Converting a heavy-duty bus/coach/truck into a motorhome (page 32 of 161)

Hi,

After reading through the whole forum, I can see that several of you really know your stuff about coaches.... Could you please advise me on the Mercedes O 303, a 9m-long vehicle—specifically about its speed, fuel consumption, and most importantly its suitability for conversion? The current owner says the Mercedes has only 256,000 km and the engine's been replaced, showing less than 100,000 km. A coach engine with less than 100,000 km seems fishy to me...? Also, he claims fuel consumption of 18 liters per 100 km.... In your opinion, can a coach odometer be tampered with? Thank you and have a great evening.

Hello.

The best option for your project is a Volvo B10M because it has a central engine and all the space at the back is free for your vehicle. You won't be the first to do it—reach out to Volvo France in the Lyon region and contact Mr DAVID. When it comes to driving as heavy goods, there's no getting around it—you'll have to reclassify it from light to heavy goods, which means a mandatory inspection to get the new registration. In the meantime, you'll need a commercial driver's license to drive it. If you get caught without one, good luck... I know what I'm talking about—I'm in the police, and getting caught for this isn't a traffic violation, it's a criminal offense.

You should read the previous pages—everything you're asking about is already there.

@+.

Hi. The issue with 303s is the rounded top of the side windows. It's difficult either to replace the windows with sheet metal because of the curve, or to fit out the interior—which is also difficult because of the curve—unless you make templates for each partition or wall you're planning. On the upside, the brand choice is solid because there's no hassle finding parts anywhere in the world. See you!

Completely agree with gazmobil, but you don't change a 303 engine at 250,000 km, unless there's a defect—it easily does 800,000 km or even 1,000,000 km if well maintained. Anyway, I already mentioned it above, coaches must be supplied with the mandatory log book all the work is listed there with dates, mileage, and inspections at the DRIRE (now Technical Inspection). Don't bother with approximations. It's now difficult to get rid of a coach at a good price since the ban on exports to Africa. Because of that, heavy-duty scrapyards don't want them anymore (too expensive to depollute!). I just managed, after 15 days of pitching, to get rid of the old 302 from a street theater company near me. Only a junk dealer/scrap metal collector I know very well was willing to take it—he's currently cutting it up. If the 303 has the same engine as the 302 (12m) I can find out about the fuel consumption. GX47

Hi, Tomorrow I need to go check out some coaches; they're RVI s45r from around 1985. Has anyone set up this type as a workshop truck? Any issues getting builder paperwork? My need is just to get official registration to transport a race car + a bunk bed. Thanks everyone

For anything Renault/SAVIEM, you need to contact IRISBUS near Lyon and ask for decommissioning authorization—contact M. GARNIER.

The S45/53 (early version, R and RX are really good—slow engines so rock-solid and fuel consumption between 20 and 25 l/100)

I bought one for 1500 euros. It's currently being fitted out. Make sure to check the bodywork carefully, and above all, ABOVE ALL make sure it passes technical inspection.

Hey. There's a guy in Narbonne who sells an S53 for €10,000, already modified and passed inspection. It's set up to transport a car plus gear and 8 people. It belongs to a racing competition and racing assistance company. Contact MP competition, ZI cap de pla route de Carcassonne, 11100 Narbonne. Tel 04 68 27 92 97. I'm not sure if he still has it—give it a try and see. I had the photos and thought it looked great with an interior partition, exterior awning, and everything. Catch you later!

thanks for the tip—does he have an email address so I can send him mine? pat

HI everyone, so here's the thing – my S53 is ready to pass the technical inspection, and honestly, I'm looking for someone who can insure and drive my bus for about ten days; you need a Class D license since the registration document mentions TCP (public transport). IF someone can help me get out of this situation so I can finally wrap up this seemingly endless project then YAAAOUUUU and big party.. anyway, since my request is becoming urgent I'm even leaving my number: 06.29.51.59.61. and if someone has another reliable solution then please let me know. and come on, good luck to everyone !!!!!!!

Hi, I'm parting with my Renault PR 100 'city' bus—extended version, 17.62m long; no seats inside and ready to be fitted out!!!

Hi, I'd started fitting out a PR 100 articulated bus and got discouraged. If you know a potential buyer???? lolll

Hi, we're a young couple who just signed up to participate in this forum about converting a heavy truck into a motorhome. We'll soon be leaving the land we were renting with our mobile homes, and we're thinking about either converting a heavy vehicle or buying one second-hand. We're interested in your advice—what brand, power, …and what about the regulations? So we hope you're still active on this forum and will get back to us. Thanks, Estelle and Yves

Hello, Thank you for thinking of me, but I'm looking for a tour coach with a length between 7.5 and 9 meters, preferably with a central engine... but that's much harder to find !

Hello. Welcome to the forum. First of all, I recommend that both of you read the pages since its creation—it's long and tedious (I know what I'm talking about, I read through everything myself) but it's worth it. This will provide you with many answers to the questions you're asking and those you haven't thought of yet. You'll be able to follow the progress of certain projects day by day, as well as the problems encountered and solutions provided. For my part, I'd recommend a bus or coach rather than using a truck. Getting seating certified on the registration document of a converted vehicle based on a heavy-duty truck is pretty tricky—you're limited to the original seating in the cab. On the other hand, with a bus, if you keep original seats fixed to the designated anchor points, getting the additional seating approved is child's play compared to a truck. For choosing a bus if you go with that solution, it all depends on your budget, your desired layout plan, and the range you want. Indeed, water and batteries are the heaviest elements. For me, the ideal is a bus on a VOLVO B10M chassis. It's a bus with a central flat engine, so storage compartments along the full length. Plus, since the cab is just the bodywork of the chassis, transformations (like a rear lifting door to fit in a car) are possible with manufacturer approval. There's a company near Montpellier that sells used buses and coaches; I'll search for the contact info and give it to you later. Visiting buses lets you get a good sense of the market and the equipment. See you later!

The link for the bus and coach seller in Montpellier is: www.eurobus-trade.com

Hi papoumamoure, thanks for the tips and thanks again, cheers catch you later 😉 😎 😛 🙂 😊

Looks like I've got time now.....

Here's how I'm spending my time, in the attachments...

The water installation plans are coming in.

I'll call you tomorrow to catch up.

Good evening everyone,

PATRICK26

Example to follow 😉

GX47

Hello everyone. It's been a while since I've been on this forum, and I can see the passion is still alive here. Since I see many people are still looking for a vehicle, I'm taking the opportunity to let everyone know that I'm selling mine due to lack of finances and especially lack of time, so if you're interested, let me know. My email for more info sr29032006@wanadoo.fr. I have some photos A quick description of the beast. It's a 1974 S53 with a little over 400,000 km, the engine is honestly in great shape, outfitted about 20%, stripped of all its seats, comes with quite a bit of equipment (2 solar panels 110W, small generator, 100L tank, electrical panel 80% complete, recently upgraded auxiliary battery bank......), the bodywork is in very good condition, no damage. Anyway, I'll stop there—I don't want to clutter the forum with my "ad". I'm available if you want more info; Oh, I forgot the price: €4,000, negotiable.

Hi everyone! I'm new like many of you. I've read nearly all your posts and I think this forum is amazing! I've recently become a camper van enthusiast, but I've been in love with campers for ages! I'm moving up to the next category (PL - heavy vehicle). I think you're all incredibly brave with all the awesome conversions you've accomplished - I could never do as much! Anyway, enough flattery! I have one question: when you're out on trips, what parking facilities do you find for your vehicle? Do you have any tips? This info is crucial for deciding the length of my future heavy-duty camper. Thanks in advance for your replies!