Converting a heavy-duty bus/coach/truck into a motorhome (page 14 of 161)

Hi everyone, Regarding a bus fuel tank, what's the capacity in liters and how many km can you expect to drive on normal fuel consumption? I'm asking because on eBay there's someone selling the so-called 1998 France team coach (120,000 euros, way out of my budget of course...!) and I noticed the fuel tank holds 450 liters.

THANKS FOR YOUR REPLIES, SEE YOU SOON!

Hi, I read a post from October 2005 by sputnick He said he gets 22-24 L/100 km With 450 L that's around 1800 km if I'm doing the math right. But with diesel prices, we're practically paying a month's rent for a full tank I was hoping to save some money, but that didn't work out If anyone has some tips, don't hesitate

I thought about the 19T, but I'm not sure if I can drive on weekends since I work during the week. You're lucky—they just said you were a troublemaker, but they told me I should be locked away with my wild ideas, and that later I'd end up selling baskets by the roadside.

Yeah, except that seriously messes up the oil, McDonald's has its own recycling setup, you gotta filter to 5 microns if I remember right, and it's better not to get caught. Here's the penalty breakdown: if you're at 50% you're in the biodiesel category so you pay a hefty fine PLUS the fuel tax on the ENTIRE mileage of the vehicle. if you're at 100% well that's a tax issue if you've got a good lawyer since this fuel isn't approved in France so technically doesn't exist but you still pay a fine for running an unlicensed product not authorized by the manufacturer (says Diesel on the terms & conditions) even though the first diesel engines ran on oil (flax oil I think) Here, just to keep this thread from getting locked for content meant to incite...etc...etc... that said it doesn't pollute, and on private land it's all good😛 Anyway I didn't say anything...I'm out!😇

hey everyone... Yeah, 22-24L/100km is my consumption in steady, relaxed driving :) (a good 90 km/h) sure, a bus (coach) drinks fuel! but no more than a heavy truck. On an S45, the tank holds between 150L and ~200L depending on the model. Fuel consumption depends on driving style and road type... If you're flooring it in the mountains, fuel consumption goes up. I worked as a driver seasonally in the mountains on a recent coach, and it showed me peak consumption of 180L/100km!!! It was an Ares loaded with electronics (unreliable in mountains at -20°C)

The near-term future solution is to run on rapeseed oil (economy, ecology) or other alternatives, see: http://www.roulemafleur.free.fr/ It's entirely possible to run on vegetable oil without modifying anything. With the caveat that in winter, oil tends to paraffin (solidify)—unless you have good-quality oil or rig up a fuel heater...

Long-term, I hope that alternative solutions (electricity, hydrogen, etc.) develop quickly.

Try rolling an avocado if you know any oils to cover yourself 😛

No, I'm joking, but avocado oil should also work, it's clearer (from a notary 😉)

I have the same problem, but there's a solution. You can run on fryer oil—recycle oil from McDonald's or other big oil users, like Flunch and others. You can run on 100% vegetable oil. You just need to add a pump, a filter, and something to heat it up. Otherwise 50/50 mix, no modifications needed, especially if you have a Bosch pump. l'alchimiste

Sorry, I hadn't seen you were already talking about oil. I missed the boat on that one (LOL).

As for filtering, a pool pump with filter costs almost nothing, and apparently it works really well, plus it's electric

Do you have more details on that? Do you do it?

I thought about it with the 19-ton truck, but I'm not sure I can drive on weekends since I work during the week. As for you, you're lucky—they just told you you're crazy. Me, they told me I should be locked up with my crazy ideas and that later I'd be wandering around selling baskets on the roadside.

No problem for a private individual. If you're not operating it commercially, normally no problem. Call the prefecture to be sure.

No, just joking, but it should work with avocado oil too, that's clearer.

If you have a plan, share it! I don't know about avocado oil...

All set! 😉 DRIRE approval came through for me—and on my wedding anniversary, no less! I had to add some fluorescent/retro-reflective plates (April 2006 standards, plus 80/100/110), stick an "unusable seating in traffic" label on my custom bed bench, remove a seat with load recalculation and redistribution, and ditch the seatbelts due to the age of my chassis (1985) and vehicle (1986).

Only catch: I'm in transition with my paperwork, so I've also got to wait for my new Carte Grise (registration) to legally drive it. DRIRE didn't hand me any certificate actually proving anything—I've just got my file in process. I don't have my purple card anymore, just the old TCP registration, so I'm stuck right now. 🤪 A TCP vehicle can't legally drive without that purple card (though I did manage to get back like that anyway). I could try driving with a copy of my full DRIRE file and take my chances—but nothing proves it's even been officially filed!? Anyway, the main thing is getting that YES. Feels amazing. 🙂 And what a relief. That's all, folks. Safe travels everyone! GX47

Well done, congrats! You win! Bingo! Big up!

To drive it, that's definitely at your own risk. That said, the purple permit—not many cops know about it! (or ask for it) Your call. Watch out for sARKO 'n' co!

bravo, congratulations! you win! bingo! big up!

For driving, it's definitely at your own risk and peril. At the same time, the purple card, there aren't many cops who know about it! (or who ask for it) It's up to you. Just watch out for Sarko and co! aka Little Nicolas...

Wow! Now that's good news, that's good news!!!!!!!! Congratulations! In the end it was less complicated than I thought. Just hang tight for the registration paperwork and then you're all set for the roads of France and Europe without going too fast (no speeding lol...) HAPPY TRAILS TO EVERYONE

Congrats on your DRIRE process - that really encourages me! I'd love to ask you a few questions. I have a 1988 Volvo C10M that I want to reclassify as a 9-seater and convert the rear into a workshop. The Montauban DRIRE is asking me first for the manufacturer's authorization, but I'm not modifying anything on the bodywork - they also want the driver's side door, which is already there! Did you need the manufacturer's authorization? I'm planning 2 sleeping areas - what are the potential issues? Honestly, I have tons of questions. Thanks for reading, and I'd really appreciate any tips you could share. Talk soon, Jean-Louis

Hi, in response to jcteam and everyone else asking the same question

Yes, manufacturer authorization is mandatory—there's no way around it. The vehicle is approved for one specific exterior AND interior configuration. (Strictly speaking: you remove a seat → you need manufacturer authorization)

I have a Heuliez and no issues there. The manager (M. Genest) is really nice and very competent, but of course he doesn't authorize everything. For me, he refused seat belts because the vehicle isn't equipped with anchor points. And he advised me to keep the original seats with their original fasteners (and DRIRE requires this! otherwise—you need to go back to the manufacturer and get road-approved seats with special fasteners and belts). Moreover, Heuliez is well-regarded by DRIRE as a serious company with competent staff. I won't name the brands DRIRE advised against on this post.

Before buying, I checked with the manufacturers and DRIRE—DO IT, they give good advice. DON'T BUY a vehicle from abroad if that identical model isn't approved in France! It's cheaper but you're fighting a losing battle from the start—you'll first have to get it officially registered! In the meantime, I'm stuck waiting for my official reception report to be signed (once the DRIRE chief gets back from vacation), so no 'coach-to-van' road trip for me. We'll do a little trip afterward anyway...

BUT as the alchemist said, read all 12 pages carefully—it's long but everything's there. AND CONTACT your DRIRE—things vary by department. AND DON'T GET RIGID with them if, like with me, they require seat belts in a 1986 coach. Because if they make a mistake, they'll correct it themselves sooner or later depending on whether you're friendly, and they'll look for something else instead—that's just how it works.

For jcteam: I don't know the Volvo. If workshop conversion with 9+ seats → extended cabin → mandatory new seat belts + load calculation. If sleeping area (unless removable) → motorhome over 20m² → ventilation, emergency exits, 2 living-area doors on different sides or large window... See AFNOR guide PLUS load distribution calculation. One piece of advice: ask your DRIRE for both documents (a week apart or from two different offices, then compare—plus call for advice). If you do what they ask, there's no problem. Unless the workshop is in rearward overhang—then re-manufacturer authorization.

Good luck GX47

Hi, I'm on my 2nd converted bus. The first was a Renault S53, very easy to convert. And the second a VanHool 815T, a bit trickier but practical. I had no problems with the inspections (gas, electric, bodywork, and the DRIRE). You can visit the vehicles on the site: http://camping-car-bus.monsite.wanadoo.fr Cheers.

CONGRATULATIONS, That's a really, really beautiful accomplishment.😉😊 Hats off to you GX47

Hey, your truck is awesome! If you could give us a bit more detail about the time you've spent in it and the overall cost of the conversion, that would be really helpful—that must have cost serious money... How long can you go without refilling water? Do you have solar panels? Can you live in it full-time? How did you handle all the window work—which bodyshop did you use? Is the furniture original campervan stuff?

To be honest, it's really cool.

I want one too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See you soon... Safe travels! And if anyone passes by my place, we can grab a drink!

Hi dyane25, We took a year to transform and convert it. The total cost, including buying the vehicle, is around 200,000 francs. Living as 4 people, with water reserves, we can go a week. I don't have solar panels. We decided it wasn't worth installing them because they're expensive, don't charge in cloudy weather, and don't produce enough in winter—which is when we need them most. That's why I installed a generator on our second vehicle. Yes, we can live in the vehicle for several months without any problem. The windows were replaced with 1 cm thick aluminum sheets. The cabinet fronts in the kitchen and the bedroom with the loft bed were custom-made by a carpenter. The rest was done by myself.

Hi, thanks for your reply! 200,000 francs—sure, not everyone can afford it, but given the results, it's definitely worth it. I figured the furniture must be custom-made for the solar panels. I pretty much share your opinion, but I think the generator is only worthwhile if you're heading out for a few days—otherwise it's just a money pit.

Was it you who installed the aluminum sheets in place of the windows, or did a body shop do it?

I'm guessing your 2nd vehicle is also set up to haul equipment and not just a generator—can you give us more details?

Sorry, I'm just curious, but it's also to help inform the others and give them some ideas. Catch you later, and safe travels!

Hi. I'm planning to convert a Vanhool bus from 1976 myself—would it be possible for you to send me photos to: lulu.4.lulu@caramail.com? Thanks in advance

Hi, why not post the photos on the forum? Everyone would be interested in that........ see you soon