Motorhoming and associated interests

 

Hi and welcome to Al. & Mels Website

 

Hi .
My name is Alan commonly known to friends as Al.and my wife is Mel.
Back in 2003 due mainly to a bad run health wise, we decided after nearly 30 years (on and off) of towing caravans that we wanted a change but still needed something that we could travel in, so we decided that a Motorhome would be our new mode of travel.

We looked at lots of units but realized that most were either over priced or way out of our price range, so we decided to purchase a bus and build our own.We wanted something that was easy to manouver and would fit our budget.
We looked at a lot of vehicles and decided on a one owner 1989 SWB.Toyota Coaster 2.4 litre petrol /LPG. engine, that had spent the first 13 years of its life as a school bus in Goroke near Horsham in Victoria.
It was in very good condition considering it's age and the fact that it carried kids to school all it's working life. Although it had 380.000klm under it's wheels it had recently been fitted with a reconditioned motor, and had been kept under cover at night and had absolutely no rust anywhere
When we got it home we found all the original documents in the glovebox including the school route it did for the 13 years and a list of all the pupils it picked up every day.and also the original registration and dealer sales papers.

The first task was to remove all the seats and fill the bolt holes, which was a simple job as it has a wooden floor.
Next we shopped around for fittings etc.
And so the project started ,*and so did the late nights*.
This project is a basic set up and done to a budget, even so it is comfortable for 2 people to travel and live in either caravan parks or campsites.
We purchased the bus for $11.000. and then we got all the required fittings from various outlets such as Carac in Dandenong & Award RV accessories Ferntree Gully. also I got a 2nd hand Carefree awning from a very good friend Andrew Phillips who now operates *The RV repair Centre* in Bayswater.Vic.(Andrew is in the process of setting up a new website )so I will add it on when available.
Total cost of the project was $18.000. including fridge /stove/ sink/ 12/240volt tv/ water tank/ porta potti/rollout awning etc.etc. plus all timber for cupboards and bench tops *excluding labour*
This site shows some of the details of the project plus a few tips for the DIY builder including the fitting of a roof hatch and converting the incadesent *yuc* lights to LEDs .

My main aim with this site is to guide others with aspirations but little or few skills in building a motorhome from a bus, or even as some have done useing a truck body or have even started off with a cab chassis and built it from scratch.
There are many talented people amongs the members of the CMCA.(Campervan & Motorhome Club of Australia).The LINKS on this site will take you to some of them, such as Barry*Budget* Powell.- Lawrie Beales.- Ian *Cuppa* Lock.- and many more .
I will also be adding more sites in the near future.

I hope it is of some help to those who are a little apprehensive about starting their project.

All I can add is, You will be suprised what you can achieve with a bit of thought and a lot of sleepless nights.
I would appreciate feedback or ideas that others have implemented or are thinking about.

All I can add is *JUST DO IT*you will not be dissapointed.
Good luck.
Regards Al.
email melal1@optusnet.com.au