Converting a heavy-duty bus/coach/truck into a motorhome (page 26 of 161)

I agree with you, Christian06—depending on the brands (and thus the composite in the middle), the expansion coefficients can vary.

In any case, the solution isn't ideal.

PATRICK26

I was wondering: for insulation, is this reflective film (made of PE sheets with foam interspersed, available in 3, 5, or 11 layers)—the process shown at http://www.campingcar-amateur.com/pag_site/isolation.htm—the way to go?

Otherwise I saw this kind of material at the agricultural fair, in an annex area showing everything for home insulation: ALP Isole and Europ Isole make this type of product, but you know how trade shows are—you don't get all the information.

Is this better than foam?

Is it useful to combine foam (large panels of 1.50x0.75) between the frame members, and the film near the false ceiling (and the same on the side walls)? You need to be careful to leave a 2cm air gap on each side of the film.

How do you insulate the floor of a bus?

Hi, can you tell me what the approximate timeframes are to get approval from the mining authority? I want to convert a coach into a home, and I'd like to import it from Belgium to convert it in France. Thanks!

You'll need time for the conversion, plus an appointment beforehand to discuss with the DRIRE engineer about your setup—call them now, it's better. Otherwise you've got the plumber who needs to come by and Veritas to inspect everything: expect a 2-month wait before inspection, etc. ... plan for 6 months to a year overall.

Be careful with Belgium—they don't have vehicle safety inspections, so you could end up with a bad chassis like a forum member's VanHool. I'd recommend getting it inspected at the French vehicle inspection authority first, though it remains to be seen if that's possible.

Hello Patrick,

I'm currently finishing my business degree, and I want to sell fully renovated buses. However, I have absolutely no idea about the cost of this type of service. I'm sending you some attached photos of what I'd like my bus to look like. I really do want to commercialize this bus (it's not just a whim) because it's a genuine professional project. Can you send me your contact details so we can get in touch? Here are mine: 06 09 20 30 29 boublic@hotmail.com

Thanks in advance BOUBLI Cyril

Thanks so much for your advice Aleri

Well, don't buy a Saviem!

Order directly from Vanhool (www.vanhool.nl) without seats or extras—just ask for an engine and chassis with the frame rails and uprights, exterior color, and carpet. It should cost around €100,000

Hello everyone! I've been following this community for a year now and wow!! Thank you all so much!! Thanks to you all, I've picked up a Scania S53 and I'm heading out to do humanitarian work in Eastern European countries. I'm really going to need some serious help from anyone willing to pitch in. So here it is. I've got a 1983 Scania S53 with 950,000 km. I want to convert it to heavy-duty status to do humanitarian aid work and organize shows in orphanages. We're carrying clothes and sound equipment to set up electronic music parties along the way. The bus has 950,000 km but it's always had amazing maintenance—I think it'll hold up to bring some sunshine to these kids. Thanks to everyone.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLE REGISTRATION?

WHAT PROBLEMS MIGHT I RUN INTO AT BORDERS AND WITH FERRIES IF I HAVE A BUS WITH HEAVY-DUTY REGISTRATION?

HOW DO I SET UP MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM? I HAVE 3 SOLAR PANELS OF 100W AT 24V?

WHAT'S THE COST OF INSURANCE?

WHAT MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE SHOULD I PLAN FOR BEFORE AND DURING THE TRIP?

THANK YOU ALL—YOUR HELP WILL BE REALLY REALLY USEFUL BECAUSE ALL OF THIS IS TO HELP THE ORPHANS.

Hi everyone,

I'm the owner of an S53 and I'm in the middle of converting it. Is it possible to put a wall between the driver's seat and the passenger seat? Of course, while respecting the door sizes that the regulations require, because I'd like to try opening a passage from the cab to the living space.

Thanks for your answers—the mining engineers and their paperwork are bugging me a bit.

kalifamily

Thank you so much for your advice, Regards, Elpidia.

Hi François 57, do you know where I can find the plans and measurements for the S53?

You need time for the conversion + a meet-up beforehand to discuss your setup with the DRIRE engineer. Call them now, that's better. Otherwise you've got the plumber who needs to come and Véritas to check everything: 2-month wait before the inspection, etc... plan for 6 months to a year.

Watch out with Belgium—they don't have technical inspection, so you could end up with a rotten chassis like that VanHool from a forum member. I'd suggest you get a mines inspection in France first, though we'll have to see if that's possible.

Hi everyone, we're new to the forum but have been following it since we bought our VANHOOL 815. We have a question that's bothering us: how can we insulate the windows if we don't have the manufacturer's permission—they specifically told us not to touch the structure?

Hey, just to be clear, what I'm about to say is just my opinion and shouldn't be taken as gospel, but in my view the windows aren't structural elements. Replacing them with sheet metal, if done properly, shouldn't cause any problems, as long as you respect the emergency exit requirements. Which means: think your plan through carefully before you do this work.

Thanks cateludo. I think I'm going to call my manager and ask them the question. For now we've kept the front windows from stock because we don't have a driver's door (just in case!!!). Thanks again, I'll keep you posted. bye bye, pandrée

the house on "peneux" from dream to reality.

Hi, with my bus search keeping me busy, it's only now I can thank you for your advice on finding an FR1. But I've just bought one closer to home—I'm hoping I made the right choice! FR1 type E, year '87, 840,000 km, one owner, perfectly maintained, bodywork in very good condition, just needs a paint job. 6,000 euros all-in. The seller also has a PR 14 that's inexpensive and apparently in good condition.

Converted bus for sale: http://www.campingcaroccas.com/annonce_campingcar_occasion_3172.html

Hi everyone, I'm sorry—I'm new here and didn't have the courage to read all 23 pages of this thread, so you may have already covered my question: Can you convert an articulated bus the same way you would a standard motorhome? Something like a Mercedes O405GN or Setra SG219 SL? You can find them everywhere on secondhand sites and from transport companies, but is it legal?

My dream, being an enthusiast and only 19 years old, is to buy an articulated bus and convert it into a motorhome. (! The greatest dreams are those of our youth! Plus I've got all the time in the world to work out the details and present my project! 😎) From what I've read on bus forums, it seems a Lyon-based engineer managed to convert an articulated bus, creating a loading ramp on the back of the trailer and space for a small car. But in my opinion that's still quite an exceptional achievement!

The thing is, the handling on motorways or fast roads might not be tolerated, even though once you remove the limiter an articulated bus easily reaches 100–110 km/h, and factory deliveries to transport companies happen on 4-lane highways.

Do you have any info or know of similar examples on this subject?

Best regards, A guy from Brest😉

45,000 euros—you've got to be joking!!

come on, some people are completely out of touch!!

for that price I'd buy a barn, two buses, and outfit them under the barn! !

Would anyone be interested in a 1992 609 D Heavy Truck, converted and certified for 9 people? See the classifieds section for used equipment. It's a bulletproof vehicle; the setup is really well designed so everyone has their own spot, day and night. We've outgrown it—our 6 kids are leaving the nest! Don't hesitate to reach out.

Okay, quick question for patrick26: Given my bathroom layout, I'd have liked to put just a small high opening, like 60x30. Am I allowed to do that, considering the nearest emergency exit is exactly 1.50m "as the crow flies" from my bathroom door? Good evening and thanks for your answer.😉