Insurance arranged as a Mercedes motorhome, £332.67 fully comprehensive with UK and European breakdown cover, both of us driving.

Peter

 

Pretty much sorted then, which I would have know if the notification emails were coming through Grr
Nice Peter, See you on SBMCC then

 

Went over and collected it today, 92k miles on the tacho but it wasn't showing any speed, don't know if it needs a disc ot not.

It's a bit 'agricultural', but the engine has plenty of grunt and the transmission didn't make any nasty noises.

1800rpm and that's it, the governor cuts in, which is about 65mph. Interior medium to good, we've got 18 seats to take out, and the unladen weight of 4260kg reflects the wheelchair lift I think, which isn't there any more, hoping to get down to 3600/3700kg.

Engine was clean an no obvious oil leaks, temperature gauge stayed steady on the trip back.

Pretty happy with it for what we paid.

Peter

 

Went over and collectedit today, 92k miles on the tacho but it wasn't showing any speed, don't know if it needs a disc ot not.

It's a bit 'agricultural', but the engine has plenty of grunt and the transmission didn't make any nasty noises.

1800rpm and that's it, the governor cuts in, which is about 65mph. Interior medium to good, we've got 18 seats to take out, and the unladen weight of 4260kg reflects the wheelchair lift I think, which isn't there any more, hoping to get down to 3600/3700kg.

Engine was clean an no obvious oil leaks, temperature gauge stayed steady on the trip back.

Pretty happy with it for what we paid.

Peter

Peter

I am a bit surprised that you are only revving at 1800rpm at 65mph. Our Fiat Jtd 2.8 is 2100rpm at 62 mph(indicated, but 59mph on satnav) anf ours has a high-ratio 5th gear. I would have thought for a minbus the ratio would have been a bit lower, as I believe ratios are fitted according to the likely market for the base vehicle.

Presumably, since you are not operating commercially, if you wish you could disconnect the speed-limiter, but maybe not necessary if you are towing.

For some reason your project has grabbed my attention, but please let me know if I am getting too much into your 'space' :roll:

Geoff

 

Feel free, Geoff, always interested in other viewpoints.

I'm going to start posting the work on Ross' forum in the self-build section, he hasn't had a lot from me this summer and deserves a bit more support:

http://www.motorhomeowners.com/post/new-project-7049395?trail=25#10

Kev would like me back on SBMCC but I'd not go back there having walked away once already.

Peter

Edit: There is an engine brake on it as well, but seems to work at over 2000rpm, so only good if you're down the gears and down a hill

 

Peter - please be so kind as to keep a running update here too!!!

Some of us are not on that other place (me!) and I really would like to follow this......

Cheers
Carl

 

Yes, please keep us updated Peter. Wishing you well with your project.

 

Only so you have access to the knowledge Peter, there are few of those vans on there now it seems, all with the 24/12v thing going on.

I keep going onto Rosses site, I was on for about 2 hours yesterday, made a few replies, looked at recent posts and there was only me on, MHF is still the fave site it seems.

 

Why not just join the site Rowley, it's free

 

I don't want to post the same thing on many sites, as most of us are on one or both anyway, and as MHF gets the bulk of my posts, I feel that Ross should have some as well.

I'll post selected bits and bobs of interest if that will help, but the daily stuff will be on Ross' forum.

Peter

 

We've been getting lots of things sorted out, especially the layout.

We don't have a huge amount of space, 180" long by 74" wide and about 5ft 10" ceiling height.

We have been through a few layouts, but we are looking at this one, top part of the drawing is a representation of the windows:

Passenger seating is important for long journeys, the sort we are looking at has a seat back that completely folds down over the seat squab and can be used as a table, but most importantly it has integral seat belts and is easy to mount on a flat floor with tracks that let you slide it backwards and forwards should you wish.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151388748403

Putting the bed over an extended engine bay, which was then subdivided to give us a big storage box for almost anything, gave us a lot more options in floor room.

The single pole table is an option, we mostly sit with our plates in our laps when eating away, or even sit outside if it is nice.

The kitchen unit will be extended length, but that may work out OK with just a drop-down flap or something.

The bathroom is our extended size version, about 4" wider and 6" longer than the standard caravan type. Cassette toilet, probably the best option. We will probably think about bringing the cassette door inside rather than outside, it depends on the panel and any joins in the area on the bodywork panels.

Got to find a home for the water heater yet, plus the water inlet point. The cassette toilet is inside the bathroom, not separate.

LPG tank will go underneath, probably a decent sized one, 80 or 100 litres.

Peter

 

Peter

Just a thought. By re-registering your vehicle as a motorcaravan you might be changing it from an M3 class vehicle to an M1. I think there may be more stringent requirements for the seating and the type of seating you are describing may not be suitable.

I wouldn't be surprised if you had already checked this out but my comments are based on a conversation with a VOSA person when I was thinking about a similar project. I would rather be accused of being overcautious than seeing the issue come up later down the road.

Edit: should say M2 to M1

 

Looking at the detail, M-classes are for passenger carrying vehicles, while motor caravans are classed as 'Special Types':

" A vehicle of category M, N or O for conveying passengers or goods and for performing a special function for which special body arrangements and/or equipment are necessary."

A motor caravan is Class SA as far as I can see.

I'd be happy to be proven wrong here, but this type of conversion has been carried out many times over the years without any issues.

Thanks for the input!

Peter

 

Peter

Just a couple of questions

I presume by 'extended engine bay' you mean the bed extends over the engine bay, i.e. to align with front bumper?

What is the trapezium-shaped area to the rear of the luggage area?

Do you want to have access to the 'Luggage area from both inside and the rear doors?

I assume the only passenger doors will be the existing front two?

Where will the rear passenger seat belts be anchored - is it legal for them to be anchored to the rails? If so, I assume the rails have to be through-bolted to something solid.

Geoff

 

Geoff:

The front of the vehicle is to the left, the bed is up over the engine and storage bays at the back. We estimate just under 3ft off the floor, so still a reasonable amount of room above.

The top half is the windows layout, the back windows kick up to give that funny shape.

The passenger seat has integral seatbelts, see the ebay link to get an idea of how it works. It's VW so should be Kosher.

There is one passenger entry door, it's 3ft wide, plus the driver's hinged door and two at the back opening full-width.

The driver's seat isn't drawn in, it is to the left of the luggage space.

Peter

 

Ah rear engined, that makes a bit more sense of the drawings.

 

Geoff:

The front of the vehicle is to the left, the bed is up over the engine and storage bays at the back. We estimate just under 3ft off the floor, so still a reasonable amount of room above.

The top half is the windows layout, the back windows kick up to give that funny shape.

The passenger seat has integral seatbelts, see the ebay link to get an idea of how it works. It's VW so should be Kosher.

There is one passenger entry door, it's 3ft wide, plus the driver's hinged door and two at the back opening full-width.

The driver's seat isn't drawn in, it is to the left of the luggage space.

Peter

Peter

Maybe I am confused about which vehicle you bought.

Geoff

 

Mercedes 614D FRONT engined.

The engine bay is where the show engine goes, not the vehicle engine, sorry if I confused you!

Not the big Ruston & Hornsby but a new one we bought which is 5hp against 11hp for the big one.

Peter

 

Looking at the detail, M-classes are for passenger carrying vehicles, while motor caravans are classed as 'Special Types':

" A vehicle of category M, N or O for conveying passengers or goods and for performing a special function for which special body arrangements and/or equipment are necessary."

A motor caravan is Class SA as far as I can see.

I'd be happy to be proven wrong here, but this type of conversion has been carried out many times over the years without any issues.

Thanks for the input!

Peter

Hi Peter
The document that the SA definition refers to defines a motorhome as:
'"Motor caravan": A special purpose M1 category vehicle constructed to include accommodation space which contains at least the following equipment:
(a) Seats and table;
(b) Sleeping accommodation which may be converted from the seats;
(c) Cooking facilities; and
(d) Storage facilities.
This equipment shall be rigidly fixed to the living compartment; however, the table may be designed to be easily removable.'

That is how I arrive at the M1 category seating. For what it's worth

 

Yep, that's what I have too.

Also in the DfT Document "Converting a vehicle into a motorhome".

Peter

 

I tell you what Peter, I'm glad we've done this before, I'd forgotten what a minefield this DVLA rubbish is, not sure how much hassle you had with the trailer.

 

I tell you what Peter, I'm glad we've done this before, I'd forgotten what a minefield this DVLA rubbish is, not sure how much hassle you had with the trailer.

Didn't get involved with them at all, in 2011 you could build anything you liked, no IVA no inspections, nothing.

Peter

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151388748403

That seat looks (to me at least) to be one out of a Mazda Bongo and if it is the belts are NOT integral the inertia rollers are part of the vehicle body.

Also if it is a Bongo seat £150 is waaaaay too much.

I hope you haven't bought before you can check out it is kosher.

 

I hadn't looked at Bongo seats at all, but what is being offered certainly looks the same doesn't it?

That particular ebay listing states that the belts are integral with the seat, but there are no pictures to corroborate that.

Plenty of others, thanks for the warning!

Peter

 

Latest layout drawing and a few shots of the front interior:

Peter