FOR SALE - Cuppa’s Nissan Civilian Motorhome

[Cuppa]

A very comfortable motorhome built for extended free camping. Home is wherever you pull up.

‘Nonny’ will go on sale in the near future. We have decided to rationalise vehicles & intend to get a Tvan tow behind our Patrol.

I’ll probably put it up on Ebay within the next couple of weeks if no interest from here (or caravaners). If you or someone you know is interested, drop me a PM.


A valuation for Agreed Value insurance two weeks ago put $45k on it.
Our asking price is $36500 ono



We have owned this vehicle for 11 years. (I feel guilty just writing this, it’s like putting a member of the family up for sale!) When fitting it out the primary aims were to achieve a sense of spaciousness whilst keeping it ‘homely’, unlike many of the ‘clinical’ white melamine full height conversions we saw which made us feel overly cramped. We also wanted good air flow for use in hot climates, a comfortable bed & a good fridge (having experienced a gas fridge which would defrost on anything other than a level site). Fit out was completed in 2007. We believe we succeeded in our aims. In 2008 & 2009 we drove the bus around Australia for an extended 18 month trip of a lifetime. Since then we have only used it for occasional long weekends. Nevertheless every time we climb aboard there is the sense of ‘coming home. We will miss ‘Nonny’ (short for Anonybus) but we now have new plans & no longer need ‘her’.


Vehicle Details


- 1989 7 metre (Long Wheelbase) Nissan Civilian Motorhome. ED33 diesel motor. Manual gearbox with splitter box (giving 10 speed - 5 high & 5 low ratios)


- Vehicle has done 196,305 kilometres but motor was replaced with an identical low kilometre Japanese import engine at 183,396 kilometres. Good strong motor, runs well. A new clutch & water pump were fitted at the same time.


- Oil (Penrite) & filters changed every 5000kms. (Several spare oil, fuel & air filters will go with bus, plus belts, hoses, a new in box water pump & various other useful bits & pieces).


- Registered until June 2015. RWC will be supplied.


External


- Resprayed in 2012. No rust except for a tiny spot at the very rear of the gutter on each side. Not a major issue.


- All new leaf springs & suspension bushes approximately 1000kms ago.


- AGM Optima Yellowtop starter batteries.


- Alloy Bullbar


- Aluminium mesh windscreen protector & sunshade


- Towbar


- Adjustable Koni Shock absorbers all round


- 7 good Michelin Tyres (Spare unused) - note the load capacity of each tyre is sufficient alone per axle , thus with the rear duals & the spare, this essentially gives three ‘spares', reassuring in the more remote areas.


- Onboard air compressor (USA made Thomas) with air tank mounted under floor - air outlets to front & rear.


- Two swing out jerry can holders - fit onto rear bumper (not fitted in photos).


- Rear vision Camera


- Several external 12v sockets


- Insect proof metal mesh on windows & screen door (also provide privacy).


- Awning - Aussie Traveller ‘Coolabah - 6 metres. (with zip on awning walls - unused)


Driving Cab


- Surfaces trimmed with padded velour (doesn’t burn in hot climate like the original vinyl does)


- Sheepskin seat covers & Steering wheel cover


- DVD/MP3/Disc Player + 6 x 9 Alpine speakers.


- UHF radio (CB 40 channel)


- iPod holder/transmitter


- Satellite Navigator (Mio).


- Noise suppression foam lining inside engine compartment.


Kitchen


- Smev 3 burner gas hob/oven griller - with optional glass lid.


- Smev Sink with mixer tap.


- Under bench rubbish bin (auto lift up lid).


- Vitrifrigo 133 litre fridge freezer (with remote Danfoss compressor).


- Full height pantry with slide out baskets.


- A good amount of bench space for food preparation.


- Cutlery & utensil drawer & further storage spaces for cookware & crockery.


Water


- Shurflo ‘Whisper King pressure pump (auto)


- Sigmar Marine hot water service - 20 litres - calorifier type - heats water using engine heat as you drive. Stays hot up to 3 days depending upon ambient temperatures. Also has 240v element.


- 2 x 80 litre interconnected water tanks - each can be isolated in case of damage. Stone protection in front & underneath.


- 2 x external taps (one hot)


-Electronic water level indicator (LED readout)


- Water capacity lasts us around 10 days we have stretched it out to 2 weeks on occasions - but everyone’s use is different.


- You will note we don’t have an interior shower. We use a shower tent (or not) outside - depending upon the need for modesty. When deciding if we wanted an interior shower or not - we decided in favour of spaciousness having found that many folk use their shower space as a ‘dumping ground’ for ’stuff’. As we favour bush camps we find ourselve camped alone more often than not.


Electrical
3 separate systems.
Dual cable throughout. (ie. chassis not used as earth). Particular attention paid to cable dimensions to avoid voltage drop issues.


This power setup is well proven. We did not require mains power or generator use during 18 months full-time ‘on the road’. We did buy a generator, but never needed it.

The following descriptions may sound complex, but in reality it is a ’no worry’ setup.




Electrical System 1


'Stand-alone' solar system.
3 x 125w solar panels -12volt
Morningstar Tristar 45 amp regulator with optional LCD readout & temperature compensation.
2 x 150amp/hour Fullriver AGM batteries
300w pure sinewave inverter (Powertech) - (connected to wall socket in kitchen) - gives 240 volt from batteries for kitchen appliances.
12v power outlets
1 x 12v Ctek multistage mains 'smart' charger built in
'Blue Seas' circuit breakers


Electrical System 2


Solar system + charging from vehicle alternator
2 x 60w solar panels -24volt
Steca PR1010 solar regulator with LCD readout
2 x 90amp/hour Fullriver AGM batteries paralleled to @x Optima Start batteries via 2 way Redarc Voltage Sensitive Relay (SBI24D)
GSL 24v to 12v converter
1 x 24v Ctek multistage mains 'smart' charger built in.
150w pure sinewave inverter (Powertech) - 240v for audio visual appliances.


Electrical System 3


240v 'shore' power.
Safety switch/Circuit breaker
Two double power points. (double pole) .
Electrical safety certificate.


In the unlikely event that your batteries are running low & sunshine is insufficient, plugging in to mains power will recharge them. When vehicle is not in use it can be parked undercover & the batteries automatically looked after.


In addition there is also a 24 to 12 volt converter in the driving cab providing power for accessories & a third 180 watt pure sine inverter (Victron Phoenix) (used for powering laptops etc).


AudioVisual


At the rear of the ‘house’ is a second head unit - A Pioneer DVD/Ipod/Disc player - has a long range ZCA Marine Antenna on roof. (Folds flat). This will play both music & video from disc or iPod.
Alpine Speakers.
15” LCD Tv - Hidden in rear cupboard when not in use. Swings out on bracket when cupboard open.
Satellite Receiver. Portable satellite dish & stand, cables & signal meter (audio & led) will be included in sale.


Storage


Heaps of storage space. Most lower cupboards make maximum use of space utilising the Elfa sliding basket system.
Overhead cupboards
Underbench cupboards
Under seat storage
Under bed Storage
Boot
Side bin (doubles as drop down external table)
Pole carrier on front bullbar
Even has a secret lockable spot for valuables.


Lighting


Extensive lighting - all LED - allows optimum lighting depending upon activity.


Gas


2 x 3.7kg gas bottles
Gas compliance certificate
We have found one bottle will last us 6 to 8 weeks in full time use, depending upon how much we use the oven.


Roof Hatches


2 x Roof hatches
Front hatch - FanTastic with thermostically controlled fan (reversible direction), & insect mesh.
Rear Hatch Dometic Midi Heki. - With sliding insect screen & block out screen. Double glazed.


Even in situations when the mozzies or sandflies are on the attack outside windows & doors can be open, & the hatches allow heat to escape.
With all windows & doors shut, good airflow is still possible with the hatches open & the hatch fan running.
The hatch fan also doubles as an extractor fan to get rid of cooking smells as it is above the stove.


Curtains & Blind


‘4 seasons’ curtains & Holland Blind do a great job of keeping a lot of heat out.
Together with the pelmets & the block-out screen on the roof hatch do an excellent job of keeping the light in at night. For us this was an important consideration regarding a sense of safety. On the occasions we have needed to camp alongside a road, it is reassuring to not be ‘advertising’ our presence to every passing vehicle.
There are curtains which close of the driving cab too.


Insulation


The combination of the curtains, good air flow, roof insulation (I replaced the original (& highly flammable) roof insulation with aircell insulation), heat reflective paint on the roof , & the solar panels creating a ’tropical roof’ have resulted in a cosy vehicle in cool weather & a comfortable space when the weather heats up. Walls are not insulated as to do so holds in the heat in hot climates.


Toilet


Portapotti on a roll out platform. Can be use inside or out.



It has vehicle air con ducted along the length of the bus behind the overhead cupboards (insulated) & into the cab, but it is currently disconnected. Belts & idler pulley removed.With those parts replaced (I have them) it works ok, except the fan on one side seems weak. I suspect it may have a damaged blade from when I dropped a screw during the fit out!

All photos, except the top one taken 3 weeks ago.

[Bloodyaussie]

Wow..... I have seen this rig first hand and know how much you love it.. as soon as I looked at the photo's then I just felt like I wanted to just piss off and live the life of a nomad .

I hope you get what you are asking as that is a lot of bus for the money and I know how you put lots of effort into anything you do with much more research than the average person.. good luck.

[93patrol]

That bus is freaking amazing Cuppa. Good luck mate

[Clunk]

looks bloody great mate, good luck with the sale............ I'll pass this on to my inlaws who are into caravaning, travelling and such like.......... where else have you got this advertised?

[mudski]

You weren't in Campbellfield last week looking for drag link parts for this were you cuppa. Having never met you....

[Maxhead]

Holy crap Cuppa, must be hard letting go of this thing. Good luck mate

[Cuppa]

Thanks folks. No not me Mudski. Understatement Nisshead!

We have decided to buy a secondhand Tvan, which I’ll strip of all we don’t need (‘cos we have it in the patrol), get rid of the Rooftop tent & mount the portable solar panels on the pod roof.
Might even get fancy & fit a diesel heater to the Tvan. We’ll still have the Oztent in the Patrol so will always have the choice of vehicle only, or warm & comfy bed in the Tvan.

We’ve also learned we could get a long term visa for Thailand, so a retirement split between living there & trekking around the outback is what’s in our sights at the moment. Hard to justify keeping the bus in those circumstances ....... but I reckon I might just shed a tear or two when she goes.

[lucus30]

Thanks folks. No not me Mudski. Understatement Nisshead!

We have decided to buy a secondhand Tvan, which I’ll strip of all we don’t need (‘cos we have it in the patrol), get rid of the Rooftop tent & mount the portable solar panels on the pod roof.
Might even get fancy & fit a diesel heater to the Tvan. We’ll still have the Oztent in the Patrol so will always have the choice of vehicle only, or warm & comfy bed in the Tvan.

We’ve also learned we could get a long term visa for Thailand, so a retirement split between living there & trekking around the outback is what’s in our sights at the moment. Hard to justify keeping the bus in those circumstances ....... but I reckon I might just shed a tear or two when she goes.

Mate that retirement plan sounds awesome. You'll have to buy a patrol in Thailand too

[jack]

Geez that looks even better than you described it Cuppa, good luck with the sale.

[Stropp]

mate that does look good, whats the towing capacity??