9th Annual Skoolie Swarm

February 25–26, 2026

Event dates: February 20th–March 2, 2026

I attended the 9th Annual Skoolie Swarm following an invitation from founders Michelle and Travis Mattson, whom I met at VanFest. While talking with them, I mentioned meeting one of their members, Ace, at VanFest 2025 who had an AMSOIL Dual-Gard Bypass filtration system he was excited to show me. That conversation led to the idea of attending the Swarm and presenting a seminar on lubrication for the diesel engines used in many Skoolies.

Bringing AMSOIL to the Swarm

I asked my Direct Jobber and sponsor, Dan Watson, to join me for the seminar. Dan is highly knowledgeable in heavy-duty diesel applications, is Florida’s only Certified Lubrication Specialist, and previously ran a diesel magazine and forum.

The event began on February 20, but I was not able to arrive until February 25. Since the Swarm was near the SAVE Expo already on my schedule, it made for a convenient and enjoyable stop on the way.

An Oil Booth in the Campground

I set up my AMSOIL booth among the campers and trees. This was different from a typical vendor event, as the Swarm was primarily a gathering of people living, traveling, and sharing ideas around their converted buses.

There were no vendors, but some did sell the various crafts they made on the road, so I felt a little out of place at first with an oil booth in the middle of the campground. Still, several attendees stopped by to talk, ask questions, and learn more about AMSOIL products for their applications.  There was also a section for vans, many of which had attended VanFest earlier.

The Dual-Gard Bypass System

I was parked near the owner of the AMSOIL Dual-Gard Bypass System that inspired Ace. I had to take a closer look at how the system was installed and working.

The owner told me he had put approximately 200,000 miles on the bus without a conventional oil change. Instead, he sends in oil samples for analysis, replaces the filters at their recommended intervals, and adds make-up oil to replenish what is lost with the filter change. It was an impressive example of a properly monitored extended-drain program using oil analysis and bypass filtration.

Diesel Lubrication Seminar

Dan arrived the next day, and we held the seminar in the main dining hall. About 10 people attended, and the group was very engaged. We had planned to speak for roughly an hour, but attendees stayed longer and kept Dan busy answering questions.

By the end of the session, I believe many attendees had a better understanding of the benefits of synthetic diesel oil. Dan explained how AMSOIL heavy-duty diesel oils compare with the Mobil Delvac products many owners currently use, including performance and overall value.

Interest in Better Filtration

Several attendees were especially interested in the AMSOIL Dual-Gard. Seeing a real-world installation and hearing about the owner’s oil-analysis routine helped illustrate how cleaner oil and regular monitoring can support longer service intervals and help protect the engines that power their homes on wheels.

For Skoolie owners who put significant miles on their buses, a bypass system can be a worthwhile addition to an overall maintenance plan—especially when combined with quality synthetic oil, scheduled filter service, and oil analysis.

Life at the Swarm

The evenings brought plenty of activity throughout the campground. There were many families living on the road, so the event included activities for both adults and children.

The relaxed atmosphere made the Skoolie Swarm feel less like a conventional show and more like a community gathering of people who share the same lifestyle.

A Sweet Stop Before Leaving

Friday morning, I packed up my booth and prepared for the short drive to my next show. Before leaving, I had to make one final stop at the old Krispy Kreme bus to take a few pictures.

Of course, I also grabbed some of the Krispy Kreme doughnuts being handed out. You simply cannot walk away from free doughnuts—especially when they come from a Krispy Kreme bus.