There are 2 distinct areas when you convert a bus or truck into a motorhome.
They are the actual vehicle and it’s mechanicals, and the actual motorhome fitout.
Too often we see battlers saving up to bus a retired from service bus, then spending and saving as they go fitting out their dream motor home. Then the pitfalls begin when they first try to register the vehicle. The money is gone, and the bills are rolling in.
The vehicle you buy will need to pass a roadworthyness inspection, regardless of which state you are in. To be registered as a motorhome it will also need to be certified by an engineer, and will require auxilliary certificates like gas inspections and even electrical inspections.
Remember, you have bought a vehicle that was retired from service. That means the bus company that owned it could no longer use it for public transportation as all the limits and inspections had expired.
Now when buses are due to retire in a few months time, the bus company is hardly likely to spend thousands of dollars on major repairs, if it is due to leave service soon. Therefore it could have significant wear in the mechanicals like worn brakes, suspension, steering, gearbox/clutch issues, and the motor is most likely tired with oil leaks. The tyres are usually old cases that have been retreaded several times and are unsuitable for high speed travel around the country-side. The windscreen could have cracks or chips requiring a $1000 replacement!
Check the vehicle thoroughly before you buy. Have a qualified heavy vehicle mechanic inspect it instead of Uncle Freddy who fixes lawnmower engines in his shed. Allow the cost of a set of new tyres (you can trade the old ones in), and allow for repairs like power steering leaks, king-pins, shackle bushes, air brake components, and other hidden repairs that will manifest themselves when your prized motorhome goes over the pits for the first time.
Don’t rush out and re-build the motor just in case! Remember, it’s only around 20,000 klms to go around Australia, and most diesel engines are good for 500,000 klms and can be good for up to 1 million kilometers! So if the engine was rebuilt 350,000 klms ago, then it probably doesn’t need it now.
Checking appliances in you bus like the fridge, stoves and oven, these units can be very expensive to replace. So knowing what works and what docent work will help you budget for appliance repairs this also includes lighting and the cooling system. RACV in Melbourne can provide these motor home checks along with auto car mechanics.
Tyres, Brakes, and Steering are the important ones to remember! If the tyres are down on tread, or are old re-treads (as most city buses run) then price a new set and factor it into the budget.