 Adventure Motorhomes are in the business of converting mid-sized vans and buses into what some consider is their proper role - a Motorhome. Malcolm Street took their Toyota Coaster conversion for a run to review the end product. At the recent CMCA rally, I was amused to hear a member comment that a Toyota Coaster bus was really just a motorhome awaiting a conversion. With this particular comment in mind, I visited Adventure Motorhomes at Ingleburn, NSW, to check out one of their latest conversion projects. Mick and Debbie Briggs, owners of Adventure Motorhomes, have been in the motorhome conversion business for a number of years. Their first project was a conversion completed for Debbie's father. Subsequently, another person ordered a similar conversion and so the business was born. Mick is a carpenter and joiner by trade and has a background in marine work. Like many others, he discovered that boats and motorhomes are very similar to fit out. They have been at their current premises for about two years and complete about 12 conversions a year. They are keen to expand their business but are even keener to find appropriately skilled trades people. The couple not only do motorhome conversions, they are also users. The motorhome I tested is their demonstration unit and recreational vehicle, when they can afford the time away. In performing motorhome conversions, their experience also comes from Mick's grandparents - who previously owned caravan parks - and Debbie's parents, who were keen caravanners until they moved into the motorhome world. When I asked what sort of people were buying mid-sized bus conversions, Debbie said most had owned recreational vehicles. Some were former caravanners or motorhomers who no longer wanted a bed in the Luton peak. The types of vehicles they convert are mostly Toyota Coasters and Mazdas, however, Mercedes-Benz Sprinters, Asias and Iveco units also feature on their list. All their motorhomes are custom built and the fit-out takes about five to six weeks. Debbie and Mick are keen to point out that all their conversions are supplied with an engineer's certificate and that (in NSW at least) their local RTA office registers their vehicles.
For this review, the base vehicle was a Toyota Coaster LWB, with a 4.2 litre diesel motor (the same one fitted to Land Cruisers) and a five-speed manual gearbox. I must confess that my perception of a Toyota Coaster goes back some years, to a model that had very square seats and an all-powerful 2.0-litre petrol motor. So it was with some interest that I took a test drive to see how it performed and how comfortable it was. The diesel motor certainly powers the Coaster along with gusto. In my brief travels it kept up with the traffic flow easily enough and showed no signs of being sluggish. The manual five-speed gearbox was the typical truck-style changing pattern, with the first gear being on the left and back (rather than the usual forward). Mick told me that on the open road, the Coaster averages 18-20 mpg (14-15 L/100km). As for comfort, the Aerotech seats are quite comfortable and a vast improvement according to my memory! The driver's seat even comes with an air-pump adjustable back support.
Externally, the Coaster is a very smart vehicle, with its two-tone paint scheme and graphics along the side. The tinted windows are optional, however, given the large amount of window space in the Coaster, I wouldn't consider them as an option! For people who like to spend their time at the beach, there's an external shower located on the nearside. Naturally, being a bus, there is access between the driver's cab and the rear of the motorhome. However, the hump of the engine covers is between the seats, which means it isn't quite a walk-through. This particular layout was designed with Mick and Debbie's children in mind, so it has a lounge/dining area directly behind the driver's cabin. The kitchen and toilet/shower facilities are located amidship and the double bed is fitted across the rear. All the timberwork, both panels and doors, is beautifully finished in Tasmanian Oak. This includes the unseen framework, which is all completed using 40mmx20mm timber. In the front area, the passenger seat swivels around to form part of the lounge/dining area. With the table in position, there is not a great deal of room to spare but the table does swivel out of the way when not required. The table is also used to form part of an L-shaped bed. It will not fit two adults but does suit two children quite well. Both the single lounge seat on the nearside and the sideways-facing seat on the offside are fitted with seatbelts.
One problem created by the Coaster's windows is that the seatbacks, designed to fit under the window frame, are very low and do not give much back support. The only way to resolve this particular problem would be to have the seatback protrude into the window space. Mounted above the driver and passenger seats, the TV/video player can be seen quite easily from the dining area, and also by those standing in the kitchen. In the galley, the kitchen bench is designed to fit the Smev three-burner stove and stainless steel sink, while still providing a reasonable amount of bench space. Underneath the stove is a Smev oven and grill, and above the stove is a very slim range-hood. Debbie said that the kitchen bench is located on the nearside to enable the person cooking to, through the very large Coaster windows, join in the conversation of those relaxing under the exterior Fiamma awing. A microwave is located above the Electrolux RM2553 150-litre fridge, located on the opposite side of the walkway. Ridding the Motorhome of fumes and hot air is a range hood and thermostatically controlled forced-air vent in the roof, which has variable control settings. Below: Table can fold down to form two single beds. Opposite the kitchen bench is the rather imposing cabinetwork, containing the shower and toilet, a full-length cupboard divided in half, full-length, slide-out pantry and a fridge. The cupboard contains two levels of hanging space and passes the 'coat hanger' test. The shower/toilet cubicle contains the usual Thetford cassette toilet and vanity unit. storage space is abundant, with overhead lockers almost all the way around the motorhome. The only exception is the shelf just next to the door for keys, torch and such. Metal struts are used on all doors, together with piano hinges. Instead of conventional drawers in the lower storage areas, wire baskets are mostly installed. There is the usual storage underneath the front seats accessible by top hatches, which have piano hinges and metal struts to keep them open (Yay!). The storage area under the double bed is accessed from the rear door. Lighting throughout is 12V, with two recessed fluorescents above the kitchen area, another above the bed and several halogen reading lights. Power points are located at the 'bed end' of the kitchen bench, as well as outside in the awning area. The electric control panel is easily accessible in an overhead locker above the dinette. Conveniently placed at three different locations are little spirit levels - a simple idea but very effective. Adventure Motorhomes will convert everything from a Toyota Coaster to an Iveco van into a motorhome. It's easy to realize why buses like the Coaster are popular. Perhaps the only downside is that they are a little narrow on the inside. However, that does make them easy to manoeuvre and drive, which is what many people desire in their motorhome. Just coasting? You bet!
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