Converting a heavy-duty bus/coach/truck into a motorhome (page 27 of 161)

The measurement is taken from handle to handle. The distance should not exceed 1.5 m.

otherwise, enlarge the window and position it less than 90 cm from the floor (if I'm not mistaken).

hoping that I've answered your expectations....

for info and for everyone else, my bus just came out of the paint shop! the bodywork is thus complete (rear opening, sheet metal welded in place of windows, etc), what's left for me is to install the windows, the holes were drilled before painting, reassemble the cargo hold doors that we'd taken apart to paint inside and out, reassemble the bumpers and put in place the new windshield and new rear lights and tint the windows with medium onyx. 2 short days of work and we'll tackle the interior installation which is almost ready in the garage....

for the electrical, a Sheiber installation with an inverter, 800Ah of batteries and a 3kW generator, so I've got the whole 220V installation behind a separation transformer that's in the inverter, and I'm not dealing with complications. cost of all the equipment, including the generator and batteries of 4800 euros and complete and permanent autonomy. (same setup as in big American RVs)

an additional 24V compressor at 8 bars will also be added to operate the louvered door that will be controlled from outside by a remote (like alarms) and a relay.

a few photos of the bus are attached.

GOOD EVENING TO ALL PATRICK26

Hello everyone I'm new here. Patrick26, you're doing an excellent job........well done! You all provide really interesting information.

So I'm interested in a double-decker coach for the living space (long stays and especially with mom, dad and two kids!) I've heard about Vanhool but the price!?!........ Could you recommend a model I can find that's not too expensive, doesn't use too much fuel, and can be converted? On the other hand, doesn't the height of double-decker coaches rule out a lot of routes in France and abroad, or is there still a way to go everywhere anyway? All information about double-decker coaches is welcome, no matter what!! I'm not picky ;-)

Thanks everyone

Double-decker coaches, we've already talked about them in this forum....

each floor is less than 175 cm high! it doesn't fit under all the bridges! it uses more fuel, obviously, given the weight and wind resistance! that must be the issue for homologation (emergency exits on the first floor in closed rooms? jump out the window?). etc...

a 'normal' coach already represents almost 30 square meters of space! a large part of the world's population doesn't have that much space to live with their family. there's already plenty to make a very spacious setup!..... and it's doable!

now, if you want to go that route, Vanhool's double-decker buses are called Astromega (avoid the triple-axle ones that are over 12 m and won't be able to be downgraded to heavy-duty).

at €15,000, you'll find one that's already very worn! I know one for sale for around €2,000 to €50,000 and it's got very high mileage.

go check out the Vanhool website.

PATRICK26

Ok Patrick You're right, we shouldn't aim too high. You're right. If you want, I'm still thinking about the choice. If it's not a double-decker bus, I'm thinking about the Renault S53 which isn't very expensive and apparently doesn't consume too much fuel (23L/100km I think on average) Length: 11.375m Width: 2.50m Height: 3.14m That's not bad already There are probably other buses that would work well (inexpensive, square shape, not too fuel-hungry) but I have to admit I don't know enough about them...

Once the bus passes inspection and changes category, do I still need a heavy vehicle or public transport license to drive it?

How much does everything cost approximately, and once the bus is converted, the category change, inspections, registration change, etc.?

What's the most advantageous category in terms of insurance, tax obligations, license, inspection, etc.?

As you can see, I'm currently studying the feasibility of my project. If it doesn't go over budget too much (time, money...), I'll go for it and make the whole family's dream come true!!! ;-) What joy to travel in your own home! Not having to pay for overpriced hotels that you're not necessarily happy with! Anyway...

Thanks for your answers, Patrick ++

Hi,

I'm new to the site and I'd like some information about a project I'm working on. I'm looking to buy a bus to convert into a motorhome for motorcycle competition. So there will be a motorhome section and a workshop area for working on and transporting the motorcycles.

We'll only be putting a few km on it per year and we're working with a small budget.

I have several questions that may already have been covered: Do I need a commercial/heavy-vehicle license (PL) or a coach license (TC)? Which model should I go for? Is there a DRIRE document for the conversion? And if so, where can I get it?

Thanks for your help and I'll keep you posted as things progress.

🙂Hey everyone, so when are those photos coming cateludo? For me I'm waiting until the end of the season to start the work😕

🙂Hey bastosyz450, You need a C permit (HGV). Check with your department's DRIRE for conversion plans For the bus, several of us have gone with Saviem/Renault (bus prices are really cheap, fuel consumption 20-30L per 100km)

Small correction - my bus is an S105R, not an S45

If I got anything wrong, let me know. 😉Cheers

In my opinion, the best bases are VanHool and Volvo B10. A Renault Carrier would work just as well.

For the other questions, all the answers are in the 24 pages of posts!

PATRICK26

Hey everyone

I use the forum a bit like a chat Question for patrick26

Once the bus has been through inspection and reclassified, do you still need a heavy vehicle license or public transport license to drive it?

Roughly how much would it cost all-in for the category change, inspections, registration change, etc., once the bus is converted?

What's the most advantageous category in terms of insurance, tax obligations, license requirements, inspections, etc.?

Well, for photos, you'll have to wait for another life, because in this one I'm hopeless with computers!!!😛 Every time I try, I spend forever on it and every time it ends the same way—it just doesn't work!!!🏴‍☠️

There's a Vanhool on eBay, right now: http://cgi.ebay.fr/CAMPING-CAR_W0QQitemZ4626561210QQcategoryZ79058QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Excellent But pricey !

Hello,

I just bought a 1977 Setra.

I've thoroughly read the 24-page thread looking for info on vehicle registration. Ours has been registered as VASP since June 2005.

I'm hesitant about downgrading it to collection status to avoid having to present it every year. The collection category suits my intended use, but I can't figure out how feasible it would be to re-register it as VASP later if needed, for travel or resale.

See you soon, thanks

Hey,

Don't do it, buddy – I speak from experience. I've been into old cars, bikes, motorcycles, tractors...etc for 20 years and founded a club in '89. Switching a standard registration to a classic registration is IRREVERSIBLE!!! 🙁 You're stuck as a classic for life! As of 01/01/2008, classic vehicles will have to pass a technical inspection every 5 years 😄😄😄 Now I laugh – I've been saying this to my buddies for 15 years, the ones who switched to classic to skip the inspection, and now for many it's scrap because a vehicle not kept in good condition (play in the ball joints, track rods, shock absorbers, brakes...etc) for over 10 years becomes a real headache. No more maintenance, no more spare parts sales, so no more parts manufacturing 🙁

You should know that originally, classic registrations were intended solely to allow you to re-register a vehicle that had been officially written off but later rebuilt. That's why you're limited to driving in departments bordering your registration department with the possibility of outings (max 12/year) that are monitored and only for car meets, rallies, exhibitions...etc plus you have to buy the permit logbook 🤪

In short, you're already lucky to be in VASP, stay there 😉 – a classic registration will ONLY bring you headaches (for example: banned from driving on Route 23 in Sarthe during the Le Mans 24 Hours)

PS: A vehicle with a standard registration can be insured as a classic. I personally have 28 vehicles with standard registration insured as classics. 😉

That's all folks! 😛 GX47

Thanks so much for the advice. As for me, I'm still hesitating because starting January 1st, the vehicle can be driven throughout the entire national territory, and technical inspections only need to be done every 5 years.

That said, I'm torn because I do see the waste involved in downgrading a vehicle that's in good condition.

Not to mention the restrictions coming down the line. And you're right: National Territory For now we're not talking about it — gotta attract customers — we're in a country of (over)consumption. The goal is to control the road network (at one point they were thinking about having ONLY vehicles on 'leasing') old vehicles --> to the scrapyard, collector vehicles --> to museums!

Just by the way: Nikoko almost got us to scrap our Jeeps and GMCs equipped with a mount or turret (even empty) or fitted with recovery equipment. Our club presidents fought and obtained clear language in the law exempting vehicles more than 30 years old (first registration) and more than 20 years old (last registration). (PS All Jeeps in their original condition have a gun rack bolted to the windshield --> was that taken into account???)

😮Sorry, I made some spelling and typing mistakes😮

THE BUS LEAVES THE GARAGE TOMORROW MORNING!

it's painted, the storage doors are back in place, the dashboard's been taken apart and repainted too (might as well!), and even the trim rings are on!

all that's left is the windshield (the installers arrive at 9am tomorrow), and then back to my parking spot to tackle the interior.

it all needs to be done by the end of May to give Veritas and the mining authority time to get me the certifications before the big test beginning in August.

photos as soon as possible...

PATRICK26

Hi Patrick,

Congrats, nice work, great success (especially the tough negotiations) and lovely decor.🙂😉 Glad you pulled it off where I didn't have the guts to push through. When I see your rear opening, it gives me a bit of the jitters... it was, as you know, my original project, so to save time and especially to make sure I got what I wanted, I took advice from our mutual friend at Heuliez and settled on the GX47 (I was lucky enough to have already found one and put a deposit on it). As he told me: "it'll always be possible to expand the opening later" (we've already agreed on a bodywork shop). If I manage it, I'll post a photo when I get it. Anyway, at least now thanks to you the door's open.😎 You deserve the credit for that. Okay, as for building a statue in your honor, that'll have to wait a bit, first I'll see if we can't rename the Champs Elysées😏 Okay I'm out😏

But first, what'll your category end up being? I wanted "truck lodging/equipment" (I was already off to a bad start😄) GX47

Hi everyone and thanks for your tips,

Being myself too – who would've thought!? – planning to convert a bus (actually two, with my brother) for an Asian adventure, I naturally read through this helpful discussion thoroughly. However, unless I'm mistaken, I didn't find an answer to this question:

What are the minimum modifications needed to meet an unspecified RTI type? Basically, just enough to be classified as a commercial vehicle and be able to drive (and insure) the bus with a Class C license before finishing the conversion.

Additional questions:

Patrick26, in one of your posts you mention three types: nspc, vasp nonsp, vasp autocaravane; could you clarify that please, especially since initially it would be the nspc classification that interests me.

Sputnik, you said you waited 2 years before getting your vasp qualification; what was your bus's status (gorgeous machine, by the way!) during that time?

Also, what do you all think about the idea of an RTI with a 'deepened cabin' (8 seats, a partition and that's it) with the option of later cutting a door in the mandatory partition (or even removing it entirely)? Does anyone know the specifications for that partition?

Obviously I could ask these questions directly to the DRIRE, but I tend to think that like with insurance, the less they know the better... I wouldn't want, having revealed my future plans, to end up being denied an intermediate RTI. If you think I'm worrying over nothing, let me know.

By the way, we both already live in a truck (508 and LT35) and we're looking for a patch of land to base ourselves while we do the bus conversions: (Gironde, Dordogne, Lot et Garonne or Charentes Maritimes) (various trades possible: truck, building skills – carpentry, roofing, stonework, masonry – you name it!?) if anyone knows of anything in the area, we're all ears.

Important note: we have some solid leads but don't have the buses yet, so if anyone has tips in the region...

There you have it, thanks in advance, and best of luck to everyone.

Laurent