Converting a heavy-duty bus/coach/truck into a motorhome (page 47 of 161)

First, hello everyone! So my girlfriend and I have wanted to convert a bus into a campervan for a while now, and honestly, with all the different factors involved in pulling off our project, we kinda lost heart and put this trip on hold. Then I was surfing and came across your forum and BAM – my mind was totally blown. I'm fired up again for this little dream: a house on wheels. Anyway, I'm definitely going to have tons of questions at some point or another, but to avoid repeating myself, I'm gonna need to read through all the pages of this topic. Haha, it's not gonna be easy, but we feel ready now to really dive in. 😛 For now we just have a Trafic nicely set up as a camper: a camping stove and a mattress. See you soon!

Hooooo...... but noooooo.... that's not messing around!!! (go on a bit if you want, but keep it light 😉)

That's more like encouragement, because if this meet-up does happen, it won't be thanks to Amasxmx! I wouldn't have been able to organize that. but it's true that it's a first in this field - personally, I've never heard of a customized coach meet-up. It might end up (I hope) as an annual motorhome gathering, and I'm sure of it!!

So for the first year, about forty people; that's pretty good. not counting the members who will decide at the last minute.

You!! I don't know, but I'm happy to be alive, and even more so now that I know I'm going to start my project!!!!! 😉🤪😄😏😎🙂😇

Hi, on eBay someone's selling a decommissioned S53R PL (workshop truck) with 360,000 km at a reserve price of 4,000 euros. I've seen some people here who bought buses for really cheap, so is that expensive or not?

Hey, I reckon you've been told the wrong thing, restrictions are the same for everyone, you can drive in your department and the bordering areas, that's all, or else it's something brand new nyco

Hi Patrick,

I see your message is from 2004, but I hope you're still an active member of this site...

I'm looking for documentation, advice, and especially regulations regarding the conversion of a heavy-duty vehicle.

If you're still around, please reply.

Best regards,

Martial.

martial.estelle@wanadoo.fr

Depends on your needs. I paid €1500 for mine and it's not too pricey—that's the going rate. The condition was decent and it had minimal servicing; it was still in operation the first time I saw it, but I'm outfitting it now. So if turning it into a work truck is your plan and the undercarriage isn't too damaged and the engine's in good shape (360K km is low), why not?

Check the tires and batteries though (I had battery problems).

Hi and thanks for your reply. Anyway, there's a Renault S45 for €3,811 on kmion.com, but it doesn't have a rear door. There's also a dealership near me selling 2 Renault PR80s and 1 FR1 — though the FR1 is a short-body (36 seats). As for the PR80s, I really like the look — they seem a bit less dated than the S45 or S53. The ones for sale do have 700,000 km on them, but they were still in service just a month ago. A buddy of mine used to work at the dealership selling them, and he told me they're solid buses and the company garage took good care of maintenance. They're selling them for €3,000 each. If anyone wants to know more, feel free to reach out to me. As for my use case, I'd be living in it on a plot of land we're planning to buy in Mayenne (it's remote, peaceful, and cheap) and doing seasonal work in Haute-Savoie, where my girlfriend is from. Basically, 2 or 4 times a year we'd drive about 500 miles (800 km), plus a few other trips we might take. That's the plan. What bothers me a bit is that of all the PR models, the 80 was the least produced, so spare parts are harder to find and more expensive if something breaks down.

Hi everyone, After going through the 40 pages of the site several times, I have to say everything's gotten all jumbled in my head, and I have to say it's not so simple to remember it all. This question has been brought up before, but could someone nice remind me of the basics in the form of a brief summary, for example on the following questions: the difference between an autocaravane, VASP, and a motorhome, whether a tachograph is mandatory in which categories of these types of heavy vehicles, the frequency of technical inspections, and finally whether I can drive on Sundays. Thanks to everyone and keep it up—it's wonderful. THIS TIME I'M PRINTING THE ANSWER. Fab

hey, just so you know if anyone's interested: the PR80 is basically a variant of the PR100, except the PR80 was built by CBM as an inter-city version. so apart from maybe the gearbox which should be different since the PR80 has a longer gearbox, quite a few parts should actually match up. I'm just reassuring myself here lol ;) a buddy's going to check it out the day after tomorrow. see ya!

Be careful with city buses though: low floor means everyone can see inside, huge fuel consumption (over 30-35L/100) especially with automatic transmission, and poor speed (designed for city driving so average 50km/h with peaks at 70, and not much more)

Hi, regarding your questions

The difference between a motorhome, VASP, and camper van is the same thing After the inspection process for validation on your vehicle registration, you'll have home-car

You'll be able to drive on Sundays and public holidays No more tachograph

To avoid too many problems with customs, inspectors, and so on... You could declare yourself as homeless—yes, I said homeless (SDF) Once you've gotten your motorhome papers and declared it as your primary residence, no one will be able to enter your vehicle The procedures are simple—just go to your local city hall and declare yourself as homeless in your municipality and have your vehicle documents in order

We can get confirmation—we have lawyers on this site If I'm wrong, let me know, but I'm sure about all this Later

ATTENTION, ATTENTION! ABOUT TACHOGRAPHS!

The regulations are clear but quite lengthy, so I can't copy-paste them into a post!

If you want them, send me your personal email in a private message and I'll email them to you.

In summary.....

Everything happens in two stages!

First: all heavy vehicles, except for a few exceptions (fire brigades, municipal vehicles that don't travel more than 50 km from their base, concrete mixers, etc...), are required to be equipped with a tachograph that's checked every two years.

Second: all transport for hire or professional transport of goods or passengers is required to use the tachograph (disc). So when you go on vacation with your family on a bus (even if your family is 30 people!) since you're not at work, you're not being paid to drive, the bus is yours, insured by you, and nobody pays for their place, you don't put a disc in the tachograph!

Same thing if you're moving yourself with a truck that belongs to you, that's insured by you, and the goods you're transporting are yours and haven't been purchased initially or aren't being transported for resale!

And yes! The disc doesn't control the trucks or buses! It monitors the driving times of drivers, and this system was put in place at the request of drivers' unions so that their overtime and waiting hours would be paid!

When you're driving privately, no pay.... so no disc!

(It's still a good idea to have the regulations with you though, because not all police are aware of it. Present it just in case...)

As for Sunday driving permits, that's a different issue, which isn't related to the tachograph. All heavy goods vehicles classified as "FREIGHT TRANSPORT" are forbidden from driving on Sundays, except those carrying perishable goods.

So if your vehicle registration documents have a mention of VASP NSPC with a large cargo area, a cop can decide to stop you outright! Just like vehicles classified with both habitable and cargo area sections, or motorhome-cargo combinations, which by virtue of the cargo designation are forbidden from driving on Sundays!

And yes, what joy to have a registration classification that matches your vehicle and its use!

PATRICK26

Well yeah, you're wrong😏

First off, to be homeless you mustn't reside elsewhere.

Then François57 was talking about LOOKING inside (not the low windows of the Urbans😄), not GOING INSIDE TO LOOK😏😏

No law enforcement officer can enter your vehicle, whatever it is (Clio, tricycle, pedal car), without reason EXCEPT Customs😄 with suspicion and accompanied by gendarmes, I think—better ask our two professionals on the matter.

Personally: Police, Gendarmes, Gemdarmettes😏, passersby, curious folks, etc... everyone’s invited to visit my "home-car"—it avoids misunderstandings and hassles. Plus, even with a full fridge😉, no on-duty gendarme has ever done more than stick their head through the door just to check it’s actually a caravan and not a coach, and that’s it.

Well, once the uniform’s off... (let’s keep it decent😄)

Anyway, that’s just my take on things—everyone sees things their own way...

I’d also like Gazmobil and id944’s opinions on this.

GX47

OK, let's keep it simple for the weekend of the 16th/17th!

We're just 3 days away from the event, and I won't have much time left—organization calls!

So, for those still interested, figure out how to join us! 😛

Everyone who wants to come is welcome! There's plenty of space, and the planned setup is flexible! Bring your own sleeping arrangements since I don’t have time to manage that!

Among the confirmed attendees (a good thirty adults and about ten kids) so far: The youngest adults are 22, and the oldest are retired! The youngest kids are 18 months old, and the oldest are teens!

The departure for the visit to GABY CHARIOTS is scheduled for Saturday morning at 10:45. We can’t wait past 11:00, so you’ll need to be there before then!

Saturday’s meal is communal (everyone brings food for themselves and their group). During this meal, we’ll plan the evening’s activities. Attendance at this communal meal is mandatory to join the evening with the experts who’ll all be there (coachbuilder, customization carpenter, dealer, etc.—I’m just waiting for the mining engineer’s response)!

It’s in CHABEUIL IN THE DRÔME (26) 11 km east of Valence

In Chabeuil, there are 3 roundabouts. Look for the one with the *Tintin on the Moon* rocket (no joke—Chabeuil is where the French Tintin fan association is based!). You can’t miss it—it’s 7 meters tall! Once you’re there, take the direction toward ROMANS. You’ll reach another roundabout in about 800 m.

At this roundabout, take the direction toward PEYRUS.

After 200 m, turn left following the small hand-drawn camping signs (farm camping rules!)

150 m further, at the fork, follow the same sign (on your left). You’ve got 100 m left to go. You’ll recognize the entrance from the photo in an earlier post.

When you arrive, ask for Patrick or come find my bus (the same one as under my username but with extra decor!)

SEE YOU THIS WEEKEND! 😎😉

PATRICK26

Hi! In most cases where a coach is converted into a motorhome, the driver’s door isn’t required. guyez.conseil@wanadoo.fr

Hi Mr. Guyez!

We don’t know each other, but we have a mutual acquaintance in Loïc from Grenoble!

A real professional finally drawn to our discussions...

PATRICK26

😉 Can you discuss that famous door a bit? Which buses have the best chance of passing inspection without the door? Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

😉 See you later!

Current regulations require an emergency exit, not necessarily a door. You just need to consider the window to the left of the driver, and if that doesn’t work due to its features (breakable or dimensions), you should look at the first window right behind the driver and install a glass-breaker hammer.

After that, it’s best to find the "right" mining engineer...

Note that many standard-built motorhomes don’t have a driver’s door. So why would the DRIRE require one?

A great tip! For this kind of project, it’s better to go through a homologation consulting firm. A small investment for a guaranteed time-saver and one less headache. SLT

You're right to be skeptical—it's not all that clear!

For traffic laws, driving a motorhome is treated like any other vehicle. Only the living area behind the driver’s seat line is legally considered a dwelling, with all the associated protections: inviolability outside legal hours, etc.

Best regards.