So you’re trying to figure out if you can use your automobile license to drive a Toyota Coaster. Yes is the short answer. Long answer: perhaps.
Understanding a vehicle’s Tare weight and Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) is the first step in determining if you may operate a Toyota Coaster with a regular car license (Class C).
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What size motorhome can you operate with an Australian driver’s license?
All Australian states require a special license for any vehicle that weighs more than 4.5 tonnes.
The Toyota Coaster is dependable.
The Toyota Coaster is an excellent bus that provides a nice balance of interior room, comfort, and excellent usability. With its strong construction and high level of dependability, it is ideal for any usage. When it comes to safety features, the 29-seater is likewise a good package. The driver’s comfort is superb and contributes to a very comfortable long-distance trip. The 4.0L CRDi Diesel engine is quiet, quick, and somewhat fuel-efficient. In general, it is a dependable car that you may buy to receive the most value for your investment.
Toyota Coaster is it 4×4?
Overview of coaster conversions The Enduroco 44 Coaster bus conversions come in right- and left-hand drive, gasoline or diesel, automatic or manual, and other configurations. With the broad range of choices available for the EnduroCo 44 Coaster, the options are virtually limitless.
What size motorhome can you operate with a regular license?
Your automobile driving license (category B) will typically be sufficient to operate the smallest RVs and campervans weighing less than 3,500kg. Drivers who passed before the category’s date-dependent (01/01/1997) change can operate any vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg MAM.
Can I operate a campervan in Australia with a vehicle license?
You can operate our motorhomes without a specific license if you’re an Australian driver. If your driver’s license is up to date and in good standing, you can operate any of our motorhomes.
However, you must have a complete license and at least one year of driving experience; learner drivers and those with provisional or probationary licenses are not permitted to operate our vehicles.
Reliability
Reliability is arguably the most crucial aspect to take into consideration when choosing a car to be your new home. You don’t want to get stuck if it breaks down. If it needs to be at the mechanics for weeks, where will you stay?
A well-liked minibus that is locally available in Australia, Japan, and China but is imported all around the world is the Toyota Coaster. Over 20,000 of them were sold domestically in Australia over the course of over 40 years, and many more were imported.
Toyota Coaster vehicles (mostly those made between 1993 and 2003) share the Toyota 1HZ engine with the Toyota Landcruiser. Some coasters with this highly regarded engine have been discovered to last well over 600,000 kilometers, demonstrating its exceptional dependability.
Because of its robust construction and generous sitting capacity, the coaster is well known and well-liked all across the world. The interior floor of the Toyota Coaster is built of sturdy, superior-quality wood that has been coated in vinyl. Numerous businesses have attempted to imitate the coaster because it has become so well-known, but none have been able to create one that is as robust.
Easy to service
Since Toyota is such a well-known brand in Australia as a whole, practically any mechanic can handle any necessary maintenance or small repairs on a Toyota Coaster. It’s simple to find components because most local shops carry Toyota parts in store or can order them for a reasonable price. This is a significant factor in the popularity of the Toyota Coasters for bus conversions.
Size
We discovered the Toyota Coaster to be the ideal size for what we were searching for because it is a minibus. We could easily fit a queen bed, a shower/toilet, a kitchen, and a living room, with room to store everything we need. While it is tiny enough to drive to and through national parks without causing too much of a hassle, it is also 6.8 meters long and 2 meters broad, which is a great gain as this was one of the reasons we wanted to accomplish this. It is also easy to drive around town and park when necessary because it fits into two car spots and is not much broader than a 4WD.
It may be small and light enough to be used in Australia with a regular car license, which entitles the holder to operate a vehicle weighing up to 4.5 tonnes and seating up to 12 passengers.
An LR license, or light rigid truck license, is the next level up and is intended for vehicles that weigh more than 4.5 tonnes and up to 8 tonnes and can accommodate more than 12 passengers.
The GVM of the Toyota Coaster, which includes seats and 22 people, is 4.99 tonnes. The coaster’s weight will be sufficiently lowered after the seats are taken out for it to be upgraded to a class C, or vehicle license. You won’t need an LR license if you keep the converted weight under 4.5 tonnes gross.
You must complete a truck driving course and pass a computer test in order to obtain an LR license in NSW. This makes it a far more practical and economical solution, as LR courses may be quite expensive.
Availability and Pricing –
The Toyota Coaster is reasonably priced in and of itself. Following extensive investigation into numerous versions, which ranged in price from about AUD $10,000 to $25,000, we discovered that the coaster was a very practical alternative to convert into a motorhome.
We also discovered that once modified, coasters retain their value very well. Large windows, rear doors, and wheelchair lifts are just a few of the fantastic advantages you get for the original cost, in addition to superb reliability and longevity, a reasonable lot of space for something that can just need a car license (once converted), and wheelchair lifts in some models.
Toyota Coaster buses are rather common. They have been around for a while, so it makes sense that there are a good number of them in existence. We looked all around Australia before settling on one in our own neighborhood. What are the chances? It had everything we were looking for and more.
Due to its popularity as a vehicle to convert into a motorhome, not only is the bus itself easy to get, but also the components needed to complete the conversion. Flat pack solutions that are already cut and prepared to fit into a Toyota Coaster are offered by businesses like DIY RV Solutions and Noq Noq RV fitouts. If you don’t know where to begin and are looking for some inspiration, this can be useful to look at.
Final thoughts
Even after reading what we just said again, it is clear that we made the proper choice in deciding to go with a Toyota Coaster.
The finest bus for our modification, it seems, is this one. Even though the seats were only recently taken out, our coaster already felt like home. It ought to feel like home, and that is how it ought to be.
When we told our relatives and friends that this was going to be our journey, they all scoffed. Who gets up and moves out to live on the road in a bus?
So, if you can, we advise everyone interested in doing thisor even simply lookingto just go for it. Do it now. The freedom it has given us thus far and the conviction that we will fulfill our life goals are both thrilling.
What kind of motor does the Toyota Coaster have?
A 4.0-liter, four-cylinder (yes), Euro 5-compliant turbo-diesel engine powers all Coasters. The common-rail engine produces 110kW of power at 2700 rpm and 397Nm of torque at 1800 rpm. The gasoline tank holds 95 liters of fuel and has a two-ton towing capacity.
A Coaster is it a bus?
The 29-seat Toyota Coaster is a smartly constructed bus that is made to outperform others in its class. The most recent bus industry news focuses on increased user safety and increased driver comfort. In addition, the bus is equipped with a variety of conveniences, such as an air conditioner and adjustable seats, to make traveling easier for both the driver and passengers. A 4.0L CRDi Diesel engine that produces 390 Nm of peak torque and 133 horsepower at its highest output powers this 29-seat bus. There is a five-speed manual transmission connected to the engine.
How many kilometers does a bus travel?
Don’t be shocked if the MTC bus you take the next time makes a quick stop at a retail gasoline station.
Commuters may have to prepare for a somewhat longer trip because the State government has advised transport businesses to fill up at the pumps where subsidised diesel is still available.
Metropolitan Transport Corporation, which operates a fleet of 3,600 buses and travels more than nine lakh kilometers every day, directed its conductors and drivers to buy diesel from retail bunks close to depots on Friday.
This follows the Center’s decision last week to adopt dual pricing for diesel, which would prevent bulk consumers like state transportation enterprises from receiving fuel subsidies.
As a result, MTC would have to pay roughly Rs. 60 per litre for diesel when the same fuel is sold at retail locations for Rs. 50.68.
“We had previously been given a discount because we were big consumers. We will now have to pay an additional Rs. 10, though. As a result, we decided to go to retail pumps to get diesel at a lower price, according to an MTC official.
The price increase happened as MTC was considering how to deal with soaring costs. “Every time, he remarked, it is not simple to shift the responsibility to commuters.
A bus typically gets 4.5 kilometers per liter of fuel. Over two lakh liters of diesel are consumed daily by MTC buses.
A representative said that payments for diesel bought from retail fuel outlets will be made weekly, fortnightly, or monthly.
“It might be carried out every day. We are determining the payment method. Everything will be agreed upon in a week, the official predicted.
However, a driver’s union member claimed to have learned that payment will be made the next day by the relevant branch managers.
Commuters claim that this could result in corruption and inconvenience for other drivers at fuel bunks.
“Consider a bus entering the bunk while other cars are still waiting. S. Pugazhendi, who frequently commutes by 27D, predicted chaos.
MTC authorities promised to make every effort to avoid such occurrences. “We are attempting to determine the best timing to send the buses for a diesel fill-up. According to the authority, it may be early in the morning or even the night before to spare other drivers suffering.
Representatives of trade unions also cautioned that eventually, such a system might result in corruption.
“The bunk personnel and drivers might collaborate to inflate the amount of diesel filled. MTC representatives ought to adequately oversee this, according to a member.
The oil companies will be able to match the demand of transport businesses, according to a senior official of Indian Oil Corporation.
Crowding at the gas stations will undoubtedly be a problem, but it can be handled, the source added.
What is the price of converting a Toyota Coaster to 4WD?
Part of the Bus 44 Group, which also builds coaches based on Iveco 4WD models and produces 4WD Toyota Coasters and Toyota Commuters, is 44 Motorhomes Australia.
I-Bus Australia, which constructs bus bodies on Isuzu truck chassis, is another member of the Bus 44 Group. Bus 44 Group recently expanded their product line beyond mining business transport vehicles to include school buses, coaches, tour buses, campervans, and RVs.
Before making any body modifications for the campervans, the Coaster and Commuter models must be converted to 4WD. Bus 44 does not carry out internal fitouts, but it can suggest reputable professionals that do.
We can’t think of a more challenging environment to understand what works and what doesn’t than the Australian mining sector, where Bus4x4 literally got its start.
Equipment operators for mining companies aren’t exactly known for taking good care of their tools!
Toyota Coaster converts from two-wheel drive to all-wheel drive using proprietary technology and genuine Toyota components.
There are several authorized service centers in Australia, but the 44 conversion work is currently done in Brisbane. Both the manual and automatic versions of these vehicles can use the upgrades.
Adding a lift-kit to the front and rear suspension is the first step in converting a 2WD Coaster into an AWD campervan. The next addition is a second Toyota Coaster front differential that is driven by an AWD transfer case. For off-road driving, this method eliminates the need to activate free-wheeling hubs.
To fit the front drive axles, the Coaster’s normal ventilated disc brakes are replaced with an upgraded model. Calipers and disc pads continue to be the norm.
An AWD LandCruiser 200 Series, two-speed transfer case is connected to the front prop-shaft by a straightforward dial switch.
With an optional set of super-single tires, the drive axle at the back may clear the leaf spring pack by an astounding 230mm. A High Lift 2WD Coaster that can be transformed into a campervan is also available.
We observed a Bus4x4 Coaster being constructed at the company’s Brisbane facility, and we were quite pleased with the kit’s design and manufacturing quality.
The front diff bolts to the stock lower suspension mounts, while the new front hub carrier picks up the old upper wishbone mounting thanks to carefully calculated measurements. The standard suspension components are kept, but with a taller hub carrier to increase ground clearance and give room for a specially-built half shaft to connect to the front hub. The lower control arm and leading arm mounts are carried by the front diff cradle, so the standard suspension components are retained.
The usage of common propshafts and jack shafts is also impressive. The standard rear shaft and jack shaft are turned into the front drive link and a standard rear propshaft without the jack shaft is turned into the rear drive shaft thanks to the remotely mounted LandCruiser 200 Series transfer case.
We briefly drove a 2017 Bus4x4 Coaster on the road and were really impressed by its “factory feel.” Despite the modified vehicle’s taller stance, steering, ride, and handling were identical to those of a normal 2WD Coaster. The Bus4x4 Coaster has a full-time 4WD system installed, and the dial control for locking the center differential in 4WD and engaging the low range comes directly from the LandCruiser 200 Series.
For a current Coaster, a 4WD Conversion Kit costs $49,990 with GST. A converted Bus4x4 Coaster has the advantage of using widely available Toyota parts and Australia-wide support over a European cab/chassis.
Additionally, the Coaster has an automatic transmission option that neither the Europeans nor the Japanese offered in 2018.
The Hiace system resembles the Coaster in that it also has an independent front suspension and all-wheel drive.
The SLWB variants and mini-bus models are converted to the Hiace Commuter 4WD employing a single-speed New Process transfer case and restricted slip rear.
Bus 44 does not construct internal fit-outs, but it can obtain them from reputable professionals who use cutting-edge materials for creative designs with plenty of storage.
The three types of fit-outs that Bus 44 recommends are the Core Series, which is most frequently used for 6-7-meter buses and starts at $31,990, the Executive Series, which starts at $49,990, and the opulent Premium Series, which starts at $64,990. All fit-out costs are approximations and are based on the outside contractor, the final design, and the available alternatives.
All floor plans come with vinyl flooring in the living, kitchen, shower, and bedroom spaces as well as a cooktop, refrigerator, water tanks, a hot water system, house batteries, and an outdoor awning. At the stage of campervan body construction, slide-outs and additional body changes might be designed.
The fit-out warranty is based on the chosen contractor, and Bus 44 offers a 12-month warranty on its 4WD and external motorhome alteration.
Since a few years ago, Bus4x4 has imported Coaster models with higher output that Toyota didn’t import. A Hino four-liter with 110kW was the normal output, but Bus4x4 offered engines up to 135kW. Both a five-speed manual and an automatic five-speed were available.
The removal of the normal front end and its replacement with a specially built live axle with a Dana 70 or 80 center, manual free-wheeling hubs, and ventilated disc brakes marked the beginning of the conversion from a 2WD Coaster to a 4WD Campervan.
A front propshaft coupled to a New Process, two-speed transfer case and a long-travel coil spring front suspension were added to the chassis.
Ground clearance was increased by a remarkable 250mm at the back thanks to the drive axle being hung underneath the leaf-spring pack. Final drive ratios ranging from 4.9:1 to 6.1:1 could be used with an optional Eaton TrueTrac diff center.