Independent inspection of motor home in W.A?

[2Smiths]

Hi all,
As mentioned briefly in my intro. my wife and I are looking to purchase a motor home to do some longer-term travelling and free-camping starting, next year...

We've "looked at" (online) a few, and narrowed down a couple that we like, one in Brisbane (on consignment at a dealer), and the other a private sale in W.A.

The Brisbane one I'm not sure about. The rig looks decent, from what I can see, but the dealer wants a $500 deposit BEFORE we send someone around to inspect it. "Don't worry", they say, "as is the inspection is not to your liking, we'll happily refund your deposit..." Sounds like an instant recipe for losing one's $500, in my view.

The other one in WA looks - on the surface - more promising. Has stacks of solar, batteries and power switching capability (To my lay person's eye it look pretty well thought out). Supposedly has a new engine and recoe'd Allison auto. The vehicle is a front-engined Hino Bus (38ft), running a Merc. OM906LA.

Nice, moder-looking fitout, towing ability and so on.

What we need is someone who can look over it for us, and give us an idea of:

1) Whether the mechanics stack up (i.e. is the drive-line in good nick, and mostly new as stated)?

2) Possible engineering and other issues we may face (assuming we don't transfer the rego in WA, and - hopefully - avoid re-engineering*

3) Any "show stoppers" we might have missed which could add up to large $$$ down the track.

Is there anyone in W.A that can perform these kind of inspections? (Whether an actual business, or someone who does it "on the side" so to speak)?

Hope someone can point me in the right direction.

*If there are issues requiring attention, I'd like fix them myself, or get someone to do so. Not looking to run around in a dodgy vehicle; more just looking to avoid expenses - in this case another engineering saga - where they can be avoided.

[T1 Terry]

Hi Michael, if you plan to register the vehicle in the ACT you need to talk to the people who will do the rego transfer. I haven't ever tried it myself but from what I'm told the hoops can be really hard to jump through even if the vehicle is in really good condition and once engine swaps and body mods come into the picture it can get much harder still.
An option is to register in South Australia using a caravan park weekly site rental as proof residency and getting a South Australian customer number. Then rego is a case of "give me the money" as long as the vehicle is registered in your name, so important to do that part before leaving the state you purchased it.
As I mentioned in your intro thread, best to try before you buy and rent a few different size/type motorhomes before you buy one so you know just what you don't like .... I know it sounds backwards to logical thinking but it narrows down the field considerably and will save you a lot of dramas further down the track.
If you are looking for a converted bus then I believe Geoff & Sharyn Lollier (Boblebago) will be putting their rig on the market soon because work is getting in the way of travelling. It is already set up with lithium batteries and I think a 240vac inverter fridge so the serious stuff is already sorted.

T1 Terry & Margaret

[2Smiths]

Thanks Terry. Appreciate the feedback.

Our intention was to apply the thinking re: the S.A example, but to W.A (where the bus is registered now, were we to purchase it).

We would NOT consider registering it here in the ACT...at all! Cost for a rig that size here would run somewhere between $2-3K, which is a rip-off, pure and simple. And that's before the (re)engineering headaches...or maybe after, but you get the idea.

We're also reasonably comfortable with what we're after. Decent room, decent ability to carry plenty of gear (including spares, tools etc.) and decent ability to tow...For us, little else matches the all-round pros of a decent sized bus (without getting into the extra expense to acquire and maintain a tag-axle coach).

That particular bus ticks a few boxes also, because being auto. it will be easier for the wife to learn to drive.

I should have mentioned also, the bus has been a motor home for well over a decade. It was originally converted in QLD, and bought by the current owners some 10 years ago. They've then added to/improved it, and lived in it (free camping mostly) for the last number of years full-time, so I'm comfortable that it's "sorted" for that kind of use case. (They're selling because they have accepted work overseas for the next few years).

That said, I may check out that other bus you mentioned...



Michael and Irma

[Peter]

Ask them to e mail you copies of receipts for the work done on the vehicle. A good starting point.

[2Smiths]

Already done, Peter. (Along with Tare/GVM/GCM/axle ladings etc. from a weighbridge) They've promised to send them to me...we'll see

[BruceS]

Yes you'll need to put it in your name with WA rego ..... even for a while.
WA does not do the temporary permit for travel across state borders like the Eastern states. (& SA) I think Tassie don't either?
You got family over there that you can use as your "garaging" address?
Is the bus in a Perth suburb? Or ??

[Noggins]

What part of WA is it in ?
I'm in Mandurah and have a bit of mechanical knowledge ( 40 odd yrs as mechanic )
If you need a WA address to keep the rego going there are ways and means for that as well.

PM me if you need more info as well as a 'Look see" at the rig.


Ron

[2Smiths]

Thanks guys. The 'bus is in Rockingham, so not too far from you Ron.

I'll PM you a bit later re: the garage address things, but I have a fair idea about how we might achieve this (given what might be termed "perpetual traveller" status). I'll be keen to see how that tallies with your thoughts.

Thanks again for getting back to me.

[dapope]

Sounds like you are sorted..dont forget to budget stamp duty

[Kappy]

The plus side of WA rego, is no annual inspections. At this stage.