Converting a heavy-duty bus/coach/truck into a motorhome (page 6 of 161)

Yes, that's right, I'm going where you told me.

OK so if I just need to remove the seats, I think I'd leave 2 days earlier than planned in that case, to have time to take them out.

I'll call the local authority Monday.

Um, where's the nearest heavy vehicle authority in this area??

😉

Hey there!

You need to contact Mr Bouchet or Mr Fajoux at the DRIRE in La Rochelle, but make an appointment first—they won't take you just like that. You need to send them your file first, and then they'll call you in.

Bye!

Xavier.

Hi, I'm new to this site and I'm looking for information on converting a bus into a motorhome to travel around Europe with my family. Please don't hesitate to reach out with your advice! I'm based in Savoie 73 and I'm happy to travel to meet people who have a bus or are currently converting one. Thanks and see you soon!

Hi there!

You need to contact Mr Bouchet or Mr Fajoux at the DRIRE in La Rochelle, but make an appointment first - they won't see you without one. You need to send them your paperwork first, and then they'll call you in.

Bye!

Xavier.

Hi sputnick,

I'm going to be getting my heavy vehicle license soon and I'd like to get some info:

How do I get collector's insurance and which insurance companies offer it?

I'd like to buy a truck (around 7.5 tons), whether it's already converted or not. But first, I wanted to ask if you could give me information about the registration procedures (is it difficult to convert it to a motorhome? If the truck comes from Germany and it's already converted, what are the registration requirements, etc.)

Thanks for all the information you can provide me 😉

If other people have information about motorhome conversion, importing heavy vehicles whether already converted or not, and anything about the regulations, I'd really appreciate if you could share it with me... 🙂

Thanks to everyone willing to answer 😄

I'm currently converting a DAF / HEULIEZ MB205 bus.

Cheaper and more spacious than a standard car, the paperwork (in France) isn't insurmountable for registration.

I'm ready to help anyone who wants to take on this kind of project. Those who know, help those who want to do it....

Hi Patrick, I'm also thinking about converting a Volvo B10 (mid-engine) 280hp from 1984. And I'd like your opinion and what's needed for registration, and also if (no driver's door) is also a real problem. Thanks in advance

Hi, happy to find valuable information here! I'm working on a project to convert a bus into my home.

If you know any good contacts (or not-so-good ones!) where I could find a bus around €1,500 that looks like an old Renault Series C, thanks a lot!

Yann

my address yananthaka@yahoo.co.uk

Hey, I'm looking to buy a bus to turn it into my home. How much are you selling yours for, and can it be reclassified as a camper van? What else needs to be done?

I'm looking for a bus to buy and convert into a motorhome or maybe not.....

Contact me if you have good tips, thanks

Hi; I have a bus for sale, it's a short Renault Saviem E7 from 1979, MAN engine at the rear, 8.5m long, air suspensions, double pare prise, driver's door, Webasto. I'm leaving my email bastboite@hotmail.com photos on request.

Hey,

I'm worried 8.50 meters won't be enough—I'm looking for one that's at least 10 meters. Thanks anyway.

I'm in the process of converting a DAF/HEULIEZ MB205 bus.

Cheaper and more spacious than a regular vehicle, the paperwork (in France) for homologation isn't insurmountable.

I'm ready to help anyone who wants to tackle this type of project. Those who know should help those who want to....

Hi Patrick, I'm also considering converting a 1984 Volvo B10 (central engine) 280cv. I'd like your opinion and what's needed for homologation, and also whether the lack of a driver door is a real problem. Thanks in advance

Hey,

I'm worried 8.50 meters won't be enough, I'm looking for a minimum of 10 meters, thanks anyway

Hey stef06, I've got a buddy who's planning to sell his bus, it's a Berliet PR14S 12m, it's fitted out and registered from '79, I don't know much more than that and it's been a while since I last saw the bus, if you're interested let me know and I'll find out more

Hey thony

hey Thony,

I'm interested in the bus. Try to find out about it and get some photos. Thanks

RECAP

I found all that on

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/pl65/homologation/homologation.htm

by trying not to pay for the famous AFNOR guide, you can find everything you need

1. The 7 mandatory steps to complete. Establish a specification document for the work to be done. Then go pick up a single-approval reception file from your local prefecture at the Traffic and Vehicle Service office. Follow your motorhome's construction plan while respecting the standards. Don't hesitate to consult a mines engineer if you have any doubts. (This will help you down the line) Your vehicle finished, after the manual work, here now comes the "intellectual" work. You'll present your motorhome to an approved control body (Veritas, Socotec, etc.). This inspection will cover fire and asphyxiation risks: gas installation, electrical installation, ventilation, heating. A certificate will be issued at the end of this visit. From that moment, the vehicle can be presented to the Mining Services. You must have your motorhome weighed on a public scale, three times: axle by axle, and total weight. Curb weight is the weight of the vehicle with all reservoirs full (fuel, water, and gas) with a 75 kg driver. You'll also need to create a vehicle diagram showing the distribution of the payload (total loaded weight (GVW) minus curb weight (CW)). You can now go submit your file to the prefecture. Don't forget the compliance certificate, the three weighing reports, the base vehicle's description notice (see the manufacturer), if applicable the body-mounting certificate, and the registration application. All that's left is to wait for the Mining Services summons. The Mining Services inspection happens about three to six weeks after submitting your file to the prefecture. If you've followed and successfully passed the previous steps, this formality shouldn't cause any problems. After reviewing the various documents and controls: maker's plate, modifications, lighting, braking, stability, etc.......the Mining Services engineer draws up the reception report and declares the vehicle compliant. If it's not, you'll need to make the indicated modifications and resubmit the vehicle. Once the report is drawn up and submitted to the prefecture, you can obtain your motorhome's registration card. 2. The list of documents to provide. (so you don't forget anything) A single-approval reception application. A registration certificate application (plus the tax stamps to stick on it). A photocopy of the vehicle's registration card. A photocopy of the base vehicle's description notice. The three weighing receipts for the vehicle in running order. A notice describing the modifications carried out. Dimensioned drawings of the modifications (a top view, a view of each modified side with measurements relative to the vehicle's interior floor). The body-mounting certificate, if you're in one of the following cases: Vehicle registered in a standard series in France (having a registration card where the modification wasn't done to the vehicle as it's identified on its current registration card, but in a new body that was mounted on this vehicle to replace the existing body). Vehicle not registered in a standard series in France (vehicle imported from abroad, new vehicle sold in France, vehicle from government surplus, reconstructed vehicle, etc.), when the modification wasn't done to the vehicle as it came off the automobile manufacturer's assembly line, but in a body that was added to this vehicle.

For a motorhome: the NF-S56200 compliance certificate established on CERFA form no. 55-137 by the motorhome manufacturer, installer, or importer, as well as the NF-S56200 compliance inspection report from the control body.(if fuel gas (LPG) is used either to power appliances or as engine fuel, other documents must be provided)

Two stamped envelopes with your name and address, format 230x163.

thank you punkyo

Hey, I'm going to try to see my buddy this weekend and I'll tell you more

Hey...

PATRICK26, it's great to find someone who really knows this subject seriously. So I'm asking some questions too because you can definitely help me move forward on a project I'm passionate about.

I'm looking to get a Mercedes 911 type LA. I found a source of decommissioned vehicles from the TWA (equivalent to the Red Cross in Germany, I think). The vehicles are double cabin + cargo box in extended version and should date from the 70s–80s. Given the age of this model (the 911 base is still very common in Asia, Africa...), I might switch to a more recent model with the same characteristics. Because in this project, which is still a bit of a dream for now, I'm really looking to transform the whole thing into a spacious RV, imagining removing the cargo box and roof to attach a living unit, and also adding a pop-up roof on that unit as well as a hydraulic rear gate system (all hydraulic) and many other things besides. I think technically everything is possible and I've seen several examples of vehicles like this, often technical vehicles used by professionals. In this long-term project, which will require quite a lot of resources and know-how (the natural idea being to build a true small mobile and modular home as a second residence), I'd also try to use recent technologies to make the vehicle more ergonomic, and with a view to better autonomy, reduced pollution, more comfort or safety.... Solar, biofuel, rainwater harvesting, heat pump, or even satellite communication. Since I'd use this vehicle as part of my work (development support), transforming it will require calling on multiple skills and capabilities that I mostly don't have. Indeed, if I'm a good DIYer and used to mechanical headaches, I especially need to learn. I'm already surrounding myself with the right people and looking for good tips and resources that go in this direction.

While I wait to get the base vehicle, I'm planning a smaller intermediate project for now: a B110 4x4 van, ex-CRS, recently decommissioned, that I found near my place.

I'd have thousands of questions about the technical and administrative aspects for both projects, and especially for the 911, but I have some main ones that apply to both: Does the law allow modifications to the bodywork of an original vehicle even with an MOT inspection, and how does it apply? For example, for the 911, removing the cargo box and attaching a living unit that would need to be fixed to the chassis and welded to the cabin. What serious and honest professionals are there in France in vehicle conversion for this type of project, at least for the bodywork part? Shouldn't I contact the ministry directly without going through the DRIRE to get the certifications? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of registration documents you mentioned earlier in this topic?

Well, I hope I wasn't too long. Thanks to you for sharing your knowledge and experience and your open-mindedness!

DidierG in 69

hey everyone quick intro since I'm new to the forum I've been driving for almost 2 years with a MB309d converted Westfalia called JAMES COOK, which I brought back from Germany. From what I understand, you want to remove your truck's cab, cut the bodywork and install a module to connect the living area with the driving space. It seems to me that's possible, you need to ask the manufacturer for authorization to cut the bodywork, usually from their technical department. But the catch is, the rear part of the cab can't have any structural elements. As for professionals, there are some mentioned above. In my opinion, the DRIRE will be able to answer you, but watch out because sometimes they get the answers wrong, since they don't know exactly what you want. And they're not there to sell you a service!!! (the fewer questions you ask them, the happier they are) The ideal is to meet with them, the person handling reception, and get along. As for my next one, I plan to outfit it without electricity, without gas, without water, just furniture and seating, everything simple (in terms of regulations). And after inspection by the authorities, install the electricity, gas, and water.

Hey everyone!

So I just bought my S53 for 1500 euros from Aunis Saintonge, and it's in really good condition – 640,000 km, engine rebuilt at 550,000.

A friend is bringing it to me by end of week so I can start the work.

If anyone is looking for an S45 (10m) for 1500€, they have one in perfect condition – bodywork has no rust, chassis is immaculate, engine is very clean, 605,000 km, RX-type grille – a really great deal. It's actually better than the S53 I just bought, but since I'd already drawn up the plans I didn't feel like changing. If anyone's interested I've got photos.

To reply to dJi69iJb: if you're planning to set up a bus without gas, watch out – apparently according to regulations they want at least a cooking system to be VASP (I guess that's to make sure people don't put a forbidden mobile system in a motorhome...)

When I got my 309D homologated 1.5 years ago (September 2003), I got it registered as a non-spec VASP with two benches and some furnishings, plus an 80 cm roof extension, without gas. Now I've got a domestic LPG kit. (Hope there's no accident, God willing). And before I sell it, I'm going to re-register it as a 6-seater. Sure, a coach or bus as a home could be better, but I'm worried about damaging the overhangs if I venture into rough terrain (rough paths), and €1,500 leaves a good margin for outfitting it. But for now I'm leaning more towards a 4x4 commercial vehicle.