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Post by thecross on Oct 29, 2005 11:00:42 GMT
Hi all,
What is the average running cost while a coach is on the road? Rough guide to miles/L? General maintenance costs? Cost to replace tyres? Etc?
Trying to work out costing and a way to make my coach sustainable. Thinking about 6-8 beds and renting them out to travellers as I move around.
Thanks, Tim
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Post by thecross on Nov 5, 2005 11:24:26 GMT
Anybody???
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Post by tanglewood7x on Nov 5, 2005 23:08:41 GMT
Hi mate Dunno about the renting idea - but good luck all the same. I guess the running costs depend on the size of your wagon. I had an 8metre Bedford PJK that did an easy 22-mpg (diesel of course!) for 6000miles across Europe. I've been told that the 12metres (45 to 54 seats) do nearer the mid-teens when converted. I hope my current 10metre will do 20mpg or so when we get off abroad in her after Christmas as it's a light wood and alloy body. Tax is as a car when converted as it's a motorhome and class 4 MOT etc. (or free if you're pre-1972). Mind it's only a bit more for the bus tax anyway - it cost me £220 in 2003 for a years tax! Tyres are a bit pricey depending on size - try www.CheapTyres4U.co.uk for prices. I've got a real oldy (44-years old) and the tyres are about £150 each new - but then I got a good set second hand for £10 each! The nice thing about commercials is the parts are generally available (might be best to get a parts book if it's old or unusual) - and so much can generally be taken apart and fixed compared to a car... just pack some bigger spanners and Irwin vice grips for the rusty ones!! On the oldies servicing is easy - it's like working on an old tractor! I can't tell you about modern rear-engined v10's... but they seem to have no trouble playing with them in Thailand so maybe they're not as scarey as they look! Sorry I can't be of more help - please ask if you think I can!?! - again good luck Cheers Adam
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Post by Jonathan Smith on Nov 6, 2005 19:57:37 GMT
I work on £1 per mile for fuel. I drove from Cumbria to Tranent via the A7 and this cost £60 so that gives a rough idea. Again it depends on the bus, the road and the weight carried.
Tyres can be sourced cheaply depends on what vehicle you end up with. My bus uses 11 R 22.5's which I can have supplied and fitted for about £100 each. Again the life of the tyre depends on the amount of driving you do. If you reshod the entire vehicle to start with then the tyres may outlast the bus.
Running repairs who can guess.
I've been away round Scotland this week, did a massive run all the way to the north coast, east coast, west coast and skye.
I had an air leak when the main supply hose blew, so I needed to source a hose in Ullapool, which took 2 days. I had a problem with the offside rear light cluster but managed to rewire the unit with my tools and spares.
The shock absorbers on the cooling fan prop shaft sheared off, again I jury rigged this with electrical cable awaiting new parts, I nursed the bus from Loch Ness all the way down the west coast and through to Edinburgh with the jury rig.
Storage costs me £500 per year, insurance about £400, MOT normally in the region of £500
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Post by stracyznski on Nov 9, 2005 21:54:44 GMT
Apart from the MPG costs, they don't seem much up on running your average family size saloon. the two main other areas that differ are the storage cost, as it's not like you can keep these things on the average driveway. And brakedown cover, again the standard car 'get-me-home' dosn't really apply. However in the later case, from my days driving an ex-police riot van, I tended to carry enough tools to taken most road side brakedowns. I don't see how you can make the bus substainable unless you rent it out canalboat style on a weekly bases, or run pre-arranged tours. Most ownerswould wright the cost off in much the same way a caravan owner would. However if the bus is of the right standard and right sytle, ther many be some mileage in hiring out film shoots and the likes....
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