Converting a heavy-duty bus/coach/truck into a motorhome (page 44 of 161)

OK sorry AMASXMX 😕 — I'm not really used to forums. Anyway, for the AFNOR guide — I'd appreciate some excerpts if you can share them. But are you sure it won't be useful to me? If so, is there another guide that could help us more? The HOMECAR standards are pretty strict, and we don't want to mess things up... Thanks again!

PS: Quick follow-up on insurance — who has HOMECAR insurance?

Hi,

I'm waiting for MAAF's response.

I'll keep you posted.

Cheers

PS regarding the AFNOR guide, I got it for €46 and it's a bit pricey for the size of the book. As for the content, I'm waiting to finish the novel "Museum" that I started before diving into it 😉

I went to the website and there are two AFNOR books—the S 56200 and the T 56200—and given the prices and number of pages, it's clear they're expensive... anyway, I was expecting to get a nice hefty book with about a hundred pages to set up our little space properly... I'm disappointed. Which AFNOR book do you have?? If it's not too much hassle for you, could you share it as a digital file? That would be awesome... THANKS anyway

Hi,

I don't have a scanner, but I think it's a book worth having on hand when dealing with the DRIRE.

http://www.eyrolles.com/Scan/MaxiScan/9782124156511.jpg?xd=54216234bac9ac8cb459eb712949af23

Bye

Yes, it would be great if you'd share the AFNOR guide with us, even if it's available at the DRIRE, because that would give us an idea of everything there is to know about bus conversion, anytime day or night. Fabrice.

I'll check tonight how I can send you the AFNOR guide

Heads up – it covers motorhomes, not buses or heavy vehicles, so there are a few variations you'll find in patrick26's posts

YES THANK YOU PATRICK... What do you think of the idea of having it reclassified as a heavy vehicle (just by removing the seats and putting up a partition behind the driver) so you can use it a bit, then fit it out bit by bit to standards so you can re-register it as a motorhome? Patrick if you're reading this tell us what you think... thanks

Hi,

Check out this post and you'll find your answer (below). http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=694201#694201

Cheers

I'd already read it (yeah, we spent a lot of time reading all those pages), but it's not very clear because I'm not talking about VASP, but about heavy-duty vehicles (i.e., the registration type is "van" and not TCP or VASP or anything else). Does anyone know about this case?? Because the authorities told us it was possible by removing the seats and putting a partition behind the cab. Actually, we'd use it to transport plants and shrubs, and the authorities told us the new type would be Van. I don't know if anyone's dealt with this case before???

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Indeed, I see what you mean.

My DRIRE inspector told me several things about this. Mixed with Patrick 26's info, here's what it comes down to:

Inspector: Truck van possible with 9 seats + partition behind the last seats. - when passing the roadworthiness inspection: load the vehicle to 2/3 of its GVWR: meaning you're going to put 5 tonnes in your S53, in my opinion you're going to struggle even using the rear door after that, possibility of VASP motorhome if presenting a Veritas certificate, second body certification (load distribution) and weigh ticket...

Otherwise I'm going to try the following approach: remove all seats except 8. According to the inspector, leave no space allowing you to store heavy loads, meaning build benches/lockers/etc... (my idea is an expo bus that could also serve my association) so instead of a bench I'm putting back original seats, but a diagram will be attached to the vehicle, and pictograms on each seat (8 road-approved seats + driver)

recap: ==> 8 road-approved seats at original locations, 2 or 3 rows facing each other on one side of the vehicle, an expo space, the rear bench, and a hammock to take up a bit of space. and then: subject to valid inspection, or DRIRE inspector attestation to present myself at the roadworthiness test for a truck vehicle and not standard inspection, then ==> with my inspection, registration: if modification, payment of a CV at 8 euros, and if change of owner (that's my case) payment of 19 CV heavy-duty, and NO PARAFISCAL TAX in VASP, hence a 270 euro savings.

Try to reach me on MSN: francois1612@hotmail.com

Otherwise Patrick26:

the DRIRE guy told me that a VASP NSPC can drive on weekends, and without a disc, as long as it works on the day of reception. Are you sure about the info you gave above (scrap vehicle, and not retransformable)?

If all goes well, here's the bus I'm going to have. Year '93, 780,000 km, 15,000 euros. It's quite a lot, really.

Hey gasmobil! I haven't finished reading all the posts yet—I'm on page 33—and I notice you're about to buy the same vehicle as me. I'm going to look for mine this week. I can't help but ask before I've read everything up to page 38: how's it going on your end? It'd be cool to know that another site member is working on the same vehicle as me! We could exchange ideas. Mine's from '89, 700,000 km, a bit rusty here and there, and it's 800 euros. 😉🙂

Quick question for patrick26: the seller doesn't have the manual for this bus. Do you think Volvo (Mr. Pierre David) will give me one easily? According to the seller, he's never been able to get one. Also, I wanted to know if it's possible not to register my vehicle right away and keep the registration in the seller's name throughout my work, or if I absolutely must put it in my name? Since the vehicle won't be running, it'll be on private property!

Anyway, thanks to everyone for all the advice in your posts!

patrick26, if the meet-up happens, you can count on me if I don't have anything planned that day. But normally there shouldn't be any problem! I'll be leaving from Nimes if anyone's interested!

Thanks to everyone................. Bye gasmobil, back to my reading.

OK thanks a lot for the info...we think it's possible to load 5 tons at the back of the bus we'll see but that stuff weighs up fast... anyway that leaves us time to fit it out properly... thanks for the info anyway. Waiting for AFNOR GUIDE !!!!

I'm new on the site. I've seen the Volvo coach you presented – really good body and interior condition. It's been sitting for a while, but the transmission needs work – repair costs between 5,000 and 7,000 plus the clutch. Pricing from Volvo. Plus it doesn't have a driver's door. Hang in there, everyone. I'm directing my search toward a Van Hool Altano model from before 1990 for the storage compartments. Contact: regis.mortier@laposte.net

Hi,

I've just decided to give up on building my motorhome. Here's why:

1) insurance is too expensive 2) fuel consumption is too high 3) proper conversion is too costly 4) nowhere to park it without police hassle 5) my wife 😉 who controls the purse strings

I'm postponing this for 15 years until I retire.

Special thanks to Patrick26 for putting up with all my questions

Good luck with the painting AMAsxmx, we'll surely run into each other for a drink at the sports bar.

See you soon and good luck.

what a shame:

1) I pay 500 euros with Generali 2) fuel consumption is 20L/100km, which is barely a third more than a motorhome that guzzles 13 to 15L...however if you fill up in Germany and keep the receipt, you can run on oil in summer (possibility of adjusting the injectors... otherwise 20L per 100km means 500 liters, so 600 euros for a round trip of 900 to 1000 km + the journey there. 3) for the conversion work, I'm patient and I source a lot of material without paying for it... 4) well, to park it ask a neighbor.. mine rents me a garage in his residence, and I managed to park my vehicle on a piece of his land (but got lucky) 5) I don't have a wife!!!

I'm 25 years old, so I figured I might as well try now rather than when I have a house to pay for and no longer have the courage to move on my own (or the strength to do the work).

MOLOSSE

For the 5 tons of cargo, that's 500 back-and-forth trips carrying 10kg bars—essentially several days of transferring materials. I have a worksite where guys are laying 3000 false floor tiles at 11kg each, and you quickly get fed up with it, but with 4 of them they stocked the room in 3 days, so it would take you roughly the same time on your own. Anyway, I'm muddying the waters with my dodgy math, but 5 tons on the rear axles is like putting 90 people in your vehicle—I don't think it's designed for that, and watch out for the integrity of your chassis.

I can try to pass along excerpts from the AFNOR guide, but do you know where to find the technical manual (3 A4 binders) for the S45/S53? Probably where you bought it—at my place they don't have any more.

Hey nahotchan........ Really sorry to see you go :( I don't know what your budget was, but I built a terrace on a dock with reclaimed materials (isn't that right, François?), and believe me it looks great!!! You'd think you were in Indonesia. So there's always a way to scavenge and refine without making big purchases to make your dream happen! (Trust me) and especially don't get discouraged!!!!!! As for where you could store it, there might be a solution. We can discuss it! As for the rest (the paperwork, insurance, etc....), that's up to you! Don't hesitate to contact me – I'll leave you my mobile number in a private message!

See you soon, I hope

Hi françois!

Sorry to bring this back up, but now I'd like to know the interior height of an S53: from floor to ceiling, not counting the storage area. Thanks and have a good day!

HI EVERYONE!

a few updates...

For the weekend of the 16th/17th, I'm preparing a folder that'll be ready this weekend.

Road book with photos of the crossroads, rates (very affordable! negotiated at a lovely farm campground), weekend schedule (visit to Gaby Chariots being negotiated – they'd only open for us), Saturday evening under the barn's shelter with a video projector (bring your plans and docs!) and maybe a former bus dealer buddy will be there in all friendliness to help with choosing vehicles and provide info and addresses. The Internet Bus (a bus equipped as an info center) should also be part of it. I'm hesitant about inviting my contact (very good!) from the Mines...

Last-minute surprise – some Swiss folks in converted buses will be there!

All in all, if everyone who said they'd come actually shows up, we'll have at least about fifteen members, plus wives, kids, friends, ...

Please send me your contact details via private message. (For those who don't know how, click on my username above my bus, and then click on 'send a private message to PATRICK26')

If I recall correctly, I think there's 1.95m under the light fixture rail (in the center) and 1.70 on the side.

HEADS UP FOR ENTHUSIASTS

I'm posting the detailed measurements of my S53 when it's empty (pending reopening the plans I've already transcribed into AutoCAD).

If anyone's able to put online scans of the RTA for the S45/S53, I think that would be much appreciated by a lot of people (but not on the forum—rather via email or CD).

See you later!