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Old 08-25-2008, 01:54 PM   #1
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To Put a Vehicle on a Skoolie...

Step 1: Cut a VW Westfalia in half, contoured to fit on the roof of the skoolie
Step 2: Build two scaffolding towers straddling the VW, with a beam running from the top of one to the other and hoist the VW shell in the air.
Step 3: Drive the skoolie under the hanging VW shell, and lower the VW ontop.

Now what? Any suggestions on how to attach the VW to the roof? I cut the VW with a 2" flange running around the edge that I'll fold out and bolt/lock washer to the trusses of the skoolie, but am still paranoid about taking the double decker on the highway.

Also, waterproofing. Is step flashing the way to go?

I've been looking for someone with experience..

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Old 08-26-2008, 01:23 AM   #2
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Re: To Put a Vehicle on a Skoolie...

Much thanks for the advice!

I have a modicum of experience with welding, but have heard it isn't meant for sheet metal on sheet metal. If it's definitely the way to go, then that's that.

My thought with the flashing would be to have the leg inside the wall of the VW and the foot sticking out on the roof of the skoolie (under the VW's flange) and then [theoretically] shedding the water clean off.

The other reason for not flanging the school bus is that I'm afraid of cutting too much into the trusses and structure. Per the plan, the VW will just be accessed by a small hole in the ceiling of the bus.

But on my word there will be caulk. Loads.
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Old 09-09-2008, 12:12 PM   #3
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Re: To Put a Vehicle on a Skoolie...

Thanks for all the advice! Definitely the best method I'd come across.

I couldn't find a proficient welder or countenance the wait to have my double-decker seemed up, so I went the flashing/flange route, bolting the vehicles together where the trusses line up. The stitches of sheet metal screws and 8 structural bolts really seem a lot more secure than I at first thought they would.

Here's hoping....
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Old 10-29-2008, 03:13 PM   #4
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Re: To Put a Vehicle on a Skoolie...

Bolts and more bolts. It feels like it will last.

Sorry for the delay...
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Old 10-29-2008, 08:47 PM   #5
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Re: To Put a Vehicle on a Skoolie...



Dude!
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Old 10-29-2008, 10:24 PM   #6
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Re: To Put a Vehicle on a Skoolie...

i like that paint job, nice bus!
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Old 07-04-2009, 09:22 AM   #7
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Re: To Put a Vehicle on a Skoolie...

Your bus is beautiful. I am hoping to drop a vdub on my skoolie as well. But what is your clearance height now and how do you avoid bridges and the what not.
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Old 09-09-2009, 05:10 PM   #8
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Re: To Put a Vehicle on a Skoolie...

I am thinking of doing something like this to add height is the middle of my baby.

I added a modified jeep Cherokee top to a Plymouth minivan we converted into a camper back before I was "saved" and converted to skoolieism. Welded it on and then glassed all the way around for sealing. Have had no leaks in 4 years of using it in the watery northwest.

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Old 09-09-2009, 08:50 PM   #9
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Re: To Put a Vehicle on a Skoolie...

I saw one today going down the turnpike in S FLorida. Green Thomas pusher with a VW on top. Just curious, what is the reasoning behind it? Sure did look cool though.
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Old 09-09-2009, 10:13 PM   #10
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Re: To Put a Vehicle on a Skoolie...

Quote:
Originally Posted by kamoo
I saw one today going down the turnpike in S FLorida. Green Thomas pusher with a VW on top. Just curious, what is the reasoning behind it? Sure did look cool though.
I would say it benefits space, maybe a rooftop penthouse, a home theater, a poptop roof in the VW makes a third level, a storage area, or a kids play area, or many other uses I would imagine... I had a few VW poptops & they were a blast just by themselves...can't imagine the benefits of a rooftop mount!
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Old 01-29-2010, 09:02 PM   #11
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Re: To Put a Vehicle on a Skoolie...

hey smitty, gotta ask a dumb question - generally what hight is "legal"? so far I'm seeing 14 ft max, but will that still add driving restrictions in some areas?

My plan is to add something more substantial than a VW, maybe a short bus, but I wouldn't take it past 3.5-4 ft high, just enough space for a guest bed. (the length will have to accomidate both the bed and the opening above the "livingroom", giving it a nice high ceiling and a place for plants.)

Also, speaking of legal, what are the limits of activity for a second floor when on the road? you can't exactly buckle someone in up there... or would it just be treated like an overcab bed?
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Old 01-30-2010, 06:13 AM   #12
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Re: To Put a Vehicle on a Skoolie...

I think Max Height is 13ft 6in.
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Old 07-19-2010, 09:50 AM   #13
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Re: To Put a Vehicle on a Skoolie...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sketchbang

The other reason for not flanging the school bus is that I'm afraid of cutting too much into the trusses and structure. Per the plan, the VW will just be accessed by a small hole in the ceiling of the bus.
So, I just bought my bus, and now we're struggling with the plan we laid out several months ago of raising the roof with a welded vehicle. I just noticed the aop mentioned avoiding cutting into trusses. is this really a problem structurally? the hole we were hoping to cut would be about 4 ft length or so, up at the front of the bus just behind the drivers seat... not sure how wide (still considering what vehicle will go up there, or if we should makeshift the whole structure out of sheet metal and extra windows). just under would be the living room, roof would only be raised 3 ft, like an overcab bed space. total length of structure about 10-12 ft.

also, how significantly does the weight affect maneuverability or gas mileage?
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