Converting a heavy-duty bus/coach/truck into a motorhome (page 20 of 161)

Hi magnétique,

I have a friend who runs an association for discovering the digital and internet world and has converted a bus into a computer classroom.

for info: contact me or visit his site http://www.les-enfants- du-net.org

PATRICK26[/rbonjour hello everyone, I visited the Les Enfants du Net website, I would have liked to learn more about how the satellite connection is set up since the bus changes location at each stop... and I'm looking for an s53 fitted out for winter and a charming driver!😉

Thanks for the info, I'm off hunting right now...😉

For the Children of the Net, contact them directly—they're really nice.

Computer enthusiasts. Their phone number is on the website. Hello everyone,

PATRICK26

Hello, I'd like to know if putting a caravan on a Mercedes 911 chassis causes a lot of steering problems (RTI?) because I've finally found the 911 and I have the caravan to put on it. Thanks for any feedback. Cheers, Philippe. Email: philippegui@wanadoo.fr

Hi everyone I'd like to introduce myself - David, 30 years old, married with 3 kids (6, 4, and 2) I've been following this discussion with great interest - it's really interesting and goes on... Anyway, here's my issue I want to invest in a bus, but I don't know the models I've read that people talk a lot about a Saviem S53 I think it'll be a good model to start with What's the difference between an S53R and an S53RX? Do you perhaps have any documentation you could suggest? Now for the interior setup, I have lots of ideas but it's pretty vague at the moment. Could you send me your builds to give me an idea of what's possible? ;))) And give me some new ideas And one last thing - I'm planning to live in it year-round in France and abroad Is this legal (with my tax address in my bus :))))? That's all for now I'm giving you my email address to not clutter the forum marcazim@yahoo.fr Talk to you soon David

urgent: I'm going to the DRIRE on Tuesday but I don't know where to find the chassis and engine numbers, could someone help me??

hi marcazim

the difference between the S53R and RX is the generation the R models were manufactured between 1979 and 1986, they have the black plastic grille with the big Renault logos and the gear shifter on the dashboard, the next generation the RX have the metal grille and the gear shifter on the floor, no other known difference as far as I know!! ps I could send you photos if you want but if you search through the old messages there's already quite a few.

for living year-round in the bus with an official address in the bus I can't help you I'm officially at my parents' address but I live in the bus all year long

ben

Hi,

I think the location is marked in the red section on page 2, article 10. On my '88 S53, it was just below the windshield, behind the grille, on a steel pillar. But the DRIRE inspector should find it right away, no problem. Hang in there—it'll be over soon, it'll work itself out… Just on merit.

Hey, You're right, the location of the numbers is marked on the red stripe. Make sure to spot and clean them for the inspection, or you risk a re-inspection (I learned that the hard way)

thanks he just asked me for the chassis number which is very visible behind the radiator grille

for info regarding the driver's door: i added a window-breaking hammer the window fits the dimensions in question! no problem at all

so here's the DRIRE report!

the few points i need to review it went really well i don't have the complete file yet just a few formalities left to handle! i didn't put the labels on the road-approved seats i'm also missing a gas certification sticker that needs to go near the installation (Véritas forgot to give it to me!) i had an expired fire extinguisher (but i already knew that but since it's apparently going to be classified as a truck they're asking for a 5kg one but they're going to check they're not sure!) the tachograph is set to 100km/h with a 100km/h certification to modify it it's just a screw to adjust inside the tacho + get it certified by an approved garage (it's the Renault truck garage 1km from my place that gave me the info and is doing my certification tomorrow!) technical control: that's the new thing with the DRIRE system you need the technical control to pass the DRIRE but the vehicle no longer matches the registration certificate so it's normally impossible to pass so i'll go to the control and they'll indicate the modifications don't match the vehicle the rest the DRIRE will take care of

finally just minor stuff after that i can send them the documents and photos and everything can be done without me going back to the DRIRE! and even if i have to go back i won't have to pay again!!

that's all!

Hi,

I've also considered building a camper van from a bus. I even went to visit the end-of-life vehicle stock in south Montélimar. Alas, faced with the condition of the buses on display and lacking the skills, not having found reliable advisors, I resigned myself to buying a standard 'profile' motorhome instead. Too bad, because as you say, it would've been much better to have all that extra space.

Hey, the tachograph thing is annoying, since you don't need it afterwards. I managed to get through the DRIRE just 3 days before the 2-year inspection 😎 and before my CT expired 1.5 months later 😎😉 True, I had to rush the work - I'd filed the paperwork before finishing the modifications (silly move, but it actually saved me time) - I finished the bus at 5 AM and had an appointment at Véritas at 8 AM (1 hour drive) 😎cool... shower, coffee and off we go 😄

PS For a motorhome, the fire extinguisher should be 1 or 2 kg not 5, check the AFNOR guide for the road seat labels it's a requirement (requested in the application), they even made me add "seat not usable while driving" on the bench bed.

Safe travels.

Hi everyone. I own an '85 S53R that I'm currently converting, and I need some advice. The 4 heaters inside are connected to the engine cooling circuit if I'm not mistaken. I'd like to know if they're wired in series or in parallel? Thanks in advance

Hello everyone. I have an S53R from '85 that I'm in the process of converting and I need some information. The 4 heaters inside are connected to the engine cooling circuit if I'm not mistaken. I'd like to know if they're connected in series or in parallel? Thanks in advance

Hey tat056, I'd also like to know more because I'd like to clear them out, so if someone or you tat, if you could help me out that would be cool I have the same problem as you thanks kali

Heating in any vehicle is always in bypass—otherwise how would you turn it off in summer????🤪 A vehicle's circuit is at 80° when running.😊 Come on, a little common sense—I admit it's cold but still! 😮😕 Put on a cap, a hat, a beanie, drink antifreeze or whatever you want, but don't let your brain freeze.😏 MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL🙂😉

Hey everyone, Well, I'm not really the truck type, but let me explain—it'll make more sense. I'd like to build a wooden "house" on a truck chassis, but not the small kind (for anyone familiar with Jane Litdz's book "Houses on Wheels"). I'm not totally sure yet if it's actually doable, but I'm checking with a carpenter buddy... But honestly, if it doesn't work out, I'd be happy to settle for converting a bus instead. I'd like to know if it's easy to get around in this kind of vehicle, find parking spots, and especially what kind of license you need??? Thanks! (Especially since I don't know anything about mechanics yet, but I'm eager to learn!) Jude

Hello everyone, hello Sage Patrick.

My Nenette downloaded the forum for me from your first message. Glory to you and glory to all; but on the other hand, I've got 10 years of reading ahead to understand what we're all talking about 🤪

To make it short, we're south of Bastia, the sea 200 meters away, and 100 ... an S 45 GT in more than satisfactory condition (Photos to follow). The sale hasn't closed yet and we're scraping together every penny, but it will be ours, I swear.

I'll get back to you after I've read through you all properly (You and everyone else, by the way—THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for this breakthrough cutting through all the hearsay and the supposedly's)

I want my ark too 🙂

Cheers to all, Egon and Kawa

Well, I've got some time to ramble on... I'm a coach and bus driver—both tour routes and city routes—and let me tell you something. A bus is like a mouse: if the head gets through, the rest will follow. But it's all about having a good eye, and if you go down a narrow passage, you'd better spot it quick before you have to back up 100 meters, shake up half the city, throw out some choice words to stay sharp, and worst of all—you'll get yourself noticed! And as they say: live happy, live quiet! To the question "Is it easy to get around with a 12-by-2.35-meter block, find parking, and deal with all the other joys that come with it?" I answer yes without any hesitation. But why would you want to????? I've only ever driven buses and tour coaches in a professional capacity. So I got to enjoy those reserved bus parking spots—it's pure bliss! I'm convinced a camper bus would be cleared out within half an hour, not by official traffic wardens but by one of my fellow drivers or by me with a friendly shout, because those spots are lifesavers for someone who actually works—and yet paradoxically occupied (pardon the bluntness) by the local crowd. THERE'S NO EXCUSE FOR IT. Relax, I'll explain; sometimes I have a bit of free time to spare an hour or two. I've always managed to find a spot where I wouldn't be spotted by the old lady with her howling poodle. (Sorry to you too, ma'am, but you're a valued customer when I'm working, and suddenly when the shift ends you turn into a goat!) And here's another thing: those secondary spots are much nicer for a long vehicle like a camper bus. You're rarely far from town, and even if you are, you've still got public transit—heh heh. Come take the bus, come take mine! All joking aside, when I do my shopping, I prefer taking my PR-14. In supermarket car parks there's always room for everyone. If it were a camper bus, I'd definitely need to plan for a backup vehicle—a moped, scooter, or bike. As an anecdote: I've done my time in big cities (Nice, Reims, Paris, ...). Even while working, I always had an old bike tucked away. Let me tell you, you should've seen those old-timer drivers' faces when they had to walk a quarter hour just to get a pack of Gitanes. I got a real laugh heading down the Promenade des Anglais with a swim shirt on under my jeans! When it comes to parking spots, there's always one thing or another—you get the idea. One downside though: those wonderful signs saying "No Camper Vans by Order of God and Municipality"—that's when you're forced to move on! And these delightful signs pop up like mushrooms! What about zones for traveling people? I've heard that a town with more than 3,000 residents is supposed to have them.... eh

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum and wasn't sure where to post this topic, but ultimately I think this is where I'll get the most answers.

I'd like to buy a bus for my rugby club to transport the team for matches and other trips. But with my budget, it would have to be a standard city bus, like a Heuliez PR100, GX107, or R312.

I've read through the 18 pages 😕 and there are still a few things I'd like to ask: I was thinking of replacing the standard bench seats with Renault 25 seats, but is that legal? Since these are usually buses with lots of standing room and about thirty or so seats, can we add bench seating?

And finally, one last question: decoration—has anyone here tried repainting part of the bodywork? Just to personalize the bus for the club.

I'm going to try to get my TC license through Fongécif, and then ask the club for a minibus so I can use it for trips and break even on the bus over 4 or 5 years.

I'm looking forward to your comments. And if I'm off-topic, I'll move this message.

See you, Pierrot

Hey Rugbi-man, you read too fast! I mean, 18 pages—by the time you reach the end you've forgotten it all, especially with all the contradictions and re-assertions...

Anyway: forget about that idea, you can't turn a bus into a coach. It'll only pass inspection with the original seats in their original positions! So look for a coach being decommissioned—school buses get retired between 15 and 20 years depending on the département, and you'll find them in good condition for 2000 to 2500 euros max, and you won't have anything to do. (Decommissioned buses from public and private operators are still usable by associations—check with your local DRIRE or look at tour coaches that are already equipped.)

For décor: 2 options—paint (DIY if you know your stuff, or take it to an auto body shop) or vinyl wrap (any vinyl signage professional can handle). The advantage is micro-perforated vinyl for the windows; the downside is the cost. But for a rugby club, surely you've got sponsors?

That's all, happy holidays!

As for seats, forget it - it's either the original seats or certified seats meeting current standards = expensive, mandatory seatbelts, certified anchor points <= hard to find!

For the radiators, I was told they're in series, not parallel. In summer we don't run the fans so it doesn't heat up! But you just have to remove them, put the hoses back underneath and connect them with a piece of copper pipe - it's not hard to do except for the one at the very back, where underneath you hit a badly-placed partition. Mine comes under the bed, so I just slipped a piece of copper pipe under there and don't have any issues.

PS - I haven't taken the others apart yet, but they're in my conversion where they don't bother me right now, and I checked and apparently nothing's blocking anything underneath!

We'll see.

Anyway, I'm still waiting for a response from DRIRE but it should be fine!!

My supervisor has signed it - I'm just waiting for the 2nd signature from his colleague who's on vacation. (For certification, you need 2 DRIRE staff members to sign the file!)

ben