Hi everyone - We are Cath and Al from Boronia, Vic and have just purchased a 1985 Nissan Civilian that had been modified into a motorhome. Unfortunately we did not purchase it with a roadworthy (stupid us) - and have since found out gas - non compliant - electricity - non compliant - we had to get rust taken out all over the place and up to date spent around $6k trying to get her on the road. Now we are down to the VASS certificate and have been told our seats are non compliant
Suffice to say, we will not be taking "Big Bertha" with us to Bright this Christmas
Has anyone had to put the drivers and front passengers seats into a Civlian????? If so, PLEASE could you share some advice with us????? We are at a loss as to why our engineer advised that we need to replace seats with ORIGINAL bus seats - either being from a Toyota Coaster, Toyota Hiace or a Civilian. These are not easy to come by (especially in Victoria).
Any suggestions for differing seats that will suffice??
Thanks in advance for your comments/help
Dougwe said
02:55 PM Dec 18, 2020
Welcome to the gang Cath and Al, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I haven't heard of the seat problem before. Have you checked with Vic Roads about that or is just someone saying so?
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Possum3 said
03:09 PM Dec 18, 2020
Welcome to GN's Cathie, Most Automotive Engineers are pretty spot on regarding as making a vehicle compliant to VDR's (Vehicle Design Rules).
May I suggest that you download free Technical Reports and Checklists at Caravan Council of Australia www.caravancouncil.com.au/
TheHeaths said
07:40 PM Dec 18, 2020
Why not ask the engineer why?
If he is making the suggestion, he can give you the correct reason and information, and possibly save you costs if you use something else and need to change them again.
yobarr said
01:48 PM Dec 19, 2020
Hi Cathie...you might like to email sales@nationaltruckspares.com.au in Sydney.Seems that they wreck lots of these vehicles,and if they don't have what you want,they may have other contacts.Good luck! Cheers
CathnAl said
02:30 PM Dec 19, 2020
Thank you - will look into it
CathnAl said
02:32 PM Dec 19, 2020
Someone saying this is the case - so many mixed messages out there from so many people - gets confusing
Tony Bev said
09:18 PM Dec 20, 2020
A warm welcome from me, CathnAl
Sorry that I can not help you, hope that you get hold of the seats you want
Hi everyone - We are Cath and Al from Boronia, Vic and have just purchased a 1985 Nissan Civilian that had been modified into a motorhome. Unfortunately we did not purchase it with a roadworthy (stupid us) - and have since found out gas - non compliant - electricity - non compliant - we had to get rust taken out all over the place and up to date spent around $6k trying to get her on the road. Now we are down to the VASS certificate and have been told our seats are non compliant

Suffice to say, we will not be taking "Big Bertha" with us to Bright this Christmas
Has anyone had to put the drivers and front passengers seats into a Civlian????? If so, PLEASE could you share some advice with us????? We are at a loss as to why our engineer advised that we need to replace seats with ORIGINAL bus seats - either being from a Toyota Coaster, Toyota Hiace or a Civilian. These are not easy to come by (especially in Victoria).
Any suggestions for differing seats that will suffice??
Thanks in advance for your comments/help
I haven't heard of the seat problem before. Have you checked with Vic Roads about that or is just someone saying so?
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
May I suggest that you download free Technical Reports and Checklists at Caravan Council of Australia www.caravancouncil.com.au/
If he is making the suggestion, he can give you the correct reason and information, and possibly save you costs if you use something else and need to change them again.
Hi Cathie...you might like to email sales@nationaltruckspares.com.au in Sydney.Seems that they wreck lots of these vehicles,and if they don't have what you want,they may have other contacts.Good luck! Cheers
Thank you - will look into it
Someone saying this is the case - so many mixed messages out there from so many people - gets confusing
Sorry that I can not help you, hope that you get hold of the seats you want