Converting a heavy-duty bus/coach/truck into a motorhome (page 84 of 161)

😉Hi toto56,

So you’ve finally decided to join us!!!🙂

I don’t know if an FR1 would be a good bus for you—I mean, they’re buses with a central aisle. Unless you plan to redo the flooring to make it level everywhere. 🙂I’d love it if you could tell us a bit more so we can help you better—your situation is different from the others’ 🙂

Oh, and I almost forgot—welcome!😉

See you later,

😉what a gorgeous bus!!!

It’s true that it looks clean and well-maintained in the photos.

Well yeah, I saw them last Saturday, but the only snag is the price😛😛😛. I’m short on space—do I have a few extra cm? It has Webasto if anyone can tell me if the price they’re asking for this type of vehicle is fair or too high. Thanks

😉 Personally, I find it a bit pricey. I can't tell you more since I'm not familiar with this type of bus.

I’m reaching out to anyone who knows about this type of vehicle—could you let me know if the price is good? Thanks

You sure it's an UL? It sounds more like an HR, especially if you're saying you only have a few centimeters left... Inside an UL, you should have at least 2.10m of headroom, and what surprises me is that they usually have double swing doors at the back... Otherwise, in terms of price, negotiate and check out cracos, but they're a bit expensive compared to those you can find in Germany on TruckScout http://www.truckscout24.fr/search/fra/detail.asp?vehicletype_id=6&vehicle_id=8082124&make=46&mid=2&page=1&language=fra

From the info I got, it’s a really good bus. A Mercedes engine—bit thirsty but reliable. The price doesn’t surprise me for a bus from that year with that mileage. But you can find some in great condition for a lot cheaper. It’s a really common model around here. See ya, Jose

Well, the seller told me it's a model S 215 UL, I saw the coach on Truckscout24 and well, it's pretty much the same except for the rear door—it's not the same as in the Scout24 photo, which has double hinges!

A blackboard for anyone wanting to repatriate a vehicle—nothing like it to discourage even the most motivated people. Plus, quite a few mistakes about the motorcycle dealership that supposedly wouldn’t be allowed to insure with a fleet policy for vehicles other than motorcycles. Before writing that, you should think or at least do a little research.

The cherry on top: the trick with the poorly tightened screw, and how to tarnish a profession—what a gift! All in all, pretty mediocre...

I also wanted to revisit the topic of "Setra" buses, which are, it’s certain, excellent buses. If they’re so in demand by Eastern European countries at the end of their life, it’s surely because parts are very common there and they’re partly manufactured there too, including 250 HP, 320 HP engines, etc...

The FR1 isn’t that fragile either, and parts are common and very accessible.

Sure, it has less torque than the Setra with its 11,967 liters of displacement, but it still has 340 HP for the FR1 TX model and 305 HP for the earlier ones, like the FR1 T3. Not bad for RVI engines, right!

Okay, I'm off to bed now—maybe I'll dream of my camper one day. Good night, everyone! jose6440, DM me when I can call you tomorrow.

An awesome rig!

It’s definitely an overland vehicle (the same one I went to see with Gasmobil).

What stands out to me: its two single-leaf swing-out doors! A rare option on an overlander...

Flat floor, plenty of headroom for a tall guy like you (watch out for the big wheel wells and the large inspection hatches in the floor for your build), fully pneumatic locks for the storage compartments and accessories (easy maintenance—just hoses and air!). Depending on the model, there’s double glazing, etc.

Mechanically, you’ve got a naturally aspirated V8, a turbo V8, or a turbo V6. The most reliable is the naturally aspirated V8.

For the transmission, you might have an 8-speed, a 6-speed, or even a 7-speed (pretty rare). All are very solid. Pay attention to the gearbox-axle ratios. These vehicles were sold in all sorts of configurations (flatland, semi-flatland, mountain, etc.). A gearbox-axle setup for high mountains with a ZF 6-70 gearbox, for example, will consume more than one with a ZF 6-90.

Give more details if you want a more precise opinion, or since you’re not too far away, why not go check it out together? Where’s your bus located?

PATRICK26

it’s in Vienne (38): http://www.autocarservices.fr/details.php?vehicule=69 😏

Hey everyone

Yeah, that’s the one—good catch, Cunni! But it’s still 15,000 € before tax😛😛😛. That’s a pretty big sum😛😛😛. I can swing it, but then I’m stuck on the interior build-out😐

SETRA buses are good vehicles, whether they have a Mercedes or MAN engine (the latter being rarer). With age, they often develop an imbalance in the front brakes, which isn’t too serious but can cost up to 2500 € for a drum brake shoe replacement and adjustment. I’d strongly advise against doing this yourself... As for the price of this vehicle, I think it’s reasonable given its age and mileage. Christobale

(Mercedes 6-cylinder turbo engine, 6-speed gearbox plus one crawler so 7 speeds, single glazing, ) Little question: I don’t have the TC license🙁, only the PL license. How can I first reclassify it from TC to PL so I can take it and drive it wherever I want😎 with my PL license? And second, once I’ve done all the interior conversions, can I register it as a VAST MOTORHOME😏

The problem with tome38's choice is its size! So they’ll have to forget about FR1s or other models with lower ceilings...

This one would suit them because of the interior height.

For the budget, I think it can be negotiated on several points:

15,000 € is the listed price before tax, and for me, when I go to negotiate a purchase, I set my mind on getting it for that price—but all taxes included! Usually, I manage it... (that still represents 20% of the price, after all). Plus, it lets you test the seller, and sometimes you get pleasant surprises and can really dive into the negotiation—more savings!

The second negotiation point is the interior. A dealer always needs a clean interior to put in a camper. tome38 doesn’t need theirs, and that’s always 2,000 € or 3,000 € less to negotiate.

The third point is that tome38 is a private buyer. And unlike a business, a private buyer can pay part of it... uh, you get the idea...

I think if the seller isn’t clueless and the discussion goes well, it might be a vehicle you can take home for 12,000 € or 13,000 € all taxes included.

We’ll see if that fits tome38’s budget...

You're right about the mechanics—I was a bit harsh. Let’s just say I know the topic too well, and sometimes my younger self takes over.

As for fleet insurance, I know what I’m talking about because I have fleet insurance (cars/motorcycles/scooters/agricultural vehicles), but I’m forced to insure my coach elsewhere, and the same goes for my construction equipment.

well, there are already 2 people on it 😲

True, 15,000 € including tax is a really good deal, but to get there the vehicle has to have been off the road for a while and the seller has to be desperate to sell... Tom’s gonna need some strong arguments to pull that off...

That's what the seller says to activate things, but it might be true since the reform is still far off... Still, be cautious... At that price, does it come with oil changes and up-to-date inspections?