Converting a heavy-duty bus/coach/truck into a motorhome (page 78 of 161)

Hi everyone. I’m posting here even though I’m new to this forum. I agree with Pat about tome38. It’s true that sometimes it’s hard to understand what he writes. But I think everyone has the right to express themselves even if they’re not great at spelling. You can be bad at French and still be really skilled with your hands. I won’t add anything more to that because I don’t want to make things worse. (I just wanted to share my opinion)

Anyway, I don’t remember who had a size issue, but I wanted to say that at 1.85m tall, I have the same problem because my Volvo is only 185cm in the middle and 175cm on the sides. So, no big deal! I’m going to lower the floor by about ten centimeters. Anyway, if you want to install a shower, the smallest ones available are 185cm.

Anyway, "famillede8", I just wanted to congratulate you on your recent purchase. You must be thrilled to have such a gem!!!

For those who’ve followed my misadventures, have you seen the weather? No? Well, it looks like it’s going to be dry for a couple of days. I’ll finally be able to get it inside and keep it dry. (I’m sure some of you are still laughing!)

Anyway, I’ll stop here because I always end up writing posts that go on for miles.

Wishing you all great moments of enjoyment.

David

hi

wow, you two are really going for it🙁🙁 okay, I’ll take good note, mrkom😉, I’m doing my best to write so people understand me not everyone can be a champion like you guys it takes all kinds to make a world, otherwise life would be way too boring🏴‍☠️. I’m slow to catch on, I didn’t have the same education as you—I just learned the basics at MIN. I’m asking everyone on this forum, which is AMAZING to me, to be patient with me thanks everyone

patrick26: tell me which Neoplan model with 2.02m interior height I can take😉 thanks

I don’t know how you do it, mrkonn, to find those sites—when I search online, I only find sites with Neoplans, but when I call, they tell me the buses listed for sale have been gone for months😠

No, but seriously, what kind of question is that? You weren’t planning to abandon the little ones at birth, were you? With so many people looking for LARGE buses...

I’m repeating my request from page 63, post 1512—which neither you nor famillede8 answered (maybe you didn’t read it?). "I WANT TO BE THE GODFATHER OF THE FIRST ONE." Damn, if you don’t see that now—even skimming the posts sideways—you must be blind!

Unless having a godfather in showbiz would look bad... though it’s pretty common, right?

He’ll be thrilled! I’ll teach him all sorts of fun stuff: how to make banknotes disappear, juggle valves, sing in tune at 2000 RPM, balance on one wheel, do slick slides on ice (I loooove that), and maybe even a few backflips landing on his wheels (I’m the best at that). So, what do you think? The kid won’t be bored, right?

(Oh, and he’ll have to handle the FR1 with the Heuliez’s opening—though the FR1 is a BLACK . He should manage it. My Heuliez has a narrower opening for the little French folks, though. )

GX47

😉For my part, I don’t have any diplomas

it’s just the "system D"—as they say, it takes all kinds to make a world. I’ll contact you by PM

Better your new post. I see that when you want to, it goes better. Don’t get me wrong, everyone. I’m not declaring war on mistakes. My second remark about spelling was just to support the first: namely, that tome38 doesn’t listen much to what people tell him with his highly repetitive questions. I admit it annoys me. For my part, and to put an end to this controversy I didn’t ask for, of course it takes all kinds to make a world, and tome38 can count on my unconditional support—but he should listen a bit more to what people answer... I’m a bit like mrkonn; my thing is the "système D." I agree with others: mistakes or their absence don’t reflect the intelligence of their author—it’s obviously independent. I only have a vocational diploma in electrical work, but I make an effort to be readable because I’m addressing others, and I want my message or question to come across clearly when I write it. Anyway, let’s get back to our beloved coaches, and like the Seven Dwarfs, let’s whistle while we work!!!

Hi there, and congratulations on your blog! The photos really show the progress of the work in real time. It's also great that the layout is so clear—it lets everyone understand how to manage the space. One question: where did you find the plan for your bus, or did you design it yourself?

Good luck, and congrats again! ;)

hi, I'm new here and I'm planning to convert a Saviem E7. I'll probably have quite a few questions to ask—would you be up for helping me out and answering them?

The **de8 family bus** is absolutely stunning, and I have a question: I find Renault models really interesting and a great base for a conversion. Are there several versions in this range, and does anyone have original plans and dimensions for the **FR1**? If not, where can I find them? Thanks in advance! Fab

I think FR159 already covered the dimensions in a previous post. In my opinion, it's a good starting point if you're okay with the middle aisle. The 8-seater family model does have a flat floor, but it's pretty rare.

I don’t remember this post.

Just for me. I checked, and it wasn’t FR159 that provided those dimensions. I can’t remember who, but a happy owner of an FR1. I don’t recall the author, but this post exists.

😉Hi Tortue26,

It should be easy for you—lots of people are around the Drôme area. Is your Saviem a coach with a driver’s door??? No problem with your questions—try reading from page 19, you’ll find plenty of answers.

What’s your plan with the bus?

Patrick, could you tell us which Neoplan models are 202 cm tall?

For the FR1 dimensions, it was José6440 on page 54 who shared the interior heights:

"hey cyril0603 and everyone else The interior height is 1.96 m from the aisle and 1.81 m on the sides after removing the luggage compartments."

I’d also love to get my hands on a dimensioned plan for the FR1. If anyone has one . . . . . .

Hi

The first photo comes from an old promotional brochure (1989) that I scanned, and the other two I made using a simple drawing and photo-editing software. I’m posting them here so they’ll be easier to see, and maybe they’ll be useful for some talented designers—I’ve got more, from the front, back...

Later!

Hey everyone, at the rate I'm going, I think I'll be able to share updates on my misadventures pretty regularly. (For those who've been following my journey from the start)

Anyway, this morning, when I woke up and saw the weather forecast predicting more rain in the northeast by tomorrow (Wednesday), I thought I'd try to get it inside and warm again.

Nope, for those who already think I got it stuck in the mud—sorry to disappoint, but I didn’t bog it down.

Actually, it won’t do anything. The starter’s just spinning wildly!!! It’s never done that since I’ve had it. Since I don’t have time to check it out today, I’ll take a look tomorrow.

Anyway, I hope you all have a great time with your loved ones.

David

Hang in there, we’ll all get there. We all know it’s not always easy. Things are going smoothly for me right now too, but the officials threw the first stone about where I parked my RV. 🏴‍☠️ So I’m constantly in front of the computer, polishing up a letter that’ll easily be 2 pages with photos as support. What a pain… I write sentences no better than tomes38… I delete and start over every time. Meanwhile, my RV stays tarped up😕, I hope it’s not taking it badly. On top of that, I’ve got to find a job again… 🏴‍☠️😕 so it’ll be at least 700 km a day by truck, meaning I’ll only work on it on weekends… 😕😕😕 sniff

BUT LUCKILY FOR ME… AND UNLUCKILY FOR ALL THE PHYSICAL OR OTHERWISE ELEMENTS HOLDING ME BACK THEY DON’T KNOW WHO THEY’RE DEALING WITH… So… bad weather, officials, work, low morale, etc. I’ll dedicate a big shout-out to them on my RV when it’s done.

Nice RV, famillede8! 😉 Congrats! Like GX47, I wouldn’t say no to a little mixed model if they make more… 🙂🙂🙂🙂😄😏😄😏😄😏

Here’s a quick rundown on bus plans to help you design your layouts... Finding accurate, scale plans for our buses is a bit of a hassle, I’ll admit. I’ve got a working base for some bus models (not all—Neoplans yes, the whole range, but no S53!). However, it’s just a base, not full plans, since these are side views and sometimes front/rear exterior shots of the bodywork (what we call vehicle outlines for decals). So there’s still work to do to fill in the missing views, and I have to cross-reference multiple sources (photos, real measurements...) and I’m making progress little by little based on what I find to refine my plans...

Right now, I’m working on the FR1 for famillede8 and jose6440, but even there, there are model differences! The plans I have are still approximate, and I’m missing details like the location of inspection hatches, lantern positions, etc. That said, all the bodywork measurements are accurate.

Now, the issue of putting these online: First, my base materials are professional, paid resources subject to usage rights (a bit like the AFNOR guide). Second, I don’t want to post them online (neither here nor on the blog) because they’re more accurate than what some bus conversion professionals (like Iseo) have, and it’s still a lot of work. If those pros are reading this (hi 😇), there’s no reason they should have access to my work (they can just hire me—I’m looking for a job, after all😛). Third, I don’t know your computer skills or equipment, so I’m not sure how to share them (that’s a minor detail), but I work with scale vector drawing software, and I don’t think you all have access to it... but you can contact me via PM.

This last point brings me to ggbdb65’s find: the Vehiplan software (here’s the link again: http://www.trafic-amenage.com/). Has anyone checked it out or tried it? I think for many of you, it’d be easier to use (despite its flaws) than doing tests by hand in Word or some random drawing software. The big advantage would be being able to share your plans (elements and backgrounds).

Oh, and Pat26 had this idea for a themed weekend... even if you don’t have the same buses or layouts, it could be fun to brainstorm plans—one person’s ideas might spark others’! Up to you!😉

Quick aside to ggbdb65: I just spoke to Pat on the phone—good luck with your (and your) idea you’re going to talk about...

By the way, for Pat26 and Famillede8’s first little one in their buses, if they agree to let GX47 be the godfather (which I’m sure they will), we’ll make an artist out of him! Fun fact: his uncle (the twin brother of the FR1 Privèlège, black, same interior) is converted for the tours of... Dani Lari!!!

Ciao everyone, and welcome to newcomers like tortue26 (who’s taking it slow—*piano, va sano*), don’t be shy—ask questions about your grandpa bus, but first, read all the posts (starting from page 19) and tell us about your project!

my first question: why remove the windows just to replace them with sheet metal? Otherwise, the plan to convert the coach and head to Benin, Nigeria, Kenya—hot countries—and many others if possible

😉I'm planning to tolerate it above the windows (glue + rivet)

@+

Hi everyone.

Just a little info for you. After getting a headache from reading the forum pages on my PC and to avoid asking questions that have already been asked, I decided to print out all the forum pages from the beginning so I could read them at my leisure. Well, that’s about 800 A4 pages!!!!

On that note, I just want to say a big thank you to Pat for not giving up on this forum, because, from what I read, it was somewhat controversial around November-December 2004!

Anyway, I hope our shared dreams continue to enrich this forum so we can all achieve our project. Just imagine if one day we all managed to get together with our babies.

In any case, it would show the impact this forum has created.

For now, I wish you all great moments of pleasure. (Or moments of constraint—I’m talking about myself here!)

David