BIG NEWS: see the news section
PLEASE NOTE: This page has now been updated to be more in tune with where we are now where we are now
TIME TO REFLECT
It has now been six months since we launched this site and it has been a pretty hectic six months. There has been so much to learn about our model, where to find the things we need to find, where to purchase things at an affordable price and of course more frame rust than was expected to deal with. We have been very lucky to have had the services of a young New Zealander to assist during this time, we would probably still be repairing rust if it was not for Mike’s involvement. The site has developed in that time to be a contact point for many others (surprised at how many are out there) going down this road, in some cases you have been on it for years, (the build road, not the real one).
We have had to develop the site as interest in our project has grown, and contacts have built up. That is why sections like useful bits, news and the guestbook have been added, to try and keep the info flowing (it goes both ways). these will develop further as time permits. We have also met some wonderful people who appreciate the site, the buying group, and the confirmation that they are not alone !
The buying group also has come about from a suggestion that we should combine resources to try and save some money and manufacturers are coming to realise a sale at wholesale price for their product is better than no sale at all. Next week for instance we will be ordering over $1,000 worth of electric radiator fans for members, for which the recommended retail is over $3,000. quite a saving. Other products are available as well, see the buy group pages.
It is also a lot of fun to be able to help when people ask your advice, if we have already done it.
Our own build is progressing nicely, by the end of August we should have a complete new fibreglass body in place and be looking good for an Xmas finish to the build, as long as we can get airbag and shocker replacement done in that timeframe. We have had to use some unusual products and ideas during this build but thats half the fun !
I will leave the below in place for first time viewers, so they can read where we have come from, and I hope we catch you back here in another 6 months !!
This site is a work in progress and is updated as time permits. The first task has been the removal of rust, and poorly done past rust repairs (up to 4 layers thick). So, that will be what most of the pics are early on, and this time is also being used to research and plan. Now that most of that is past, move on the other sections to see what we are up to now.
We, (see about page) have noticed others doing similar sites during their build process and have decided to do the same. Hopefully, as this site becomes more widely known we will end up in touch with like minded individuals as well as any suppliers we have not been able to find so far.
Our motorhome build is an Austral Tourmaster, ex 53 seater, 12.5 mtrs long, tag axle coach with the v6 turboed Detroit diesel and 6 speed Spicer gearbox. The coach will cruise comfortably at 100 kph.It will be converted over the next 12 months and a series of small trips undertaken to allow for any adjustments that need to be made.
We will do the conversion ourselves as we have the skills available amongst our farm workforce, and of course if you are farming, you have access to a fair bit of equipment.
We are not complete novices, many years ago Bill converted a Sydney suburban bus (AEC 11.3 ltr underfloor mid mount) back in the days when the term motorhome probably wasn’t invented, as most people, when informed of what Bill was doing would say “don’t you mean a caravan?” Bill and his mates had a ton of fun going to open air rock concerts, skiing trips etc, but eventually a guy offered Bill $12K (35 years ago !) of gold nuggets for the vehicle so it was bye bye bus. In the intervening years it has been head down bum up building a business, but Bill has always had an eye out for an Austral or Denning at the right price.
We will go all fibreglass outer skins and roof, retain and re-use the front and rear headers (fibreglass) and thus keep the water out. We have done a 350mm roof lift as we will not be doing the common passage down the middle, but instead down one side. This allows us to have a flat ceiling, and makes running wires much easier. The products for fixing skins etc that are available now are far more advanced than when the coach was built.
While not needing to adhere to a budget, tight control will be exercised over what goes into this vehicle, as there are far too many palaces (in our humble opinion) out there that have had way too much capital invested in them, that will never be returned. Further into the conversion we will do a budget category detailing our spending if people find that useful.
We invite you to follow our progress over the next year as we tackle this project, and we will post some contact details . If you are doing a conversion, or a supplier who would like a link to your site feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you.
