Converting a heavy-duty bus/coach/truck into a motorhome (page 49 of 161)

reassured! thanks :)

😠😠😠I see that one of my previous posts was deleted

nice😠

I pretty much agree with you, and God knows it’s costing me!!! If we can spare others our youthful mistakes... We’ll save them time, money, and fewer problems. Thanks again to Pat26 for the idea of this forum! Ciao!

Well, the weekend is over!

First off, a big thank you to the "Les Roziers" campsite for their hospitality... amazing!

Then to my buddies who, on the spot, helped me prep for the weekend... and also to the pétanque club in Chabeuil who lent us some gear.

Over 25 people (plus kids!)... all members of VoyageForum! Young folks, retirees, couples, singles, projects in the works, projects still in the planning stage—everyone sharing their passion, photos, tips, and more...

Five speakers who were bombarded with questions until *very* late into Saturday night...

A special shout-out to François (our Swiss friend) for his bus!

Photos are coming soon to make everyone who had other plans this weekend jealous.

Anyway, to reassure you all, know that another meet-up is planned for spring!

PATRICK26

PS: Gotta run to take the last person to the station... (it's not goodbye, la la...)

AH!!!!!! I'm fuming that I couldn't be there! Unfortunately, work had me tied up from Friday... I had to leave in a hurry... Can't wait for the photos so I can cry even more... And I promise, I won't miss the spring meet-up!

😉 Hey Patrick, thanks for this weekend full of ideas and loads of advice from the speakers😇. It’ll help avoid rookie mistakes for all the projects in progress. And nobody should give up. Thanks to everyone who made the trip—it was a real reward for the organizer. THANKS AGAIN, PATRICK.

I can only say BRAVO PATRICK and thanks to everyone present for their advice and thoughts—and let’s do it again!

Thanks Patrick, it was a great weekend, and thanks to Coco, who stopped me from jumping at the merge 😉

@+

Hey everyone, I’ve only read the first 26 pages so far—time’s been tight—but I think this forum is awesome, even if it does bring me back to reality! I found a 1979 Mercedes 0303 with 500,000 km on the clock, but only 80,000 km on the engine, maintained by a total perfectionist for 2,500 €. Only problem: it doesn’t have a left-side door, and I’m not sure if this type of vehicle is easy to get approved as a camper. Anyway, you’re freaking me out!!! If you could reply pretty quickly, that’d be great—I’ve got to pick it up Monday, September 25th (one week from now). Thanks in advance!

If anyone’s between the Var and the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, I make trips back and forth sometimes— 06-16-12-39-24 to talk about it in person.

A huge thank you first to you, Patrick—you had a wonderful idea organizing this weekend. And thanks to everyone who took the time to answer our questions (we still have a few left!). I also want’t to mention your wife for her dedication and kindness. See you next time 😉 Pascale and Michel

😕 Well, I wasn't in great spirits today, and it's not gonna get any better!

I told Patrick that if I finished early enough on Saturday (before midnight), I'd call to say a quick hello to everyone there, but given the time (3 AM) plus the exhaustion... so Sunday turned into a bit of a rush, and I forgot. By the evening, I was too wiped out. Today, I'm running on empty. But hey, I'll make it to the next one.

Anyway, from what I've read in the posts, this weekend was productive—good to hear, that's a great thing.

Sorry I couldn't contribute this time. Hope to be there next time.

See you!

🙂😏 Well, well, if it ain't better, PATRIIIIIIIIICK, I just snagged the 1000th post!!! 😎

What did I win? What did I win? What did I win? 😏😏😏

You said I could grab it, I said no way!😏

Any champagne left???😏

The kid’s happy, he’s doing better😏

Oh well, back to work! It’s BEAUTIFUL SUNNY weather all of a sudden!

I got the thousandth post, I got the thousandth post

Okay, it’s not very constructive, this one, but after the reunion weekend, there are no more secrets—everyone knows everything about converting and switching to a motorhome 😉 so... the thousandth post is just for fun.

Alright, while waiting for Patrick to pay up for the champagne (yes, it’s MANDATORY for the thousandth post), I’ll see if I can make something happen for 2007 that I had planned for 2008... euphoria gives you wings😏

GX47

Hi Patrick, Got back safe last night after a great weekend, and with some really nice people. Say hi to everyone I met for the first time—I really hope it won’t be the last!

I’m missing your email, Patrick, so I can send you the few photos I took. Kisses to Coco. GG

Hip hip hip for Patrick!!!!!!!!!!!

HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’d say the same as everyone else…

Bravo bravo bravo and encore bravo!!!!!!!!!!!

I wouldn’t have wanted to be in the shoes of those who missed it, given all the info and ideas swirling in my brain! And I think I still missed some on Sunday since I left late Saturday night to rest! Plus, it was for nothing because I didn’t work Sunday night—AAAAAAAAARGH, so frustrating! But no big deal, by next spring my brain will have cooled down, and I’ll be ready to take it all in!

Since then, I know exactly what to say to people who call my project crazy! … “NOTHING,” plain and simple… I’ll just look at them for a little moment… And then I’ll burst out laughing—HOOOOOO HAHAHAHA HHIHIHI—ajg etnv koiklùklbrtkecj ryhlkrtyk^$zrtkecy i»rkjg c(ghj ^(hje(hjih^(ji g^gj^»i(ghj

Uhhhh… Um… … (sorry, I got carried away) … maybe I’ll calm down now…

Ciao!!!! hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiihihihihihihi

hi I'm Arnaud from Vierzon. I just bought an '86 S53 that I paid 1200 € for. It's in good condition. It had its MOT until last June. There are 2 others at the same price. I don't have space to store them. If anyone's interested, they're all at the same price. See less... they're all equipped with Telma. I've been browsing the forum—it's great! I'll keep you posted on how the project goes. Eventually, I want to live in my S53 for a while. See you soon, Arnaud

Good evening. First off, I’m gutted I couldn’t make it since I’ve got about 5,423 questions to ask those who’ve already taken the plunge. To start with—because this is the question that’s giving me the most headaches—electricity. Ever seen a goat as an electrician? Well, I’m pretty much at the same level...

I can’t quite wrap my head around the electrical autonomy you can have in a motorhome, and especially how to get the best possible autonomy. So, if any of you have suggestions or ideas on the subject, it’d be really cool to hear them. For context, it’s a bus that’ll be used to live in year-round, and half the time without any on-site electrical supply. Someone suggested lighting it up as much as possible with solar since it doesn’t consume too much—what do you think? That’s pretty much my biggest blind spot since I have no idea what’s possible or, more importantly, at what cost. Solar’s all well and good, but it’s pricey to buy.

Oh, and it’s decided—we’ll have a PR80 with 618,000 km, semi-auto gearbox changed at 200,000 km (they change it every 400,000 km), tires good for another 20,000 km, with Webasto Telma and a cute front end 😛. All for a max of 2,500 €, but we left the seller with a "between 2,000 and 2,500 €"... so I’m hopeful.

🙂 Welcome to the crazy bunch!

If you're staying put, you absolutely need to go solar (monocrystalline). You should also set up your interior circuit in 24V because you'll use half as much power. Sure, 24V equipment is pricier, but you'll save money in the long run. (You'll also need two solar panels since they're currently designed for 12V systems.)

You’ll also need equipment that allows you to plug into an external power source (to recharge during those long winter days with no sun at all).

If you don’t know anything about electricity, ask a pro to do it—or at least someone who really knows their stuff (watch out for safety standards).

For equipment, check out suppliers for campers if you can. From September 23 to October 1, it’s the camper van show in Paris—great for ideas if you can make it!

PS: I’ve got 5 goats (the real deal), including one with 3 legs. She tried to DIY the electric fence without me 🏴‍☠️. The story’s too long for here, but yeah, a goat can mess with electricity... and even lose a leg over it... GX47

I'm thinking about officially converting my bus into a motorhome so I don't get hassled by the cops, the annual vehicle inspection (DRIRE/mines), or insurance if something goes wrong. But I don't get how all the travelers who just downgraded their buses manage—especially with the annual inspection, since once you modify it, the vehicle no longer matches the registration papers.

🙂🙂 Hi everyone, sorry I missed the weekend, but it’s only postponed… 🤪

Would anyone happen to have the motorhome conversion guide 😊 in PDF format?

That’d be awesome!! 😏

One question: what’s the reputation of GABY chariots? They’re selling CARRIER RENAULT JN1E24 from 02/1987 with 38 seats —what do you all think? 😮😮 Have a great day, everyone!

PS: I’m selling my traditional RV to kick off my project… 😕😕😕

hey to you, the one who missed the weekend so much 🙁. Is it possible to get the 24V panel for 1158 € 😛; internet source: www.solarsud.com