment to living a life that is authentic to him. A nomadic life isn’t just a choice he made, it’s a mission to live genuinely and inspire others to do the same.
He’s found deep camaraderie with a community that shares this unconventional path, and his mission now includes guiding and inspiring those who are curious about doing the same. Whether it’s a young mechanic hoping to hit the road or a family looking to downsize and reconnect, Chris’s story resonates because it is authentically him. Through every mile, Chris and Kobuk continue to explore the world side by side, proving that you don’t need four walls and a lawn to have a home — just a trusty bus, a reliable engine, and a dog who’s perfectly happy with a lifetime supply of bus naps and scenic views.
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