Converting a heavy-duty bus/coach/truck into a motorhome (page 50 of 161)

Sorry, but I've still got a bunch of questions to ask you, since the guy at my local DRIRE office (Anglet-Pays Basque) can't help me. He just keeps telling me to ask Mercedes!!

1/ Once the conversion is done, how will I be able to get it officially certified when the technical inspection is no longer valid and I won't be able to get it re-certified because the vehicle won't match my registration papers anymore?

2/ If I'm understanding correctly, the separation between the cab and the living area isn't mandatory – or can I just put in a door instead?

3/ What's the difference between a chassis and a frame structure (or what exactly is a frame structure?). On a 0303, is it a frame?

4/ Can I drill holes in the floor and body of my 0303 Mercedes (without touching the reinforcements, of course!)?

I hope I'm not bugging you too much with all these questions – cheers to all you happy drivers!

😉Hey, for questions 3 and 4 you can find your answer in one of the posts on page 3 @+

Hi, I've started the preliminary work on converting my bus, but I'm still wondering about the windows—whether to use sheet metal or not. Your film solution might interest me, but it seems that with thin insulation like Actis, you need an air gap of at least 2.5cm. What I'm missing to form an opinion is the cost of metal-sheeting a window, especially since it's an FR1 and the panes are bonded. If you have any ideas, they'd be welcome! Patrick, who had his bus metal-sheeted, might be able to help me. Thanks and see you soon, jl corouge (Saint Lyphard)

Although I couldn't make it to this weekend, thanks for the idea and I'm hoping for the next one. My project is moving forward and the questions are piling up. I read in an email from JICEEL, with whom you've had long discussions, that he insulated his exterior walls with rock wool. Why not? It's an interesting idea, but it seems he did it from floor to ceiling. If I go with that solution, I'll be blocking the openings that provide natural ventilation through the windows—is that a problem? I have another question: is it possible to remove the rails on the window side where the seats were? Do these rails contribute to the bus's rigidity? It seems the hot air from the heating also passes through these rails, but I'd need to modify that anyway. My last question for today: do you have any idea what it costs to replace a window with sheet metal? Is it possible to have them glued in place (by a pro)? Thanks and see you soon JL Corouge PS: my baby is an FR1

Hey Arnaud, I'm Bassam from Bordeaux. I've been working for a while with a "nomadic" pianist, Marc Vella, and we have two S53s converted into RVs to bring people to his concerts. We just got back from two months in Romania. The producer of the first film, *Le Piano des Sables*, shot three years ago in the Sahara—another Arnaud from Paris—wants to make a second film next year in China. I'm looking for an S53R in good condition to convert like the ones we have, with a rear platform for the grand piano. You can call me at 0689 430 464 or leave me a text with your number. Cheers and thanks, Bassam

Hi there,

I think I’ve found my bus, but my wife says it’s a bit big....... What do you all think?



Have a good evening and see you later!

lol nahotchan!!😏

Thanks a bunch to those who replied. I think I'll wait until the bus is parked right outside the door so I can get a better idea of how big the electrical setup we're gonna install will be, and then calculate the average power consumption we'll have. I also think going all 24V is the best choice.

PS: I'm gonna need all hands on deck to fit out the bus, so the electrics will be handled by a pro.😛

Hi,

For question 2, yes, you can install a door.

For question 1, maybe negotiate with the inspector? I managed to get mine approved within 6 months (3 exactly), but with a *very* basic setup, of course.

Regarding the issue of downgraded buses, there used to be "arrangements" with the inspector’s consent—it’s harder now (that’s why there are so many for sale). I knew of a bus that was reclassified as a heavy goods vehicle (HGV). To pass inspection, we had to remove the mattresses from the bunk beds, and it was approved as shelving... but those "good old days" are luckily coming to an end.

🙂 Hey there, almost neighbor,

Come check out mine, we can take a spin together—it’s the same JN1E24 base from 1986, so: the same flaws -> front engine, so it’s noisy the same perks -> front engine, so you can fully open the back

As for the JN1E24 base, you can find all the parts new or used. Personally, I’m putting in 6 new injectors this "arvo"—it’s a PL base designed for construction sites and rolling stock (super sturdy), plus the sound of the 6-cylinder... reasonable fuel consumption (unless the injectors are dead🤪)

Drawbacks: It’s an 80s PL design—soft, the gearbox is pretty stiff in 1st until you’ve hit 600,000 km😏. If it’s all mechanical suspension, it’s stiff when empty; if it’s air suspension like mine, it’s great on the road, but you’ve gotta get used to it at first—I thought I was driving my old CX when it was overloaded. Perks: It’s indestructible! Well, don’t go overboard😏—it’s not a D-Day Dodge. The brakes are mixed (hydraulic/air), so they’re easier to adjust and fix.

The Carrier seats 28, and the GX47 (Heuliez) seats 36, so 2 extra rows of seats—1.35m difference. Also, the Carrier for sale at "Gaby’s" has a turbo, so it’s got more power but is more fragile and won’t last as long (and consumes a bit more too).

Before buying a Carrier, check with the manufacturer to see if they’ll put in writing that they authorize downgrading it to a motorhome... The DRIRE where I’m from suggested Heuliez (to avoid saying anything else—I’ll PM you if you want more details).

The Carrier is at 8,300 € with a valid MOT—Gaby-Chariots is legit and they’re nice folks.

Otherwise, I know of the same GX47 as mine but without the rear swing door??? Weird!!! BUT it’s for sale in Belgium with 1,140,341 km—original😄! Yes, a million! Apparently with the same engine (I’m skeptical but waiting for the file by email). It still has French paperwork, MOT not valid, and is priced at 2,900 € ex-VAT, so 3,509 € incl. VAT (21% VAT in Belgium)—and we complain in France!

I’ve been thinking about selling mine (only 235,000 km), but I might have to keep using it a bit longer—it doesn’t look so impressive next to the million-kilometer one😏

GX47

🙂 I want the same! Exactly what I'm looking for...

Each to their own space. Mine at the front, the 3 kids in the middle each with their own compartment, and my wife at the back with a system to detach the last compartment on the road for stormy days😄😄😄

HELLO EVERYONE!

I'm still waiting for the photos from the weekend participants!

I got ggbdb65's, they're great!

I'm waiting for the others, I'm making a compilation, and I'll post it online to annoy everyone—especially those who didn't come!

PATRICK26

AND THERE YOU GO!.....

We spend a weekend messing around with nonsense and someone snags the 1000th post.....😕

Though, if I had to trade my two barrels of "weekend bus" for your barrel of "super 1000th post", .... I’d keep my two barrels of "weekend bus"!😛

You know what?

I didn’t even cry over not getting it! The weekend was just so amazing!😎

In the end, it’s good you got the 1000th post—it’s kind of a consolation prize, somewhere......

Alright, I’ll stop! Any more and it might come off as mean!😉

I’LL DO WHAT IT TAKES FOR THE 2000TH!

PATRICK26

On my bus, the windows are mounted on seals, so not the same at all!

For your conversions, try to get in touch with Pandrée, who’s a coachbuilder and redid his T815 with bonded windows, just like on your FR1. He’ll be able to give you the kind of details only professionals can provide.

BY THE WAY, does your FR1 have a corridor or a flat floor? What are the heights:

1- from the bottom of the corridor (the aisle between the seats) to the ceiling 2- from the top of the step (where your feet are when you’re seated) to the ceiling 3- from the top of the step (where your feet are when you’re seated) to the underside of the luggage racks

Which exact version do you have?

Thanks for the info in return.

PATRICK26

😄😄😄 L.O.L.😄😄😄

😇We agreed with the folks on the Forum—we’ll let you have the 10,000th post if you promise a MEGA party 😏you already snagged the 1st Post😄 so...

PS: You don’t *have* to post the weekend photos😠 no, I’m kidding, I’ll turn a blind eye to avoid a meltdown (a *mergez* one?)

Anyway, I know there are quite a few coach drivers here (a little shout-out—on the road, it’s *you* who wave, not the motorhome folks when I pass them😉), so I’d love to get the lowdown on the Renault TRACER. Tell me everything about it. Thanks in advance!

PS: For anyone who isn’t a driver but can give me the scoop, you’re welcome too—thanks!

And there we go🙂 I finally found it!😏 Just a stone's throw from home🤪 My dream spot for my camper that I’ve been looking for since June!! And for 400 euros a year, it’s a steal for the area!😎

So now, all that’s left is to find the perfect bus where I can stand up straight—so over 1.95 m— with good storage, a flat floor, not too high, and most importantly, a manufacturer that allows deregistration and modifications. Might as well look for a five-legged unicorn. Gonna have to make some compromises. Budget is max 15,000 €, so if anyone knows something that fits my description... Let me know.

WELL, HERE'S NEWS WORTH CELEBRATING—YOUR WHOLE FAMILY MUST BE THRILLED!

Bravo for convincing Grandpa and his neighbor!

Come on, Lycos, search! Find a bus!

PATRICK26

Hi Patrick, I finally took a few minutes to thank you for the great organization of this weekend. We had a lot of fun meeting you—thanks again! Plus, what a joy to discover the AFNOR standards—I’m still laughing my head off. Greetings to everyone, and see you soon.

😉😇Congrats and all the best for you, gaz-gaz!!!! That’s some great news😉… because it’s not easy to park a Boeing 747 😛

For my part, I’ve almost finished the little jobs that’ll let me put mine in. So you get how I get what you get…🤪

Uh… you still with me?!!?

Okay, I might go to bed—this work’s made me seriously knackered, and I’m so over being this tired!🤪🤪🤪

so I want to clarify a few things...because I at least looked into electricity.

In 24V, I think you consume the same as in 12V...(otherwise I’d just go straight to high voltage at 40,000 volts). I’m exaggerating, but your 60-watt lamp at 220 volts at home will consume the same as your two 30-watt 12V lights in the bus.

Only the amperage changes: P (in watts, W) is the power consumed instantly by a device (which can be multi-voltage like a fridge that runs on 12V, 220V, and gas) and it will consume the same amount.

However, P=U*I with voltage U and current I in amperes.

So if you have 100 watts at 24 volts, that gives you 4 amperes in the cable. If you have 100 watts at 12V, that gives you 8 amperes, meaning your cable will heat up, you’ll have losses... so you’ll consume a little more, unless you size your cable properly (in 4 mm², but it’s best to confirm this).

Calculating power consumption:

In your batteries, you have a capacity expressed in ampere-hours, meaning amperes × 1 hour.

A battery (or batteries connected in parallel) of 200 ampere-hours will let you run for 10 hours with a consumption of 20 amperes (reminder: 1 ampere = 1 ampere-hour PER HOUR). This means that, in the end, your 24V device will consume half as much... however, with a 12V 200 Ah battery, you’ll have to double it with an identical battery in series!

To recap for those who managed to follow: a 24V device will require 2 batteries (which can be half the power), while a 12V device will only need one battery.

In the end, the amount of energy produced is the same... you’ll connect your solar panels in series for 24V, whereas in 12V, you’ll connect them in parallel.

The only advantages of 24V are (minor) cable losses and compatibility with the engine circuit. The latter can be easily worked around in 12V... you can still charge your "living area" circuit with your engine alternator (a hack I haven’t looked into, but the principle is a 12V resistor in series, a switch, or something else).

hi, I’m currently buying a batch of 4 RENAULT S53 and S45 coaches, 3 of which are in good condition (chassis and engine), and I’m looking for any info on these coaches