Converting a heavy-duty bus/coach/truck into a motorhome (page 82 of 161)

hi

what kind of repairs should I expect for a coach with 956,000 km?

Hey everyone!

I’m aurel44 (Aurelien from the 44, not too creative but it explains things well). I’m new to this site—I’d come across it a few months ago but never signed up. It seems really great, and from what I see, some people here really know their stuff when it comes to heavy-duty vehicle conversions. That’s exactly why I signed up—I just passed my heavy-duty license (PL). And I really want to get a converted one. The thing is, reading your posts, it feels like there’s a ton of hassle, especially with regulations. So I’ve got a few questions to help me see things more clearly and decide between buying a truck or an empty bus to convert myself, or buying one already done. And between a bus or a truck, I’m torn. Here we go: 1. Can I convert a bus or truck however I want without the DRIRE (transport authority) giving me a hard time? 2. Does it depend on the registration (CC, van, etc.)? 3. Is the process the same for a bus and a truck with the DRIRE, or are they more strict about one or the other? 4. Are there specific standards for things like electricity, gas, etc.? 5. Do insurance companies require anything special? I’ve got more questions, but for a first post, I don’t want to seem too annoying!

Otherwise, for helpplease, I read you were looking to buy a PR14 bus for 2000 € with 650,000 km. I saw an ad—I don’t know if it’s worth it, but it’s something to think about (those who know their stuff can probably give their opinion). A guy is selling 2 PR14 buses with MAN engines—they must have 400,000 or 500,000 km on the chassis. The engines were replaced. One has 60,000 km, the other 100,000 km. They’re in Loir-et-Cher (41), near Blois. They were used for school transport before, so they were serviced every 6 months, but since they’re over 20 years old, they can’t be kept for that use anymore. They’re 12m long. At first, he was selling them for 4500 € each, but he can’t cover the parking costs, and he’s been trying to sell them for a while, so he lowered the price. Now they’re 3500 € each or 6000 € for both, and you can negotiate!

I think it might be worth considering.

That’s it for my first appearance here! Thanks everyone! See you later! 😉

I just got a big envelope from the motorhome federation...

I’m digging into all that, and I’ll keep everyone posted.--

On another note, I posted some updates on the blog (check the address at the bottom).

And you can tell it’s a mild autumn—everyone must be tinkering! Discussions have been a bit quieter lately compared to the past few weeks!

Unless some folks have already started hibernating...

Guess I’m gonna feel lonely now😕

PATRICK26

Hi aurel44,

I’ll try to answer your questions point by point, but once again, I’ll refer you to the post I made a few pages back.

It’s really tough to answer your questions without knowing more about you!

But we’ll give it a shot, and I’ll flesh things out as we go along.

Before answering your questions, you mention hesitating between a bus and a truck. To give a clear answer, I’d need more details about you, your life with this future vehicle, your family situation, etc...

The reason many people opt for buses is that it’s very difficult nowadays to create a connection between the cab and the cargo area of a truck. Plus, it’s even harder to have people travel in the truck’s cargo area. So, if you have more than one child (that’s three people—driver’s seat and a two-seater bench), you’ll need an extended cab, which reduces the space available for your living area. You’ll have to go outside to move from the cab to your living space. This living space will need access via a staircase less than 40 cm off the ground, which you’ll have to build.

Trucks are usually chosen by adventurers who want to go off-road with 4x4 or 6x6 chassis.

If it’s for living in, a bus offers more interior living space.

Depending on your budget, a bus will often be more affordable too...

That’s why I asked for profiles to be filled out more thoroughly! ;) It’s hard to give proper advice without knowing exactly what you need!

Now, for your questions:

In answer to: 1. Is it possible to convert a bus or truck however I want without the DRIRE giving me a hard time?

The DRIRE isn’t out to make anyone’s life difficult! They’re there to ensure that professionals who build or modify vehicles do so in line with the laws passed by our elected representatives in the National Assembly (laws we can’t challenge and must comply with). These checks guarantee that the vehicles on our roads aren’t dangerous for us or our kids. This principle is based on two republican foundations: the rule of law and democracy.

All you need to do is buy the AFNOR guide (references are in a previous post) and follow it.

When you build a house, you don’t just do whatever you want! Once it’s finished, the Consuel checks the electricity (for us, it’s Veritas), and if it’s a public building, the safety commission (for us, it’s the Mines) steps in. It’s the same thing!

And like an architect, you can do whatever you want... as long as you follow certain rules!

In answer to: 2. Does it depend on the vehicle registration (CC, van, etc.)?

No, absolutely not! The only rule a court will look at in case of an infraction or accident (once your vehicle is finished and on the road) is the *usage*! That means they’ll check if your vehicle’s registration matches how you’re using it. If you use a coach (with a coach registration) as a motorhome and have an accident in a tunnel, and the gas bottle you had in the storage compartment (gas is forbidden in coaches) explodes and kills three people, you’ll go straight to prison. :pirate:

But if your coach has been approved by the Mines and has a motorhome registration, it’s allowed to have gas. If the gas bottle explodes in the tunnel accident, it’ll be considered a simple consequence of the accident, and you won’t go to prison. :angel:

Any vehicle can be converted. If you want to start with a cement mixer, remove the system, add a box, convert it, etc... to end up with a motorhome, no problem—as long as you follow the rules.

The only goal is to have a registration that matches how you use the vehicle. Easy to remember to avoid trouble! ;)

In answer to: 3. Is the process the same for converting a bus and a truck with the DRIRE, or are they stricter about one or the other?

Well, I think I already answered that with the previous one! :crazy:

In answer to: 4. Are there specific standards for things like electricity, gas, etc.?

Yes, of course! For the interior layout, I’ll remind you of the AFNOR guide *"Guide to the Layout of Motor Caravans."* You can order it online. It’s less than 50 €—don’t say it’s expensive, especially when you’re tackling projects like ours!

Otherwise, on my blog (the address is at the bottom of this post), on the *"Normes"* page, you can find the regulations for electricity and additional rules.

The blog is still pretty new, so be kind! :)

In answer to: 5. Do insurance companies require anything specific?

Since it’s rare for an individual to insure a coach or truck (unless it’s a livestock carrier, but then you’re also insuring horses!), it’s very difficult for a private person to insure a heavy-duty vehicle that doesn’t have a motorhome registration. Those with VASP NSPC can confirm—it’s a real hassle for some!

There you go for the answers to your questions!

You can learn a lot by clicking on *"Pour les nouveaux"* at the bottom of Cunni’s posts. Read the posts (or at least skim them) starting from page 19, where you’ll find the regulations.

Several of your questions are answered in those pages... but every now and then, it’s good to give everyone a little refresher by answering them again.

About the PR14s, that’s good info. But I’m still surprised that so many of you with small budgets get stuck on PR14s or S53s when you can find Setra S215s (which, between us, have better mechanics, gearboxes, double glazing, just as much interior height, more horsepower, a cooler look, are longer than S53s, have decent fuel consumption, Webasto, etc...) for barely more money!

Proof that they’re good vehicles: Poles, Russians, Czechs, and others buy them based on photos without even visiting the transporters. But S53s and PR14s? They don’t want them. :/

Gasmobil’s avatar is one of them—transporters don’t even bother listing them online because buyers from Eastern Europe call directly to ask if they have any for sale!

They go for 4,000 to 5,500 € max for the nicest ones (1984–1989 models), road-ready with a valid *contrôle technique*.

Keep me posted on your projects...

PATRICK26

hey everyone thanks patrick26 for all this info, because when I see the time it takes me to write 10 lines... I’ll go check out the spot you mentioned and I’ll also pick up the AFNOR guide. Because honestly, looking at it this way, being up to code can be great! I’ll keep you posted, but for now, since I’m just starting to look for a vehicle, I don’t want to rush and buy the first one that comes along in a moment of madness. see ya

P.S.: a bit more about me I’m 28, no kids, and I’ll be staying in the area for a while (no more seasonal jobs or bouncing around). But living in a heavy-duty vehicle has always appealed to me—though 8 square meters doesn’t do it for me since I’ve already had other trucks as personal vehicles before, and now I want something bigger.

see ya

Hey Patrick and hey everyone. As you mentioned the other day—and it’s so true—it’s way better to start with a quick intro: I live in Aizenay, a small town in Vendée with a beautiful forest and the beach just 20 minutes away. If any of you are neighbors, don’t hesitate to say hi! After spending way too many hours copy-pasting on this site to soak up as much as I could, I finally took the plunge and bought an S53. Just waiting for it to pass the technical inspection and sign the papers, and then I’m off! After that, once it’s ready, I want to head to Africa to do humanitarian missions and see the smiles on kids’ faces when we bring them books and pencils... I already know a bit about this work because I converted a stretched Mercedes 308 about a year ago.

I had a quick question: the sales manager at the company where I’m buying my bus told me that to get it registered as a VASP (motorhome), I just need to do a fake conversion without gas and take up all the space. If I do that, what kind of VASP will I end up with? Not a motorhome, I assume? And after that, I can convert it however I want. But if the cops pull me over, could they give me a hard time? After reading the NF56200 standard three times, I feel ready to convert it directly into a proper motorhome, but it’ll take me more than 6 months. So, for the technical inspection, what’s the best way to handle it?

Thanks in advance. Drik-C

Really love your post, Patrick, but dying from gas or landmines—which is worse? 🤪🏴‍☠️

Anyway, your idea of turning a concrete mixer into a motorhome is awesome, especially at night to follow the moon’s rotation 😏

...and after, I’ll customize it however I want....

Most importantly, plan for a toilet.

But if the cops pull me over, can they give me a hard time??....So for the technical inspection, how can I handle that??.

Don’t forget the paperwork

Since everyone’s sharing their little second-hand bus finds from the internet, here’s the latest one I just came across...

Not sure if the price is negotiable. They’re asking 406,000 € for this one-of-a-kind 150m² living-space beast... maybe if you ask Santa...

http://www.derbus.de/

Happy browsing on the site... enough to dream!

PATRICK26

the price dropped, in August it was 464,000 €: http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=680134;#680134 😛 (it's the same one, same month, same year: 09/75: http://www.derbus.de/gutachten1.gif)

Exactly what I needed for two and a half 😉

Me in the front, and my wife and the dog in the back.

Thanks Patrick; I’m rushing to buy it 😛 😏 but I won’t tell my wife even if it’s out of cowardice.

HELLO EVERYONE 😉 SO, I'M LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT A PROJECT I HAVE IN MIND. I OWN A RENAULT MASTER CAB CHASSIS (LCV) AND I'M THINKING OF MOUNTING A CARAVAN ON THE CHASSIS. HAS ANYONE ALREADY DONE THIS KIND OF MOD? WHAT ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES MIGHT I FACE? DO I NEED TO GO THROUGH A COACHBUILDER, OR CAN I DO IT MYSELF? THANKS

Hey Christian and hey everyone

Thanks for your tips, but I found a better idea to keep the cops off my back—I eat at least 1 kg of chocolate a day. And now, I’m not bothered anymore :-))😛 and I can even drive without my papers😎 Otherwise, I think the concrete mixer camper idea is super original and really practical. No need for cabinet doors—just spin the mixer and everything puts itself away. For the bed, a hammock does the trick; they’re used to always staying aligned with the moon. The only downside is the toilet and shower!!🏴‍☠️ But hey, that’s probably why Veritas forces us to have drainage grates less than 10 cm from the ceiling. That way, it prevents annoying floods in a concrete mixer camper.

Hey there. It’s great to see there are people who’ve also fallen in love with Mercedes 1113 livestock trucks. That’s exactly what I bought 6 months ago—a beautiful 11.5-ton livestock truck with 6 little windows and wood paneling on the sides. Finally, a floor all the way up to the windows. Mine was from 1972—a lovely old lady, but she seriously needed a facelift. After making a list of all the work (and God knows there was a lot), I decided to sell her and go for the easy option: an S53. Even though I still miss her charm.

If I manage—since I’m not a tech whiz—I’ll try to send you some photos or post them on the site. Don’t hesitate to send me pics of yours, and I wish you good luck with your conversion! See ya!

Well, I didn’t manage—or rather, I haven’t found where to upload my photos on this site yet. So I put them in a photo just below my name, on the left side of the forum page. Otherwise, if you’re interested, I could send you the plans I made for this livestock truck conversion. They might give you some ideas—because I must’ve gone through nearly 20 drafts before finding one that worked!

Anyway, catch you later and have a great weekend, everyone!

Hey there, it's been a while since I last posted. Let's get to know each other: I'm Pierrick, 25, a truck driver and currently a temp garbage collector. I've been in a relationship for 3 years with Moune (her real name is Laetitia), 23, who's unemployed full-time 😉

We live in Mayenne—it's quiet and affordable, but she's originally from the Alps. We have 2 dogs and 2 cats that will all end up in the bus. The dogs are a Lab crossed with a Savoyard Shepherd and the other is an Argentine Dogo. Just so you know, they can't live together except outside. The two cats are strays, one of which is disabled because hunters used him for target practice during a hunt in the field next to our place. (I talk a lot about our pets because I think the love these little creatures can give is really important in life.)

We also have rabbits, but let's just say we only take them out (in the oven) for special occasions. 😛

We're converting a bus to live in year-round, traveling between the Alps and Mayenne or Brittany since those are our two home regions, and she loves those mountains as much as I love my countryside. My girlfriend doesn't have a car license, so she rides a scooter, and for now, I'll only ride a 125cc until she can drive a car for our trips. Otherwise, we'll see about paying someone we know to transport the van with our two wheels inside. Anyway, we love traveling, meeting people, and I personally advocate for a fairer world to put an end to the human stupidity that unfortunately seems to grow a little more every day. What else can I say except that we want to do things by the book—not just to stay legal, but also for our safety and that of others.

hey tome38 and everyone I found the solution!! with a van like drikc85’s you’ll have at least 2 meters more you’ll even be able to jump inside see ya jose

Hey everyone..!

I’m new to this forum, which I discovered a few days ago and have been reading from the start... I’m on page 53 and I’m thrilled by this goldmine of information.. (A huge thank you to all the forum regulars and everyone else.. Really, BRAVO!). I’m Guillaume, I’m 25 years old, and I live near Grenoble. I’m about to buy an S53 from ’82, 500K km, which was actually listed on this forum—it’s in Seine-et-Marne, about 550 km from my place. And I don’t know anyone with a D license to bring it back for me..😕 I found a guy online who does vehicle transport, but he’s charging 2 € per km. I hadn’t budgeted for that, so I’m willing to pay someone within my limit... (around 150-200 € for the day + all expenses, of course). It’s a bus that, according to the owner, is in great mechanical condition and runs like clockwork. I can go pick it up starting December 15th (roadworthiness test on the 14th). If anyone could help me out, that would be amazing, and I’d be extremely grateful..

Otherwise, for technical questions, I’ll wait until I’ve read the 17 pages I have left... I’d really love to meet you, Patrick and Seb (sorry, Junior—lol), since I’m not far... I could come by one day to chat about my project—it would be an honor for me.

See you soon, Guillaume (who’s panicking about not being able to bring his bus home)

😉Hi,

There’s a techno tribe called Desert Storm—they seem to have the same kind of bus. Inside, leather in yellow and black, same on the outside. I can’t find the link if anyone has photos—

It’s dreamy!!!

Welcome to Boniz38! Tell me, how do you buy a bus without seeing it in person? That’s something I don’t get. You can’t just trust the photos and the seller’s pitch, even if the ad appeared on the forum. What’s the price, if you don’t mind me asking?

Later, and welcome again!

I thought like you that Boniz had already bought the bus, but rereading it, I see he says:

I’m about to buy an 82 s53 So he hasn’t bought it yet.

What we see in the photos shows obvious rust, so there’s certainly interior framework to replace too, and it also looks like the rear storage compartment is missing a door!

So there’s a lot of work ahead 🤪