I bought a coach!

[Dr Who]

Just bought myself a nice little project to convert to a motorhome.

2002 Scania Vanhool T9 K114EB (independent front suspension)

Solid underneath and blows not a puff of smoke, starts first crank from stone cold after being stored for 12 months, 350k KM's and she is a peach.

Air Con and Cruise control (working) ZF Auto, 380hp DC11 engine which should do about 8mpg

 

[Dr Who]

Need to switch that driver seat to a big comfy captain's chair

Guess you have never driven in an Air-ride seat?

How Much, 5000+vat and she is amazing condition for her year. Scania Mechanicals and one of the best bodies in the business. (Paid an extra 1k on top for new batteries, a full tank of fuel and delivery to me in Somerset)

Budget is MAX £40k for the conversion. She should be getting 3kw of Solar and 20kwh of LiFePO4 storage along with an 8.5KVA Diesel Generator

Airconditioning with proper minisplit for heating as well when the engine is not running (when the onboard A/C will cover the whole bus) and probably a small woodburner

400ltr waste and water tanks (No blackwater as going with a composting toilet)

She will be a full live aboard and off grid capable for extended periods, Spray Foam insulation and ceramic cloth. All Windows are recent new double glazed units with none having any condensation in them. Full internet with onboard 5g router.

Victron electricals and PROPER plumbing and shower. A crappy shower is a deal breaker for me

Won't be repainted as the paint is recent but the vinyls will come off and be replaced with a more appropriate graphic. Will probably upgrade the lights to modern Bus LED units and have a decent sized lightbar so I can fake being a real Scania driver

The Specific Use case is boondocking around Europe so I was looking at both RHD and LHD buses.

She is an absolute pleasure to drive with the lovely compliant independent front suspension

Videos of the DC11 at idle and fast idle (3bar and 6bar oil pressure respectively)

https://youtu.be/H4Qyddg6jJQ

https://youtu.be/HUUDVkbDyEU

I shall keep everyone informed and will likely do a vlog on youtube

Largest project previously was building a ZX12r powered 7 replica in 2 weeks, I anticipate this will take somewhat longer

 

[Dr Who]

here's some inspiration for the conversion

Do you have any mock ups of what your going to do it?

That's a truck conversion (COE) mine has the engine at the back

No Mock ups other than a full wiring diagram, I will do a proper design one once it is stripped out and I can calculate the available space.

 

[Dr Who]

Spoiler

Hmmmm, would make a great home cinema

 

[Dr Who]

Or a corner sofa.

No seriously, it has an Air Ride seat, you don't so much sit as "float" while you drive

 

[Dr Who]

The low idle fast idle videos are both fast idle videos sir.

Awesome plan though, god.

https://youtu.be/HUUDVkbDyEU


Fixed

 

[Dr Who]

I love this! I would love something like this! Please do a YT build or a build here I really want to follow the journey!

Youtube for sure, My channel was originally created for this build but ended up doing gaming videos

 

[Dr Who]

I've already said how great this is

I think one issue though is that it won't be very easy to drive in towns (it also won't be EURO4/5/6/whatever compliant) and caravan parks might not accept it overnight either. But it will be interesting to watch. Last year I watched a few vanlife youtube channels. There is one guy who has converted an old ambulance which seems the perfect size to me.

Not too worried about Caravan Parks, always a lay-by you can use (the joy of it being a vehicle that should take rest breaks). Vanlife is fine until you live it, then you are forever living in compromise, I don't want to compromise and after driving Buses around Bath for 4 years, I am used to dealing with very tight spaces (I also have a truck satnav that will stop me going anywhere that will give me a problem).

You going to get a small convertible car slung underneath in the luggage space, like that ludicrous one that was on Top Gear a few years back?

Here's the type of thing:
https://www.awesomeinventions.com/luxury-motorhome-with-a-built-in-garage/

I will have a motorcycle onboard or tow a Smart Car (yes it has a towbar). Underneath isn't an option without significantly rebuilding the structure as the space frame underneath is part of the body structure.

 

[Dr Who]

I haven't sat on a air ride seat, I imagine its pretty comfortable, but doesn't look very supportive, Maybe...There's air ride armchairs?

It is surprising but because they are designed to be driven for extended periods the seats are actually very supportive and have an incredible amount of adjustments. Driving my E220 for 4 hours is way more tiring than driving a bus/coach for 4 hours. My longest stint on a bus is over 6 hours (emergency situation so was over my usual driving hours) and I was fine after, barely knew I had been driving, 4 hours to Suffolk on Monday in my 2013 facelift E220 and I was stiff as...

 

[Dr Who]

Agreed, I find more than a few hours in any car leaves me uncomfortable yet I regularly do a full 4.5 hour stint and get out feeling fresh and able to get up on the trailer without feeling my 50 years...


I get annoyed whenever somebody else drives my Scania they always **** about with the seat settings, I have my seat set so it doesn’t bounce me about, it barely moves whilst still being on an air cushion, a lot of drivers don’t seem to realise if your bouncing along the seats not adjusted right - and it takes ages to get just so hence the annoyance.

Great choice of driveline, a very sturdy motor, it’ll run forever so long as you keep on top of routine maintenance and don’t work it until it’s warmed up properly.

it’s done less KM’s at 18 yr old than my 3yr old DC13 (which is pretty much the same basic engine design) with it being auto, I’m surprised it’s not an “opticruise” ‘box, then again, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s got things like for example a Volvo axle, Mercedes steering rack etc, I’m told that coaches can be a bit of a mash up, how true that is I have no idea!

I’ll follow this with interest.

You should smash 8mpg, I don’t get that low even @44ton, I’d be surprised if yours wasn’t getting nearer 10 tbh.

Always fancied driving a coach although having a load that talks back to me just doesn’t appeal.

Yeah bouncy is bad, I prefer just a bit of give to absorb any bumps which are minimal with the glorious suspension on this Scania K114EB Chassis, it truly is amazing. Some Buses are a mashup as they are not all built from an existing chassis although ZF parts are prevalent for Hubs, steering etc. I think the opticruise is newer, but I am very happy with a ZF box, they are lovely to use and can select individual gears when you need to. Very happy with the DC11, especially as it is the 380hp version and when I visited it had flat batteries so had not been started so to see it start off the jumper pack within 2 seconds of cranking with no nasty emissions was very encouraging. I am not gonna warrant that mileage, it may be significantly higher, who knows the tacho history although I will ask the seller. Mileage doesn't concern me if the maintenance has been good, that is way more critical in the commercial vehicle market. The ABS light is on which is common on these after they have been standing, but to be honest, with the price I paid I can completely overhaul the braking system anyway

 

[Dr Who]

Will you be using this thread as a build log, along side your YouTube channel?

I shall probably do both, yes!

 

[Dr Who]

Needs a FakeCoach sticker once complete

I guess I am gonna regret it if I search that....

 

[Dr Who]

I'm going to watch this thread, funny how recently I get caravan conversion videos recommended to me than I go on the forums and see this pop up.

Edit


I searched it and been presented with loads of handbags, I'm confused and disappointed...

I was expecting a Fake Taxi like result, guess it doesn't exist yet

 

[Dr Who]

That's how pilots feel, damn self loading freight

And self unloading

Thought I would give you an overview of where I stand Budget wise

Bus Build option 2
Coach £7,000
Inverters £1,865 5kva https://www.cclcomponents.com/victron-phoenix-inverter-24v-5000va-230v-ve-bus
Generator £1,299 6.5kva Ebay Hyundai
Solar £1,146 2.85kw
Gas It £371
Cyrix Li £160 https://www.cclcomponents.com/victron-cyrix-li-ct-12-24v-230a-intelligent-li-ion-battery-combiner
Batteries x4 £3,600 20kw https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...rlist.normal_offer.d_title.3a684c67w0HrPR&s=p
24-12v DCDC £138 Victron Orion 24-12-70
Kitchen Units £1,000
Wiring £1,000 https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MF2dot5slash3.html http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/section.php/115/1/connector-blocks
Wood £1,000 http://www.builderdepot.co.uk/timber-sheet-materials/sheet-materials/wbp-plywood.html http://www.builderdepot.co.uk/timber-sheet-materials/finished-softwood.html
Fridge £200 https://ao.com/product/mc50165b-fridgemaster-fridge-freezer-black-54258-28.aspx
Hob £140 https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/pcn641ixh/hotpoint-pcn641ixh-4-burner-gas-hob
Oven £300 https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/ovg505/3x/candy-ovg5053x-plan-built-in-electric-oven
Beds £800 Emma Super King
Tools £4,000 Welder/Table Saw/Chop Saw/Brad Gun/Compressor/Air Tools/Extra Hand Tools
Plumbing £1,000 Pex and Copper
Insulation £1,400 Spray Foam
Water tanks £540 https://www.tankservices.co.uk/water-tanks/wydale/wydale-500-litre-upright-tank/
Air Conditioner £349
Heating and hot water £562 https://www.screwfix.com/p/ariston-e-combi-one-30kw-combi-boiler/459cf
Water Pump £234 https://www.tankservices.co.uk/wate...tex-jx80-22-water-booster-pressure-pump-240v/
Cameras £100
Combiner/Fuse box £350
Composting toilet £780 https://compoosttoilets.com/collect...-toilet-with-urine-diverter-12v-self-stirring
Washer Dryer Beko £360
Henry Roof Seal £280 Ebay
Sink £200
Solar Extras £1,070 Victron MPPT, Isolator, Fuses, Bus bars, Protectors
Aquaboard £320 https://www.interiorpanelsystems.co.uk/aquabord-pvc-shower-kit-light-grey-marble.html
Shower £200 Aica Quadrant Shower Enclosure and thermo mixer
Basin & Unit £75 Ebay plumbworld

£31,839


The heating and hot water may change to diesel power and the gas is likely to be a smaller system as a result, I may even go full electric on the cooking as a 20KWh battery system should cope with Induction cooking without a problem. The budgets for Timber/Electrics/Plumbing and Kitchen are placeholder values that I expect to come down and I have about £18k reserve for anything that comes up along the way, although as much of that I can save the better.

 

[Dr Who]

It looks bigger inside than out.

It is deceiving, but it is 40 feet long

 

[Dr Who]

Are you planning on doing a job in Italy?

"self preservation society"

 

[Dr Who]

Shame its not a Bedford twin-steer.

Think I would rather a full home theatre, memory foam superking bed blah blah than 3 classic minis

 

[Dr Who]

Are you not going to have room for any cars at all?

If not, then may I ask, what are you intending to do with this coach once it is finished? The expense is significant so I'd imagine you have plans.

The reason I ask is that we spend as much time as possible touring and on road trips and at the places we like to go (Mountains, etc) we invariably encounter a lot of camper vans. Even the small van based ones end up being quite a nuisance and finding it quite difficult to access the more interesting places you may want to go - medieval cities, mountain passes, that sort of thing. So we often end up trying to work out why people bother with a camper van rather than a caravan they can detach and use the car for exploring with or, better still, a hire car and hotels - of which you can buy a heck of a lot for £60k!

So what are your plans? I'd have thought this thing only makes sense if it can accommodate a small car, so you can use it for travelling distances on major trunk roads and then use the car for exploring the good bits of wherever it is you go.

I will have a motorcycle onboard or tow a Smart Car (yes it has a towbar). Underneath isn't an option without significantly rebuilding the structure as the space frame underneath is part of the body structure.

This isn't to camp in, this will be liveable. When I give up work I want to live on the road, a camper van or RV just doesn't cut it and I have spent a good chunk of my life travelling and living in Hotels and they are greatly overrated, can't even have my cat with me

 

[Dr Who]

As a previous camper van owner I look forward to seeing how you will park it up on a camping site ( if you can find one to let you in) and then decide you need to go shopping to Morrisons 10 miles away

Well I guess that's more fun than actually reading the thread and the post right above...

 

[Dr Who]

have you actually been reading?

The posts literally above yours are talking about how it will have another vehicle stored aboard or towed behind it lol.

I know right