ok so was talking to he bride last night about buying a caravan and the topic of a motor home came up, now we are not in the position to buy the big flash one but i thought perhaps buy a bus and onvert it,, over time to a motor home, given that it'll be a few years yet before i can retire, so my question is has anyone done juts that, you know converted a bus to a motor home and if so what are some of the pit falls, should we try to get a bare bones one and start from scratch or one that is half or better complete, i know people buy them with all the good intention and then for some reason or other get rid of them i've seem plenty of them around , and it makes me wonder if it;s a good idea or not
elliemike said
10:10 AM Jul 12, 2011
Few sites around for motorhome conversions. All types of suitable vehicles. I was thinking of going that way a couple of years ago, but decided against it. Mainly because of lack of space at home. I joined the Self Build Motor Caravan Club (see email address below) to help with my research. Cost me about $40.00 and was very, very, usefull. This is a British Club. I was interested in how they heat and insulate their vehicles. Some great Self Builds and Pics. All sorts of Vehicles from VW's, Panel Vans, Army Trucks, to Scania Busses. Even a Rubbish Truck Conversion.
Although you dont have to join to peruse their site. I think you just cant "SEARCH" if you are not a paid up member.
I have read a few people saying they got their "Base vehicle" cheap cos it was partly converted. The previous owner finding the conversion too much for them, for various reasons.
Regards
Mike
Wombat 280 said
01:18 PM Jul 12, 2011
Big Job. thought about it myself and even with a sound DIY base I gave it a miss. Maybe a second hand MH and rebuild the power plant and service what's there to start with. There are bit you can't do like the gas plumbing or the 240 volt elect as they need to be certified to be on the safe side . Those old buses are thirsty beast even the Coasters. Think hard and long before you jump in
Cruising Granny said
11:29 PM Jul 12, 2011
If you want to do a lot of kms on your travels, it's a very expensive way to make miles (kms). Setting up from scratch after you've actually purchased the vehicle of you choice, is also a very expensive exercise, even if you do the work yourself. There are so many things to think about. Electrical, balance, weight, layout (floor plan), plumbing, what sort of bus. A large coach or smaller vehicle? Then you may need another vehicle for sightseeing. Big buses are very restrictive in van parks, and you can't get around in bush camps. Once again, just throwing thoughts around when planning these things.
milo said
01:27 AM Jul 13, 2011
Mike. id go with wombats advice , at least theyed be stuff already in there that you dont have to worry about , when you buy a second hand mh, you can always add your own personal touch to it.
also try looking at verious sites for inspiration http://sydneyrvcentre.com.au/
Peter_n_Margaret said
06:33 AM Jul 13, 2011
It will cost twice as much and take 4 times as long as your best estimate. That is the rules. A bus is quite difficult in that nothing is square and the windows and doors are all wrong. That said, many people do it. Some finish up with a better result than others.
Our OKA started off with a bus body. I took it off and built a new body from the chassis up. That probably cost more, but did not take any longer and we finished up with EXACTLY what we wanted, rather than a lot of compromises dictated by the existing body.
If you want to do a DIY, I suggest 2 things. 1. Buy ALL of Collyn Rivers books. Small bickies in the scheme of things and it is best to be educated about the systems before you start. 2. Join the CMCA and the CMCA forum. There are numerous past and current builders there who can offer practical advise, for FREE!
Cheers, Peter
Tuco said
11:08 AM Jul 13, 2011
Hi BB.
I went through the same as you back in 2005. We decided to buy a small bus and do the conversion ourselves. Ended up settling on a Hino RB145. We also looked at Coasters, Rosas and Civilians , but felt the Hino was a better proposition with its rear engine, flat floor and flat glass.
It has worked out great in the end - construction took about 12 months part time as we both work fulltime jobs.
Have a look at some of the construction photos here ...
I'm not a tradesman, but managed most of the conversion myself.
BobnBev said
05:18 PM Jul 13, 2011
BB, I have one sitting in the yard at home, its a 30fter all fitted out .It became to costly to run. Now used as a store shed.. Spent a lot of time fixing it up drove around the block and up to Cooktown over and under King ash bay a few times.down the middle twice. Just fitted a new injector pump ect ,Nice when you get where you are going plenty of room , took 18months + to fit out.... A van and 4by4 is the easier way to go.. and the cheepest to run.. well thats how I see it, but each to their own.... All I can say is do your home work .......
beachball57 said
06:20 PM Jul 13, 2011
yeh thanks guys and gals i think i sort of got over the idea of a bus and looks like we are going to opt for a c'van i was going to trade my hilux for something a bit bigger but now have decided to repower it instead with a bigger toyota motor a far cheaper option than buying another vehcile, i know what's wrong with mine and i know how hard i can push it before she says enough so it looks like that's the way we are going to go, but now we're not in a hurry so we'; just bid our time until we see something we like
Few sites around for motorhome conversions. All types of suitable vehicles. I was thinking of going that way a couple of years ago, but decided against it. Mainly because of lack of space at home. I joined the Self Build Motor Caravan Club (see email address below) to help with my research. Cost me about $40.00 and was very, very, usefull. This is a British Club. I was interested in how they heat and insulate their vehicles. Some great Self Builds and Pics. All sorts of Vehicles from VW's, Panel Vans, Army Trucks, to Scania Busses. Even a Rubbish Truck Conversion.
Although you dont have to join to peruse their site. I think you just cant "SEARCH" if you are not a paid up member.
http://sbmcc.co.uk/forum/
Do lots of research.
I have read a few people saying they got their "Base vehicle" cheap cos it was partly converted. The previous owner finding the conversion too much for them, for various reasons.
Regards
Mike
Setting up from scratch after you've actually purchased the vehicle of you choice, is also a very expensive exercise, even if you do the work yourself.
There are so many things to think about. Electrical, balance, weight, layout (floor plan), plumbing, what sort of bus.
A large coach or smaller vehicle? Then you may need another vehicle for sightseeing.
Big buses are very restrictive in van parks, and you can't get around in bush camps.
Once again, just throwing thoughts around when planning these things.
at least theyed be stuff already in there that you dont have to worry about , when you buy a second hand mh,
you can always add your own personal touch to it.
also try looking at verious sites for inspiration
http://sydneyrvcentre.com.au/
A bus is quite difficult in that nothing is square and the windows and doors are all wrong.
That said, many people do it. Some finish up with a better result than others.
Our OKA started off with a bus body. I took it off and built a new body from the chassis up. That probably cost more, but did not take any longer and we finished up with EXACTLY what we wanted, rather than a lot of compromises dictated by the existing body.
If you want to do a DIY, I suggest 2 things.
1. Buy ALL of Collyn Rivers books. Small bickies in the scheme of things and it is best to be educated about the systems before you start.
2. Join the CMCA and the CMCA forum. There are numerous past and current builders there who can offer practical advise, for FREE!
Cheers,
Peter
Hi BB.
I went through the same as you back in 2005. We decided to buy a small bus and do the conversion ourselves. Ended up settling on a Hino RB145. We also looked at Coasters, Rosas and Civilians , but felt the Hino was a better proposition with its rear engine, flat floor and flat glass.
It has worked out great in the end - construction took about 12 months part time as we both work fulltime jobs.
Have a look at some of the construction photos here ...
https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=c6b4ed6fe7d375fa&page=play&resid=C6B4ED6FE7D375FA!123
We took the MH on a 5 month trip around Australia - and used some of our long service leave - had a great time. The travel diary can be seen here ...
http://www.ozorios.com/2008page1.htm
I'm not a tradesman, but managed most of the conversion myself.
Spent a lot of time fixing it up drove around the block and up to Cooktown over and under King ash bay a few times.down the middle twice. Just fitted a new injector pump ect ,Nice when you get where you are going plenty of room , took 18months + to fit out.... A van and 4by4 is the easier way to go.. and the cheepest to run.. well thats how I see it, but each to their own....
All I can say is do your home work .......