Converting a heavy-duty bus/coach/truck into a motorhome (page 41 of 161)

Hi there,

Don’t worry if it’s related to the post. The mods will decide. The more people help each other out, the prouder we’ll be of our projects.

Thanks, and have a great evening.

Okay, count me in for a meet-up weekend. And I'm good with the "school run" pick-up with Hotware and GX47 near Valence in mid-September or later. I'm coming from Le Croisic near Saint-Nazaire, and I can hop on the coach along the way wherever needed. Otherwise, I'll drive: I've got an "8-seater"—I can take a bunch of people!!

Thanks to everyone who contributes to these forums—because of you, I'll be hitting the road in a giant camper van soon.

Pascal

🙂oh, practical stuff😉 Patrick26 is gonna be happy😛

Welcome to the crazy club

GX47

WELL, GOOD NEWS FOR THIS MEET-UP!

I was starting to despair a bit about the lack of participants, but I see it might’ve been due to the holidays!

I’ll give an update tonight or tomorrow on the confirmed attendees.

As for me, the insulation and lining are coming along—I’ll be able to talk more about it early next week.

PATRICK26

okay, I’ll register for the heavy-goods license, but I wanted to know if I can tow a trailer with the bus and, if so, what weight (with the C license)

okay, I'm looking for a converted bus if possible, or not—so opinions from anyone who has one to sell!

cheers!

harle.germain@neuf.fr

p30

You can tow a trailer up to 750 kg max, but after that you’ll need an EC license (same as for semi-trailers).

...only if the bus is allowed to tow a trailer. To check this, just look at the tare plate to see if the PTRA field is filled in. If only the PTAC field is filled in, no trailer is possible—not even a luggage rack or a motorcycle carrier! (as Patrick p2 says)

geromino you’ll find a few bus ads here. Make sure to check the registration papers (type, bodywork, number of passengers). About Sputnick’s bus, the engine was replaced—I’m not sure if it’s still road-legal with the *mines*? There’s also this one

hi patrick26 can you give me some tips on converting a Mercedes 303 bus—currently set up for 16 seats and 16 berths—into a motorhome?

🙂🙂 Hi everyone! I’ve just gone through two pairs of glasses reading this forum, and THANK YOU all—it’s amazing what you can find here. My project: converting a 10–12 meter vehicle. So, any tips are more than welcome! I’ll start by sorting through everything I’ve found (and there’s a lot).. 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ If I make it out alive, I’ll post the pictures… Promise, cross my heart! :):):)

First question: I’ve been browsing coach sellers’ websites—does anyone have recommendations for more reliable ones? Come on, throw me a bone..

See you soon!

SO THERE, THE TRAP....

Turning a 16-seater into a 16-seater motorhome?

I think, given the regulations, you’ll stay in the TCP category! (considering the number of seats).

Others might have more info. Otherwise, the mining engineer in your department.

Sorry I can’t tell you more...

PATRICK26

Hey,

I’d say before you start looking for the bus or coach you need, have you figured out your project?

You don’t just buy a bus for its looks—it’s also about what you want to do with it.

Your project will determine the right model(s). Once you’ve got that, you can search for those model names on Google or another search engine. You’ll see that transport companies, heavy-duty garages, etc., often have buses for sale that’ll pop up.

PATRICK26

Wow, that was quick—thanks! 🙂

The plan is to build a little house on wheels so I can eventually take a relaxed tour of France without having to clear the table just to go to bed (I’m 6’5", so space is key). The idea is to have an adult bedroom at the back, a toilet, a bathroom, a "kids' room" with a bunk bed running lengthwise (along the direction of travel), then a kitchen and living area—oh, and let’s not forget the HOME CINEMA😇. Okay, I’m exaggerating a bit, but you get the idea. Scout’s honor! 🤪

Right now, I’m drafting plans using Archi3D (or something similar)—it’s amazing because there’s no erasing, and you get a 3D view with a virtual tour. So, I’m working on the plans to put together a file. That said, I don’t quite remember the differences between a BUS and a COACH, but since I’ll eventually register it as a MOTORHOME, it shouldn’t matter too much. I’ve got my TCP, PL, and SPL licenses, so all I need is a medical check-up, and then I’m good to go—assuming I don’t leave the appointment with a white cane and a guide dog...

An electrical system 😛 doesn’t scare me—I’ve been wiring industrial machines for 20 years, so I know my way around. Water? Well, I can swim, so that’s covered. As for gas, I’m looking into the regulations to see if I can use, say, a large propane tank lying horizontally in the storage compartment instead of 13kg bottles. Maybe even a LPG tank, so I don’t have to worry about connections or empty bottles when traveling abroad. Because when it comes to "European unity" and fittings🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️, it’s a real joy...

Anyway, have a great evening! (PS: I just printed out 36 pages of forum posts as a PDF to read quietly during my lunch breaks at work 😇😇😇) Have another great evening—yes, really, have a great evening!

Quick update for the weekend of September 16/17.

I’ve centralized the info I had.

For those I’m missing details from, please send them over (via private messages if possible).

TO ALL WHO ARE COMING OR INTERESTED, PLEASE SEND ME YOUR EMAIL AND PHONE DETAILS VIA PRIVATE MESSAGE.

That’ll make my job easier! The table below could’ve gone into an Excel sheet or a mailing list on your private emails...

For those in the greater west, maybe GX47 could help relay info to interested folks to group up... (I should’ve asked you first if you’re okay with it!)



9 adults and 7 kids! It’s starting to take shape...

Attention trmjmt: we’d planned a deeper discussion on this during Saturday night’s barbecue. Let me know if you’re available and keep me posted.

For the five who still need to confirm, get typing...

And everyone else, check your schedules and sign up. If you’re far away, maybe others can join you... (piccin, you in?)

PATRICK26

I’m copying this message to the meet-up forum. Thanks to the mods for keeping this post here! Most participants are active in this thread, and most potential interested folks are watching it.

Hey vendéen85170,

First off, WARNING: using gas bottles lying down is STRICTLY PROHIBITED and DANGEROUS🏴‍☠️ liquid gas can get into the pipes—it’s better to connect several 13 kg bottles, but watch out for gas transport limits (you’ll need to connect them with switchovers). Officially, we’re all breaking the rules when we go to replace an empty bottle🤪 Okay, that’s said😏 Now, for EU use, LPG would be the best option for you😎—it’s really taking off among "long-distance" motorhome travelers. GX47

Well, you knew there wasn’t any need if we’re not risking duplicates? All good

I’ve seen this done for a touring music group—at that point, just reducing the number of seats and switching to a smaller license category is enough.

But fair warning: TCP category, technical inspections every 6 months, and crazy insurance costs… though it *can* be negotiated.

I’ve seen this kind of coach before—try calling the band "Paul Selmer" in Castelnau-de-Guers (34) and ask them about the project. They’re a 20-person orchestra and use this type of vehicle for their tours.

Thanks for thinking of me, but as I said, it's tough to cover that many kilometers over the weekend with the family.🙁 Post a video or photos to make me regret it even more. FAB.

hi, if you want 16 seats plus 16 berths, you're looking at a 16-seater TCP (but with a Veritas inspection for permanent ventilation, I think).

if you want 16 seats plus 16 berths AND a Motor-Home layout with a kitchen area and dining space (even if the table is round—smart!), then you're dealing with a "double-body TCP/Caravan." GX47