Converting a heavy-duty bus/coach/truck into a motorhome (page 30 of 161)

🙁Hey everyone, I went to see the bus I was supposed to buy. I'm not taking it anymore—some kids targeted it and smashed it all up. Too much damage, so I'm looking for a bus that's not too expensive. Talk soon

Hey, I've had an S53 for almost 3 years and a good friend of mine for 2 years, contact me by email if you want more info... takenosystem@hotmail.fr

Hey, I'm selling a 1983 Renault S53 R bus Bought it less than a year ago but need to sell it—I have another vehicle 175,000 km, excellent condition, passed inspection and emissions Interior: 5 seats and the rest empty to fit out, 25 m² Perfect for a motorhome, touring band Tel: 06 63 40 28 28 Bus classified VASP, heavy vehicle license required

19 hp, 11 m, GVWR 13,500 kg

Hey François, man it really bugs me having the gears on the dashboard. I wish I'd known beforehand, I think I would've gone for an S 53 RX instead. I'm half tempted to sell it just because of that. Plus I never got the keys to the storage compartments, so they're locked. It's a school bus that ran in the countryside, so do you think it'll be okay to travel on the highway with it? And my windshield wipers keep turning on by themselves when I'm driving even though I'm sure they're off. But otherwise it's a solid bus. Let me know what you think. Thanks, FANTOMATIK PS: if you could give me your email so I can send you some photos

my email address: francois1612@hotmail.com (and I have MSN)

yeah, that's a great tip... ask benhurd, he's my expert on S53 stuff, I've got the bus but not the license... I'm starting the conversion, and we'll see when I have time for the license... anyway: not officially registered = Category D license so I don't have it (and no need to get it).

Question: What's the MINIMAL conversion needed to get it certified for Category C license (VASP NSPC, etc...) and physically what needs to be done inside? Thanks for letting me know your DRIRE contacts who can confirm with mine who don't know much about the subject

Hello, I think we've already answered this, right?

Start by requesting a motorhome conversion file from your DRIRE—everything is in there. Then contact AFNOR (address via Google as usual) and order the motorhome conversion guide for €85.

Well anyway, here's what's in the DRIRE file: fixed kitchen space, fixed dining space, fixed sleeping space; the sleeping space can be created by modifying the dining space. That's it, no bathroom required—as we all know, in France we don't wash!😏 The seats must be the original ones with original fixings. Seat belts are not mandatory for motorhomes built before 2000.

GX47

Yeah, I know all that, but I want the simplest approach... I'm taking out all the seats and keeping 9. That's done. In 2 months I need to park my bus on a public street, so I have to move it every week... I don't have time to do a full motorhome conversion, but just a simple VASP NSPC—as straightforward as possible (I know it costs me an inspection and some hassle but 100 euros isn't much, knowing that afterwards I can take it everywhere—I'm doing a major job move across work sites and want to work in it as I please... anyway! Does anyone have clear instructions? I've been told "a partition" then "no partition" then "extended cabin" (there I saw some specific details... but I'd need to move it so the guy can "see what I've done", but I don't want to make 50 trips... I just want to know upfront what the SIMPLEST conversion would be. If keeping 8 seats + driver is sufficient, I'd like to get that in writing and contact DRIRE engineers to give my details to whoever I report to.

My local authority allows me to create bench seating with storage (like factory motorhomes), provided the vehicle is pre-2000.

I've already answered that. The simplest remains the VASP caravan. Sorry. Otherwise it's VASP 2 or even 3 seats but not 9 — if you're over 2 rows back it's "extended cabin," with mandatory seat belts (new) if it goes through DRIRE after December 1999 and needs constructor authorization. Ask DRIRE, they won't bite you, they like this stuff. I wanted to do the same, but the DRIRE engineer advised me against it because of the seat belts and the constructor agreed. Now converting a VASP 2-seater to 9 seats, even as a motorhome, that's a hassle...

For benches over storage, it's allowed in extended cabins not in caravans (manufacturer-approved seats) AND for vehicles under 3.5T. That's exactly where I am with my Master that I'm converting to 6 seats (extended cabin). The pre-2000 thing isn't about seat fixings, it's about seat belts in motorhomes. If the DRIRE inspector says stuff and validates it, so much the better. If it passes inspection and at the office signature we can't find the text... no signature! I waited 15 days for verification of the text about the non-obligation of rear seat belts for motorhomes whose first registration is before 2000 (there was doubt about what was registered first — the coach or the motorhome??? if it's the coach it's fine, if it's the motorhome — that's the day of reception plus signature plus registration document, it's done and since the text doesn't specify... benefit of the doubt and it's OK)

Hi tomlatuile, I'm looking for an S53 for a campervan conversion project for a humanitarian trip to Africa. Can you send me photos if you have any, the price, details, etc. to my email nikon77@free.fr? Thanks Michael

A question - I was lucky enough to get my C, D, and E licenses during military service 🙂, and my license is valid until 25/05/97. Is a medical exam by an approved doctor enough to renew them for 5 years? Another question - once I've found and converted my coach bus, I'm planning to take it on a humanitarian mission for over a year. How can I handle the annual technical inspection?

Hi, yes for the permit (normally) but your safest bet is still to ask the nearest prefecture or sub-prefecture, right?

For the CT ??? same thing --> prefecture

Ha, I almost forgot: reinforced cab = partition required (wood, metal, mesh) there's no mandatory material requirement, it just needs to support the load (4 to 6 tonnes?) even concrete is allowed😏😏😏

Hi everyone and congrats on your forum! I've read through part of the 26 pages and haven't found an answer to my question—sorry in advance if I missed it. Here's my question: can you convert an articulated bus and reclassify it as a heavy vehicle? What license is needed to drive this type of vehicle?

Julien and Alix

Hey, sorry but I'm just posting my thing here – there's more activity and it's super friendly too (and a little something extra) 🙂

Hi everyone

This site is awesome, it really motivated me to get my butt in gear. I also want to convert my camper van, except I don't have one yet – I'm at the first stage * Looking for a truck I'm on a lead but I'm not too sure and I'm calling on your expertise for... So it's a Unic or Iveco – the sellers weren't really sure either... 😕 type: 40-8hb (pretty big, pretty boxy) registration: eh, who cares km: 139671 horsepower: 10 fuel level: 1/2 (that's what it says) and that could tip the scales 🙂 asking price: (5335) WHAT?! (okay okay 5000) for this pile of mud? (come on 4800) ok 4500 (4600) that works selling price: 4500-5000 😛

Anyway, it's all equipped (fridge, gas, toilet, "furniture", beds). Oh geez!!!!! it's hideous. furniture, you know, like at your grandparents' place, tiles above the switch, floral wallpaper.... but that's fine because then I'll be forced to redo it I'm waiting for your answers (impatiently) before it's gone. Good luck everyone, safe travels and bon appétit of course P.S. tomorrow I'll try to post the photos

Well, the question's already been raised but honestly there's no real answer because nobody knows... Try the DRIRE—the problem with the accordion might be that the speed's apparently limited to 50km/h? And I don't think the vehicle's designed to handle more than that, so it's risky if you remove the limiter, and I'm pretty sure the DRIRE would be skeptical about your good faith in keeping it limited (because 50km/h to cross France??? Only military convoys do that...) Plus the traveling vendors and circus folks, but they rarely cover more than 100km between stops. On top of that, with a heavy vehicle you're often forced to use highways or ring roads to bypass restricted routes or cities that ban anything over 7.5T or vehicles longer than 10m in transit. And there it's FORBIDDEN on highways—minimum speed 60km/h if I remember my driving code right—and it's dangerous on ring roads and secondary roads. The regular drivers get frustrated behind you and absolutely want to pass without realizing how long your rig is.🏴‍☠️

Hey buddy,

So Unic and Ivéco are basically the same thing — it's like Simca and Talbot: it's all about the year. You might see both brands depending on the year, but anyway it's all listed on your registration document.

For the purchase: Watch out — the advisors aren't the ones footing the bill!

It could be a great deal depending on the price, or the opposite if there are surprises, or if the conversion doesn't suit you and you need to have everything redone. (For example, having to tear it all apart to insulate it 🤪)

Check the registration document type (VASP motorhome) to see if it meets standards (no dodgy modifications made after it was certified) → otherwise you'll need to get it certified. Thoroughly inspect the maintenance log, which should be present and filled with all the repairs done and regular maintenance.

Know that heavy-duty vehicle work is really expensive. I've got a tiny bit of play in my right front axle (imperceptible but very slightly visible on a lift, impossible to fix yourself — you need a puller and a press so you have to take it to a garage or heavy-duty mechanic → current quotes are around 1500 euros). Check the expiration dates on the air bottles (it's marked on them; if not, the replacement date is in the maintenance log). Also check for corrosion underneath, especially on the chassis or frame.

Well, that's it — maybe you're not much further ahead now... 😐

yeah yeah... well no 🙂 if that's cool thanks I'll be back with the photos

Hey, my bad, SORRY, I thought it was a heavy truck. Good call posting those photos—so it's under 3.5T, though this model also came in 5.5T but with the same engine 🙁😠 a piece of crap 🏴‍☠️

heads up about the engine on this vehicle, whether it's 3.5T or 5.5T—it's like those early Masters equipped with that Italian Sofim 2.5L engine. It's crap, guzzles fuel, barely moves unless you really push it hard, then you're at 12L/100km and head gasket failure every 60,000 km. I knew one guy who somehow managed 300,000 km without even opening the engine, but never went over 80 km/h and drove real easy. My buddy who had one for work though, was getting 12-13L and blew 5 engines in 2 years! 😕

so check the mileage, check the maintenance, and try to see how it was driven. also check the bodywork—it tends to rust. there you go, just my two cents

😕😕😕😕😕😕😕sniff... man, you're really bringing me down I had "reserved" it and I was ready to see it tomorrow with the owner. 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Are you really sure about that info? Maybe you got the model mixed up? 🤪

Anyway, too bad and thanks

I'm not infallible, maybe this model's got a good engine? Looking more closely, it looks like the very first model, a UNIC or early Iveco. If the seller is a professional, he's responsible for the condition of the vehicle and should give you a 3-month warranty, I think? Go see it anyway, it doesn't cost anything and it gives you a point of reference. Nothing forces you to buy it; generally it's better to give yourself time to think it over. Better to miss a good deal than to get ripped off...!!! It's still an old jalopy, so don't buy blindly. But once again, it's ONLY MY opinion.