Thread: Who knows about coaches?

Are you going to convert a coach to a motorhome?
Gosh, it is a big and expensive project! I remember my Mazda T3500 project, was nice and cheap to run but I would never go that way again!

Must admit I have never measured any of the things you are after Ian.

This looks like the guy you need to speak to... I went onto Google images to see what coaches you were referring to, and a few images down led me to this guy. This link might help.

Chris Wright Motorhomes & Solar - Austral Tourmaster & Denning Landseer

from memory (long time ago in a previous life)
1. 190ish cm
2. seat base no idea. would be about 20ish cm between the floor under seat and aisle
3. lowering the entire floor would require the chassis to be completely remodeled, so no. lowering just the aisle may be possible- too long ago to remember exactly whats there.
4. no clue, but they are solid.

Out of the 2, Austral is much nicer to drive, they have better cockpit layout (seat/pedals/wheel) with more adjustment, they handle better and ride better but they all suffered from rust in the frame - some unbelievably bad. The Landseers were in very good condition when the skin was removed, they are pretty much bullet proof.

I always thought the pick for a "camper" conversion was the Apollo high decker built for SunLiner on a Scania in the mid-late 80s (SunLiner went broke not long after Expo would have been early 89). But the running gear in the Denning/Austral will outlast the Scania especially the gearbox (you will have synchro and duel range shift problems) as apposed to single 6 or 7 speed Fuller or Spicer.

The 2 stroke 6v92 knows how to drink.

It's always been an ambition Chucky. I think using a coach with a 350ish hp L 10, M 11 or 6V92, OD box turning a 3.7 diff would give better economy than a mini bus, ex school bus or Land Rover towing a big van. I could tow the Disco and bike, and if I ever get an ultra light, that too. In this instance I think the cart should go before the horse.
I would have almost 12 metres of living area, needed for comfortable, extended touring.
I'd like to go and look at all the places I've only ever raced through in the dark.

G'day Ian,
I've walked through many units in search for ours. We ended up with an "old" Bedford. But it has a flat floor, and is "just" 6'.

What we found was that having a flat floor is best. We've had people tell us to just put everything on the sides, ei; benches, lounges, cupboards etc. Over hanging cupboards you tend to hit your head on.
For us, this doesn't work. It makes it feel like your in a bus,,, full stop. With our old girl, I'm still debating as to whether I'll finish refitting her, or just get something different altogether.
As for floor capacity with weight, they can take a fair bit. Ours had a full size fridge etc, which was loaded up with food and drinks. If you were unsure about this, you could always add new or and extra layer of marine ply to help.

If buying a second hand unit, just check its fully sanctioned to do what you ant with it. Bus companies dispose of units because its too expensive to redo the window frames etc. But I'm unclear on what exactly they need to do to them. This would require checking with the authorities in your state.

I cant recommend anything specific, brand wise, although as you have pointed out, there are options of either raising the roof, or perhaps lowering the floor. I couldn't tell you which is easier/harder, but I'll be looking for a flat floor with a decent roof height when I get a new one in about 3-4 years.

Originally Posted by Bearman

Must admit I have never measured any of the things you are after Ian.

Brian, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is.............

Your other option is to buy a truck and build exactly what you want where you want on the rear of it.... Here's what I had the pleasure of driving around Africa for a while! Miss my Mercs!