Converting a heavy-duty bus/coach/truck into a motorhome (page 16 of 161)

SORRY I didn't proofread and it's full of spelling mistakes !😕 Pretend there aren't any I'm embarrassed GX47

Hey everyone,

I'm new to this site and I've got to say, I'm really impressed by what I find here.

For me, no fancy Mercedes LT35 or Iveco trucks—just a little Kangoo I picked up from France Télécom, which I'll use for windsurfing and surfing from Brittany to the southwest.

What kind of insulation do I need? How do I attach wood to the bodywork? Plus, it's a real mess—it's full of curves.

Does anyone have plans or tips on this kind of conversion?

Thanks, berthou.s@wanadoo.fr

Thanks for the info, I'm going to explain my project to you basically, because since you seem to know about this, you might be able to tell me if it's feasible or pure fantasy. By the way, if anyone has ideas to suggest, that would be really great. Anyway, I want to convert a Heuliez GX 37 bus—about 35–40 seats—into a tattoo salon and living space, and I'm wondering what the authorities would think of it, whether it would pass???? (I hope so!) Because the laws about tattoo salons are pretty vague, there's nothing stopping me from setting one up in a bus, unless there's some sneaky regulation I don't know about, lol. And if anyone happens to spot a bus like the one I'm looking for, please let me know, because right now I can't find anything at all.

Normally, tattoos are on the outside of buses, but here it's no longer about looks—it's about spray cans 😎

Hi Allys, With the DRIRE they'll probably give you the same answer I got: "we've never done this before, you're the first; you need to create a special dossier, based on a dossier you first have to create, that we'll review, and based on that we'll create a dossier for you"—it's ridiculous but that's how it is. I wanted to build a sleeper coach with a living section and an equipment section, but that would have taken 3 years of red tape for a result that might not even be approved, so I just went ahead and built a motorhome instead with lots of storage, eight seats with a table, and a large entrance area. I don't think anything prevents you from using your motorhome for work? Check with your insurance. As for the GX37 there was one for sale at www.Gaby-Chariots.com with 266,882 km, Telma, mounted on a Renault JN1E24 (like mine)—a good vehicle but outdated in terms of driving (not smooth; mine has a mixed suspension in the rear with air and leaf springs), but in terms of steering, stability, and gearbox (the clutch is stiff, the gears are stiff) IT'S A 1980s CONSTRUCTION TRUCK! There are some on Iveco bases, but watch out for parts; also the engine is bigger: 18 hp instead of 15 hp, but I was told it struggles even more than the Renault and it's less comfortable; the cabin access is even worse, I tested it, and you sit lower than in the R., and it's smaller (29 seats). Too bad you find them everywhere (often ex-military). Watch out and avoid the JP1E12, it's a unique model with the front door ahead of the axle, made for a private individual by Heuliez who can't provide the certificates and authorize its modification (only good for a collection!) Otherwise search GX37 on Google. And don't forget to check "Charges Utiles Magazine" every month—a magazine specialized for collectors of buses, tractors, trucks, and commercial vehicles (light and heavy). If I see something I'll pass the info on to you😉 There are also small Setra 37-seat coaches, but you really need to check with the manufacturer (for reclassification authorization) and your DRIRE (for modification authorization). So far, old Heuliez models are always OK, plus the person in charge is really nice and knowledgeable.🙂 See you, GX47

I just checked out the Gaby-Chariots website, the GX37 is no longer there 😕 but they've got a nice Setra 210HT with DRIVER'S DOOR, the DRIRE should love it! Give them a call anyway, you never know. Also try Team-Négoce—they search for vehicles. But watch out for the prices. @+ GX47

Hello,

There are 2 S45s for sale on www.lys-tout-terrain.com, it's a military vehicle sales site. You've gotta love the green color....

And does the ZX run well on cooking oil....?

Have a great weekend...

Regarding the Heuliez from Gaby - Chariot, I was already aware of it, but when I called they told me they'd already sold it the day before! Anyway, thanks a lot for all your info—it's going to be really useful. Later, allys

Hello everyone 😉!

WOW, I just stumbled upon this forum by accident, and I'm absolutely thrilled. I haven't read all the messages yet (only 3 pages so far) because it's getting late, but I've already found tons of interesting stuff, and I'll be back soon to read the rest.

For several years now, I've had the idea of converting a bus into a "rolling vacation home." All this time, I've already got tons of ideas in my head and on paper (sketches, rough drafts). I should mention that I've worked on film sets, and that taught me a lot. I've seen some amazing dressing rooms (for actors) in vehicles and trucks, and I've even slept in them! (a preview in the attached image) And don't get me started on the "utilities" (bathrooms, showers)! My camera was working overtime back then, and not just pointed at the actors.

Now I have six kids, and it's really hard to take a family vacation (I'm talking about the financial side—hotels are expensive, and tents aren't ideal for the little ones.) Plus, long car rides are boring and exhausting for them! When we visit my parents (200 km away), we have to drive back the same day because we can't fit everyone at their place, and the kids are exhausted and cranky by the time we get home.

So I've finally 😛 decided to make this dream come true. I can already see it finished. And besides, it's high time! We haven't taken a family vacation in five years. (I'm talking about a real vacation with a capital 'V,' not just weekend outings.)

For the past few weeks, I've been searching online for a bus for sale (in Belgium, France, even western Germany or Holland). I just went through more than 30 Google pages (which led me to this forum), spent another 4 hours on it, and still haven't found what I'm looking for. There are some out there, of course, but the prices don't work for me. I've been unemployed for two years, plus a small stipend as a volunteer firefighter, and while I'm not exactly rolling in money, I'm planning to roll in a bus for our next vacation!

Maybe you can help if you know of any leads. You mention "bus salvage yards" where you can find them for less than 3000€—are they worth it? As long as the mechanics are in good shape, I could be interested. I'm not afraid of bodywork and interior renovation, and anyway, I have the time to work on it now!

I'm open to any suggestions and all links.

Thanks to everyone for your help, and see you soon!

The S45 I want is the rounded version, not to be confused with the S45R you see on gaby chariots. You can get a preview on www.saviem.com, amateur site.

There was the S45 in 1964, classic version, then the S53 with an extra seat lengthwise, that is, an extra small window section behind the driver.

Then a facelift around 1975 with the S45R S53R version, where they raised the bus and made it more square at the top, then finally the RX versions around 1985, grille color-matched to the body.

The one I'm looking for is the S45 or the S53R, but no RX. If possible, outward-opening windows. For the S53R, that's not a problem, but I'm looking for complete window frames that open outward, to swap with the standard emergency exits with glass-breaking hammers. I want to be able to open my windows without adapting a system.

For the ZX, it's my dad's, so I can't experiment...but it should work without a problem. See

2 bus models like the one you're looking for are for sale at Team Negoce.

Don't have the website address off the top of my head, but if you dig around a bit you'll find it.

PATRICK26

I've been reading your posts regularly since August. I finally decided to jump in. I'd like to get your opinion on a bus from Germany. I know it's probably going to create extra headaches... it's a Käsboher Setra visible on WWW.philipp-trucks.de/html/stammblatt/ab%20juli%202002/... I'd like to be able to register it as a 9-seater and finish the interior conversion. (I haven't had the listing translated yet. if any of you speak German, don't hesitate) I'd love to hear what you all think.

thanks in advance, A+...

I'm ready with my complete file, essentially thanks to a few forum pillars. I recently contacted some of them by phone. I've searched and continue searching on my end, but today it's really getting urgent for me... So I'm looking for help from those who share my passion. Here's the deal:

So there it is - the old file is finally ready / Bus purchased / €2,750, 300,000 km, new batteries / New air bottles / Brakes redone / Vehicle inspection passed perfectly / Valid until 02 October / New spare wheel... I'm satisfied / Good solid chassis for a mountain enthusiast / Roof rack.

Now the little problem is that this S53R from 1979 (long wheelbase) still hasn't been downclassed from HGV and I only hold an HGV license. So I'm putting out an appeal, as you can imagine, and it's really getting urgent since I want to avoid another inspection... budget-wise... I'd rather save those little finishing touches for the end of the project than spend €250 on an inspection for nothing upfront.

I have land to park it for 3 months at a farmer's place while I get it downclassed from HGV and work on the chassis (Paris region) after that.

It'll then head to Brittany / INTERIOR-TRANSFORMATION-VASP CERTIFICATION / END OF PROJECT - the starting point of our life project - it's all there... old road warriors, a beautiful companion to keep us on the right track and let's do this... let's not regret not having done it.

For now I need to do a one-way trip Saturday 1st October from Grenoble to Gonesse north of Paris - about 600 km / The bus hasn't been driven for a year so I'll take it easy, frequent stops. If we leave in the morning, arrival expected by evening. If someone from the community could come... what a joy!

Of course I'll cover the costs / meals / hotel if needed / gas obviously.

We could meet up the evening before in the Grenoble region or leave together from Paris by train the evening before / quiet evening / dinner / rest... and off we go for a new adventure... for now the available solution is less ideal.

In any case, thank you to everyone on the forum - without you I wouldn't have gotten answers to my questions so quickly. A moment of solitude, certainly, but what a joy...!!!!!!!!!

Hi, I'm new here. I bought an S53 last July, with which we traveled to 26 in Serbia (buying the bus was cheaper than renting). Now I'd like, like everyone else, to convert it to a motorhome (9-seater). I've read the pages above which really helped, but I still have some questions to ask.

- What are the best budget solutions for water tanks, water pump, and water heater?

- Is a partition between the living area and the cab absolutely necessary?

- Is there a specific standard for high and low ventilation when you have gas? I'd like to put the gas bottles in the rear trunk—what do I need to modify?

Those are the plans for now. Since the bed folds up against the windows, it's not clear in the drawing. I've tried to make something a bit airy and modular, keeping some space for... I don't know what. Do these plans seem coherent to you? (There's no toilet—it's intentional)

if you want a spacious bus, why not take a double-decker bus from Berlin? My dream would be to buy an extended bus and a double-decker bus. Link the lower part of the double-decker to the extended part of the other bus to make a small garage. I reckon I could register it in Germany (after a long fight). Cheers @++

billy

Hi everyone, I wanted to know if you knew the rough dimensions of a double-decker Berlin bus and an articulated bus extension. Thanks

Billy

Hey there!! I'm in the same situation - I'm going to convert a bus or truck into a motorhome to take a little trip across borders. Do you have any small tips for me? Do you know where I can find cheap camper equipment? THANKS!!

Hello,

I'm a professional and I'm going to convert cargo vans into campervans (VW Transporter T5) and I'd like to know about Swiss regulations in this field. Could you direct me to your mines department or equivalent service? Is there any documentation or books available? If so, what are they called and where can I get them? I live in France near the border towards Geneva.

Best regards

Yes, I'm interested in the bus. Please contact me at my email markimsa@voila.fr and possibly with some photos. Thanks and hopefully see you soon

I want to know more information. Is the engine still good? Does it still run, is there work to be done? How many meters is it? When can you send photos of the inside and outside? Here is my email address: markimsa@voila.fr Thanks and see you soon.🙂