Converting a heavy-duty bus/coach/truck into a motorhome (page 34 of 161)

Thanks François,

I’m relieved to see it’s at least possible. I’ll look into it first thing tomorrow, if only for the PLU. Ugh!!! Can’t find a single place to download that damn document that’s supposed to be public! If I understand correctly, this permit—which I’ll surely be denied—is only if I want to build on my land later? I checked out styrodur; actually, I knew about it but didn’t think it would work. That said, it has good thermal resistance and it’s thin! Do you apply it directly to the metal sheet? (Well, on battens, I mean...) By the way, what do you think of a water installation done with PER plumbing? Seems solid and cost-effective to me.

Thanks

Did you find a buyer for the sale? If not, send me some interior photos and a few details like mileage, price, etc...

Hi, did you sell your bus? If not, could you share some details like mileage, etc., and a photo? Thanks, Fab

Actually, the PLU (local urban plan) is specific to each town, so you need to request it from the town hall. It's a map (or an extract of the area you're interested in if it's a fairly large town). For bigger municipalities, it should be available online, but it's updated from time to time (adding an industrial zone or a housing development, for example). A non-buildable zone can become buildable or vice versa (in the case of mining subsidence, for example).

Honestly, I don’t know about styrodur, but check out this site: http://www.trafic-amenage.com.

Otherwise, for water, it’s essential to keep it frost-free. PER pipes are the thin reinforced ones or the black ones with a stripe (blue for water, etc.)—in a building, no problem. They come out a meter below the foundation, so it’s up to you to place an inspection chamber under the bus where the pipe arrives, covered with 1 meter of soil. Then, put a large drainable pipe in the chamber that goes up, which you can heat if there’s frost. But you’ll have an issue with the pipe coming out of the ground up to the bus floor—it’s a vulnerable spot. If you use thick insulation, it might work, but you’ll still need to drain the pipe every night in case of severe frost. For this, you can ask rental companies for construction site accommodations. They have temporary connections that come out of the ground up to the bungalow. Usually, we put a good layer of polyane (plastic sheeting) with strong tape to reinforce everything.

Hi, has the bus been sold yet? If not, how much do you want for it? Some photos and a bit of info would be great, thanks.

Hi everyone, I’m new to this forum and I’d like to get a bus, but my budget is limited to 8,000 €. Do you think it’s possible to find something decent?

I DO NOT WANT TO GO THROUGH THE MINES OFFICES because I’m completely allergic to all those office people who nitpick to apply unclear laws (even for mining engineers) and show zero humanity.

If you have any camper buses to suggest with photos and details, I’m all ears. 😉

Thanks, François,

Okay, to keep a pipe from freezing, it needs to be buried 1 meter underground and the exposed part protected... Got it! I’m thinking of a solution: link here.

Actually, I’d like to insulate the entire section of the pipe that comes up from 1m below ground to the bus using a PVC pipe and a polyethylene sleeve. That should work...

Also, could you tell me the dimensions of an S53, please (floor and height)? If you can help or if anyone has plans...

Otherwise, other sites on the same topic mention (regarding general insulation) that you’d need at least 10 cm of air gap between the metal sheet and the insulation for an effective setup! What do you think? From a quick look, we’d have those famous 10 cm, plus 3 or 4 cm for the insulation, not counting the wall lining. 13 cm total loss.

Hi Patrick, I’d like to convert a HEULIEZ coach like you did, but where can I find one? And how much is it gonna cost me? Thanks

Here's an example I found on Google: http://www.europe-camions.com/html/avi/autocar-Heuliez-occasion-4C200375C10.html

Actually, I think it's better to add an extra layer of fiberglass insulation (for pipe insulation, but seal it properly) or pipe wrap like what you put around heating system pipes... otherwise you're asking for trouble... For your setup, if you go with an S53 I'm afraid it might look a bit rough, and yet it's the bus I have but as a fixed setup I think it's just okay... on the other hand, no problem moving in 3 years, lol you put flexible pipes to move it a few centimeters every month...

For insulation, a bus can be completely dismantled from the outside. In my Saviem I remove the rubber trim which reveals a metal band: screws every 20 cm (inside and outside) but when I dismantle the outside, which breaks rivets along the 70cm metal sheet height, I get access to the insulation on the whole side; whereas on the inside I'm bothered by the 20cm linoleum rise (glued to a metal curve: the bus floor is marine plywood, and along the 10 cm edge we have an angle iron profile, kind of 20x20, but quite thin, with a 10cm radius curve... so if you have a longitudinal beam right in the middle you're stuck trying to thread your styrofoam from inside... anyway, see if you use styrofoam it might be the best option. Then inside remove the hardboard panels and replace them full height with plywood or marine plywood, even if you have to get rid of that curve.

I think a lot of buses have this design.

BEN

I had my driver (who was redoing his buses himself) and according to him it's only the stuffing box that's at worst broken (it's a spring to change) or it's sealing badly... you take it out from the front of the water pump, I didn't really understand. Worst case you go to the local hardware store, it must be Bauhaus in Germany, and you find a solution... Pon Foyache...

Hey Patrick, 😉

Well there we go! 30 PAGES😎 in 2 years and almost 2 months!😮

Sure, there are pages filled with the same questions asked 20 times 🤪 due to people being too lazy to read it all, 30 pages is long 🤪😊😏but hey... that's the result of success😄 We're waiting for 50 PAGES and it's the MEGA PARTY😇😛😎🙂!? ... I'm doing the entertainment😉

Well, happy 30 for you 😄

A+ GX47 (another François, haha! )

PS: I still haven't retried uploading photos to the site, I'll try tonight with an avatar, otherwise we'll see about it in a couple of weeks.

Why not create a blog? Apparently it's easy to set up, and if it's just photos, you can expand it however you want... with the link in your signature, no need to add it every time...

Mine: http://saviem.skyblog.com

For now there's nothing at all

AND WHY NOT ORGANIZE A MEETUP WITH EVERYONE INTERESTED IN THIS FROM THE FORUM?

WE COULD DISCUSS CONVERTED BUSES AND TRUCKS!

EVERYONE COULD BRING THEIR DOCS, INFO, TIPS... AND THEIR VEHICLE.

Location: The Drôme, around Valence (I'm looking into a spot. I know a nice farm campsite with space). Date: A weekend in September (September 16th and 17th, for example).

Let us know!

1- How are you coming (by bus, car, truck, van, bike, train...)? 2- How many people (adults, children - what ages)? 3- Do you have somewhere to sleep (if yes, where - in your vehicle, tent, no other option...)? 4- Can you host people in your vehicle (if yes, how many)? 5- Arriving Friday evening, Saturday morning, or just for Sunday? 6- Will you stay Sunday night to leave Monday morning?

I can arrange a couple of things for the weekend. There's a riding center nearby, nice bike rides for the sporty types, etc.

We could organize workshops on regulations, bodywork, modifications, etc.

For food, everyone could bring stuff for a common table to feed their family, and we'll share all the food together. I can organize Saturday dinner (big barbecue) with everyone chipping in.

The idea is to make it family-friendly so everyone can come with their families (I'm thinking of you, gasmobil, with your whole crew!). I think it'd be nice if our spouses, who put up with our crazy projects, could also enjoy it and chat.

Come on, gasmobil, gx47, francois57, christian06, frankiss06, benhurd, etc. Let us know your plans!

I'm opening a thread right now in the 'travel forum meetups' section with the subject 'user-converted vehicles meetup', with that thread being for further discussions.

PATRICK26

LINK TO THE MEETUP THREAD: http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=677677;#677677

Great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't have a fitted-out bus, sadly, but the idea's growing on me more and more and I've read all 30 pages...me!!! LOL I'd be very interested. I'm going right now to the discussion thread to sign up THANKS PATRICK PIERRICK from ST rambert d'albon and his family...

THANKS GX47!

It's a pleasure having you with us for your insightful advice.

You're right—the converted bus is your everyday thing.

It would be great to meet up, knowing that your previous message gave me the idea to organize a wohnbus meet-up (those in the know will understand).

See you soon,

PATRICK26

yeah but I don't have my class C license lol

what an excellent idea... why not if my schedule allows (I'm in Moselle, and I work traveling around in the 90) but I negotiated with my boss 3 weeks to get my license, specifically in Valence... so why not during that period. anyway, I'm touched by this personal invitation lol ;-)

hoping it'll come to fruition...

and don't forget to visit http://saviem.skyblog.com if you also have Saviems I'll add links.

This weekend, unfortunately I have a wedding near Pont du Gard. The idea is nevertheless excellent, just like all the ones you've had (lol), that's wonderful😉 ? Well anyway, since I haven't found a spot for my bus yet, I have an example of a build based on a Vanhool 815 that I think is pretty good, even though it's apparently designed for 2 or 3 people. http://users.skynet.be/mowe/index.htm

😉Hey everyone, I'm back on the forum after a few months away. I can see there's still so much positive energy for these crazy projects, and it gives me my confidence back (lol). After several searches I found the bus that might work for me, now I need to get my license. For your idea Patrick it's excellent! 🙂🙂🙂

See you later IN THE BUS Nico

You have 464,000 euros ??? 😛 : http://www.truckscout24.fr/...=17&language=fra

Seriously though, I got my Class C (Limited) license from the army in 1988. Since I lost it (I need to get it reissued), I don't remember the exact weight limits anymore. If I remember right, the limit is 19T vehicle weight or 12.5T combined weight. Is that enough to drive a converted bus like yours ??? (check your vehicle registration 😉 )

edit: Apparently I should have unlimited Class C and Class E(C) at 12.5T combined weight... (I need to get this license renewed quickly so I don't get a ticket...)

http://www.les-permis.com/...ies.htm#equivalences Another source: http://www.ecf.asso.fr/permis#equivalences

C (issued between 20/01/75 and 01/01/85) and C Limited (issued between 01/01/85 and 01/07/90) = A1, B1, B, C, E(B), E(C) Limited to 12.5T combined weight

Hello, (Whew, 30 pages to read—that’s a lot of work!) Thanks to all the contributors, I’ve learned quite a bit :) My wife and I decided to take the plunge too—we signed up this morning to get our Class C license. We’re thinking of going for a Renault FR1 GTX model (12 meters long and 3.55 meters tall). There are quite a few available for under 15,000 € including tax, even with engines over 800,000 km. Are there any things we should know or check? (There’s a driver’s door, even if it’s not really needed anymore!) Does Renault handle the paperwork without issues? Does anyone know a great tip for getting an engine overhauled affordably in Brittany? Where can we find the vehicle’s plans to get exact measurements for the interior layout? Thanks,