Family of 8. Coach self build advice.

[Mrsm90]

Hi all, new here, hopefully I’m ok to post this.
We are looking to buy a coach in order to go travelling with our children, a family our size this seems to be the suitable option.

This has always been something we would like to do, however I need to see if there are any major cons to this idea, things we haven’t thought about.
Any recommendations for insurance?

Potentially buying one on Friday and I’m feeling excited but hesitant. We have a storage facility while we do the conversion.

So yeah, any advice welcome.

 

[Squiffy]

Hi, welcome to the site, just a couple of things as regards coaches for me anyway is probably the obvious but not necessarily obvious to all, you would require the license to drive a coach of more than 3.5 tons this ofcourse depends on the meaning of a coach as a coach could be anywhere from 3.5 upto 18tons, most folk are only licensed to drive a vehicle upto 7.5tons. Also if you have a large coach there comes a slight but not insurmountable problem of finding an MoT station that can handle a vehicle of that size, then there is the driving a vehicle that size to various holiday destinations which could restrict the prettier destinations, plus somewhereto park it when its not on tour. Having said that it does give a great deal of space and build options making it a real home from home environment, but ofcourse the negatives are extra cost and build time. Plenty of folk do build some really great Motorhomes out of coaches, I would love to build one but for the things I've mentioned. Phil

 

[Mrsm90]

Hi there, thank you so much for your reply.

Yes, my other half would need to add to his licence in order to drive it. Think that comes in around 2k
I will have to have a look into the MOT thing and see what can be done locally.
I’m really hoping we can find some places to stay to make this worth while.

I can’t think of any other option which would give us the space needed to be on the road as much as we plan.

Thanks again

 

[SquirrellCook]

I have one one for sale.

 

[trevskoda]

You are best looking for an ex library bus, they do a good 27ft one which many convert.

 

[Millie Master]

A family of 8, yeee gods and yes you will need to have a coach.

For that little lot you will not only need acres of living day space but also a very considerable amount of water storage, both fresh and grey that would be best accommodated in tanks under floor, for those, arguably the best place to buy those unique tanks from is Shaun Barratt at http://www.tank.me/

You will also need to have possibly 2 toilets and in so saying, it might be best considering fitting a composting system (that I know nothing about but others on here do).

Your electrical installation will be interesting as no doubt your family will have a healthy need to have access to the internet...

What I am suggesting is that the most difficult and the most important aspect of every single conversion is the planning process, the more you plan, the more times you tear up your original plan and start the process all over again, then generally speaking, the less mistakes you will end up making. It is every single aspect of your build, how are you going to insulate the bus, how will you heat it, how will you ventilate it, how will you power it all etc. etc.

Your building journey will no doubt be a lengthy one which at times will feel as though it is never ending and utterly frustrating, but if you succeed, very hopefully in the end, when it is all finished you will be able to sit back and think to yourself, bloody hell we did all this!!

 

[Duckato]

Crikey, 8 people in a battle bus!
How many pets to add to the mix? Either way that is a lot of muddy boots and wet coats to anticipate so consider some form of segregation, we enter the van via the cab when it’s really wet and the dogs stay in there till less soggy!

A coach is going to have some serious miles on it and may well drink diesel.
Whatever you buy it may well be worthwhile doing everything mechanical on it first despite the temptation to start building.

Excess glass may be your worst enemy, greenhouse in the summer and a condensation magnet in the winter especially with so many people breathing in and out, secondary glazing could be very beneficial.

A large vehicle will inevitably take longer to build especially if done properly allow yourself a couple of years if you intend to do a comprehensive job.

As the ever increasing emission zones spread across the country you will have to be constantly vigilant to avoid accidentally entering them.

Good luck.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Just got home so only just seen this thread

I'd not touch a bus for loads of reasons.

I would seek out a refrigerated 22 or 30 foot 7.5 or 10t truck and build on that, the simplicity of a square body is well worth the extra you might pay, you can just buy the furniture etc.

A double bed and two three tier bunks and you're done.


I did do a drawing (badly) of my idea for one but we decided we didn't need that much space..

 

[Millie Master]

I did do a drawing (badly) of my idea for one but we decided we didn't need that much space..

I love the bog drawing on your drawing!!

And likewise, I don't heve much regard for a member who asks an OP question and from then on never responds!!

Phil

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I had to get the dimension right diddle eye.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I figured I'd use those HD full extension drawer sliders to cover the steps, and I considered getting a truck with a full width eight foot high ally tail lift so it could have a deck for fishing off or just sitting on, it would also give a place for a small awning and somewhere for a mat to not drag mud into the van.

 

[Sprinter 1 cup]

This mite help 2023 Bailey Adamo 75-4DL.
Pub 15122022

 

[Pudsey Bear]

This mite help 2023 Bailey Adamo 75-4DL.
Pub 15122022

No idea what that means.

 

[Sprinter 1 cup]

No idea what that means.

Yes ive never seen 8 people in motorhome.
The above is a layout of a van ! use YouTube as a walk around tour of 2023 Bailey Adamo 75-4DL. With the date published.
This is not a charitable thing to say. Lol

 

[mistericeman]

Just got home so only just seen this thread

I'd not touch a bus for loads of reasons.

I would seek out a refrigerated 22 or 30 foot 7.5 or 10t truck and build on that, the simplicity of a square body is well worth the extra you might pay, you can just buy the furniture etc.

A double bed and two three tier bunks and you're done.


I did do a drawing (badly) of my idea for one but we decided we didn't need that much space..

View attachment 5693

Having spent a goodly amount of my fridge/aircon life working on refrigerator wagons/trailers ....

I personally wouldnt touch one with a barge pole IF you can find one that doesn't smell from its past life carrying a mixture of low temp loads that have soaked into its very fabric ...
There's a good chance water WILL have soaked into its very fabric ......

They,are expensive to buy and thus usually beyond much use by the time they are Ridded off .

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Having spent a goodly amount of my fridge/aircon life working on refrigerator wagons/trailers ....

I personally wouldnt touch one with a barge pole IF you can find one that doesn't smell from its past life carrying a mixture of low temp loads that have soaked into its very fabric ...
There's a good chance water WILL have soaked into its very fabric ......

They,are expensive to buy and thus usually beyond much use by the time they are Ridded off .

That's a very specialised point of view, never even considered that but of course, you'd get in the box and if it smelled bad walk away, I did look at a couple and never noticed any nasty niffs but we went with something a bit more usable anyway.

A simple box van could be easily insulated which is the only shortcut with a reefer anyway, more readily available and cheaper, I might have it spray foamed but not sure if the heat generated might warp it, they have to be careful when doing PVCs.

Not too silly miles

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[MatijaSever]

Hi all, new here, hopefully I’m ok to post this.
We are looking to buy a coach in order to go travelling with our children, a family our size this seems to be the suitable option.

This has always been something we would like to do, soga miniatures I need to see if there are any major cons to this idea, things we haven’t thought about.
Any recommendations for https://telegrambetting.club/?

Potentially buying one on Friday and I’m feeling excited but hesitant. We have a storage facility while we do the conversion.

So yeah, any advice welcome.

Welcome to the forum! This is an exciting adventure you are about to embark on! I'm sure you've done a lot of research already, but it's always great to get advice from other experienced travelers.

When it comes to insurance, for a family of your size, I would highly recommend looking into RV-specific insurance policies. There are a lot of great companies that can provide comprehensive coverage for your family's travels.

Good luck with your purchase and safe travels!