Converting a heavy-duty bus/coach/truck into a motorhome (page 63 of 161)

🙂😉 Hey SARTHOIS, where are you from?

If you're from Le Mans, I'll be there Thursday morning (at DEKRA testing center with my coach at 10:30 AM - it's at Mulsannes at the old DRIRE inspection center on the outer circuit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans) Stop by if you can - we'll have a quick chat.

Anyway, I don't know the FR1, I think there are some with sloped floors and it's a mesh framework.

FLAT FLOOR means no step down at the central aisle level so you can stand between the seats - you have a step to sit on. On vans, this step is an added box (wooden or metal) (Master, Vario) - on coaches, sometimes it's built in from the factory, which increases the storage compartment volume (the manufacturers make coaches to serve as coaches, they don't care if some "crazy person" wants to convert it into something else after its service life).

I've heard of a little issue with loose parts on the FR1

Hi everyone!

Thanks for your comments - when in doubt, I'll leave it to the others 😕

Everyone who has a bus-based motorhome SPV - please show all your exterior and interior photos. Thanks!

Hi

The FR1 doesn't have a flat floor, but there's no problem with spare parts. http://fr15966.skyblog.com/index.html

Great job documenting your conversion step by step in pictures! This kind of blog will definitely help more than one person pull off their own conversion project. This is exactly what was needed. Thanks so much, and keep us posted on what comes next....

Hey everyone!

Alright, I'm in a good mood today😉, so here's a little gift!

For those who want to see some conversions, check out the following address—it's the German association of converted-bus owners!

At the address below, then follow the link provided, and you'll land on the section where members showcase the work they've done on their vehicles!

Watch out! They're all German or Swiss—the regulations aren't the same as ours! Get inspired, but keep the AFNOR guidelines as your reference!

Happy browsing.....

http://www.wohnbus.ch/

Section 4: "Vorstellungen"

Personally, my top 3 favorites are the ones by the parapanters, Loxxo, and Monika and Jörg Pfiffner's MAN!

PATRICK26

Great FR159 bus as a motorhome base!

It's tough to convert a bus into a heavy-duty vehicle😐 I need to find out where!

Hey there, fr159,

In one of your previous posts, you mentioned you were close to your Veritas inspection and the Mines exam.

How’s it going?

Did Veritas come by? Did it go well? The Mines exam? ....

Keep us posted—whether the news is good or bad, it’ll be a learning experience for other forum members.

Give us the lowdown.

I still hope everything goes smoothly for you (but given the moods of some Mines engineers, just know we all understand it’s a stressful ordeal...)

PATRICK26

Great job on the work you've done!

I’m also about to start converting a coach and I’m going to choose an FR1.

Could we meet up?

And how did the regulatory part go—or how’s it going?

Best regards,

Pascal MARY

06 82 90 43 58

PS: I live part-time near Le Croisic (close to Kersode, who’s also on this forum for an FR1) and the other part near Valence (close to Patrick26)

😉 FOR YOU PATRICK, with the Merc on board

http://blog.kornemuz.com/?2006/10/27/265-une-planque-discrete

hey cyril0603 I’ve had an FR1 for a month I removed the seats which I sold to a transporter who operates several of them he explained to me that since the end of 1986 FR1s have been dipped in anti-rust baths and no longer rust (mine’s from 10/1987 and doesn’t have a single spot of rust) since early 1987 they’ve been equipped with ABS they’re low-maintenance and you can find parts really easily, fuel consumption is very reasonable with the MIDR 06.20.45 engine and it’s super comfortable main issue is the lower ball joint on the wishbone which needs checking regularly by lifting the wheel, tightening the tensioners on the beam, and the AC compressor which is fragile apart from that it’s one of the best buses of the era the only downsides are the dashboard and the ceiling height which is a bit tight for tall people see ya jose6440

My Mercedes (an E220 CDI) won’t fit in the bus😕!

Only my wife’s Yaris will fit in the back.... It’s already not bad, and better than a Smart for a family of 5!

Anyway, there was some serious work done on the Mercedes chassis (at first glance!) to fit the carrier basket for a 1.6-ton SLK! With the jacks and the platform, it must’ve been insane! The engineering team who designed the system must’ve had a blast....

With the whole setup, I’m basically buying: a house, a bus, a car, a motorcycle, and more...

But I’m not jealous, just impressed! It’s some amazing work! And if the interior lives up to the exterior, wow!!!!!

PATRICK26

😉Hi,

I’m not envious either, just admiring like you.

Here’s hoping everyone makes progress on their project😛

Hi everyone! I’ve been following your work for a while now and finally decided to join the forum to take part in your discussions. I’m looking to convert a vehicle that really stands out from the usual options.

I’ve been digging deep into the regulations for amateur construction—it’s tricky but doable as long as you don’t cut corners. For the conversion itself, having the right tools, some time, and a few tips picked up here and there will help, but you’ll also need a bit of investment to start off on the right foot.

Hi, I was wondering if someone could tell me—I had my S53 bus weighed. It weighs 9,020 kg empty, with 4,540 kg on the front axle and 4,480 kg on the rear axle. So, there’s a 60 kg difference on the front axle. Is that an issue for load distribution calculations and also for the *Mines* (roadworthiness inspection)?

If anyone has the answer to my question, that’d be great!

Thanks, Kali

so happy to have you with us, GRD😉

what’s more, I totally agree with your approach:

a little budget, looking into the regulations—which aren’t impossible to handle, some good tools, and being a decent DIYer.

oh! you forgot one essential point—having a bit of space😉!

those darn vehicles take up a lot, and to fit them out, you need just as much space as they occupy (and that’s the bare minimum—I know what I’m talking about, since I’m right in the middle of it!)

plus, we’re not far from each other—Valence is only an hour from Lyon... and soon, my bus and famillede8’s will be side by side to finish work on mine and start on theirs.

I’m bringing back the idea of "bus sessions"....

if anyone’s interested, here’s the deal: this isn’t a meet-up to party! we get together to work on projects in groups.

topics are planned in advance.

those who know help the others.

the goal is that by the end of the weekend, everyone’s project has moved forward.

example:

Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM: "homologation paperwork"

I’ll take the lead with two or three people who don’t know how to tackle it to get them started (DRIRE, Veritas, etc.....)

from 1 PM to 3 PM, we’ll grab a bite together.

in return, from 3 PM to 6 PM, we’ll work on my bus, and those two or three will lend a hand with the little jobs I’m struggling with on my own!

and on Sunday, we’ll do it again with interior layout plans and our friend sjunior!

other exchanges of the same kind can happen:

someone who’s better at woodwork with someone who’s better at electrics, or a mechanic with a bodywork specialist (or even all four working together and rotating!)

I’m just throwing out ideas—grab what you like....

if this interests you, let us know! given how many projects are underway, I don’t think my idea will go unnoticed...😉

PATRICK26

😉Awesome, another wild idea welcome, but you’d better be well prepared to make sure it works out. Which bus are you heading for?

NO PROBLEM!

That’s not how it works!

But it’s complicated in a post🤪!

Let’s try...

The manufacturer gives a maximum weight and a minimum weight (yep!) per axle. You’ve got to stay within that range, without exceeding the vehicle’s max weight or going below the minimum weight (yep!).

Your axle weights are unlikely to be equal—I’d even say you’ve got a better chance of winning the lottery!

Check your red bar and try to figure it out based on that. If you can’t, send me your phone number via private message (a landline if possible), and I’ll call you back. (I’ve got your red bar, a sheet of paper, a pen, and a calculator right here).

PATRICK26

🙂 hey GX 47, I’ll be there tomorrow morning around 10:30 AM. We can chat before or after—or even both if you want. Otherwise, I’m 20 km north of Le Mans. cyril0603

Hey, I'm a friend of mrkonn's and he said you could definitely help me out. I want to buy a heavy truck—either a Saviem or Mercedes, with a 15 or 12 ton chassis. Is it still possible to convert them to VSAP homecaravanning?