The Broccoli Bus

[CaptSquid]

Clear epoxy coating will work. So will applications of lemon juice or Kool-Ade.

[aaronsb]

Goofing around with the panel stuff. I'm finding steel framing affords a lot of flexibility for interesting ways to connect stuff.


Precision cutting plywood sucks. I hate working with wood.


Got the last interior surfaces on the bed area. This was a pain in the butt too, because of tight clearances and the need to ensure that everything is laid down flat. This will become a set of shelves for the kids stuff, I have place 9" deep x 74" wide by about 30" tall for each of the 4 bunks. Some sort of shelf with bungie netting to hold things in probably.

[cadillackid]

I really like that sheeting as long as its not temperature sensitive.. some of thos plastics bother me because of the amount they expand and contract due to temperature.. or in real high temperatures dont hold their rigidity well.. but with your metal frames you should be solid enough..

it does have a nice clean look...
-Christopher

[aaronsb]

The sheeting lasted through last summer with no ill effect. Because I am fastening it with rivets every 12 x 16 inches, and double taping it on all seams, it's not really going anywhere.

Originally Posted by cadillackid

I really like that sheeting as long as its not temperature sensitive.. some of thos plastics bother me because of the amount they expand and contract due to temperature.. or in real high temperatures dont hold their rigidity well.. but with your metal frames you should be solid enough..

it does have a nice clean look...
-Christopher

[cadillackid]

yes that sounds like the way to do it.. you are hitting it often enough and have it trimmed out.. good way to do it!
-Christopher

[Robin97396]

aaronsb, was that TC2000 RE your first bus?

[aaronsb]

Yes, and I've stayed in a Holiday Inn Express.


Yes, and I've stayed in a Holiday Inn Express

Originally Posted by Robin97396

aaronsb, was that TC2000 RE your first bus?

[Robin97396]

Continental breakfast and bad coffee?

[aaronsb]

I love that waffle machine where you dispense the batter into the paper cup, then pour it into the waffle, close the lid and spin it over, and the digital timer magically starts counting down.

I looked into buying one once but they are really expensive.

Originally Posted by Robin97396

Continental breakfast and bad coffee?

[Robin97396]

Yeah, that was the favorite item of my Xs. It is amazing how much a waffle can cost when you only use the waffle machine a couple times a year.

There's so many people that chose a long bus like yours as their first bus. I've only had one 40 footer and it was a pain for driving and parking in town. But then I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn.

[cadillackid]

I like the Pancake Printer that some of the courtyards have... just push a button and a pancake pops out!..

I cant imagine parking a 14 row RE in some of the hotel parking lots I park in.. for the last couple weeks ive asked hotels that I have stayed in (im in the hotel business so I travel alot).. if i could park a bus or not.. and only one said no.. the rest said yes if its not too long.. when i showed them a pic of mine they said oh sure.. we just cant park those Massive Long busses like rock bands use.. im not sure what the difference in length between an RE 14 row skoolie and a big prevost or Vanhool coach is. skoolie 40 feet? coach 45 feet?

-Christopher

[aaronsb]

Part of the plan is no more holiday inns. And yes, the electrical system on the bus will support a waffle maker.

I don't know how many people really consider how big these vehicles are? I'm pretty used to driving the longer rolling stock so it's not really too much worry for me.

But I see a lot of folks that just take off down the highway without really inspecting all the bits they have on their vehicle, and almost immediately run into mechanical issues. The logistics for dealing with that when it's 40' long and 30,000 lbs become daunting.

Originally Posted by Robin97396

Yeah, that was the favorite item of my Xs. It is amazing how much a waffle can cost when you only use the waffle machine a couple times a year.

There's so many people that chose a long bus like yours as their first bus. I've only had one 40 footer and it was a pain for driving and parking in town. But then I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn.

[cadillackid]

with that bus you are building you will be much more comfortable than any holiday inn express!!

[aaronsb]

So uh, for your own personal amusment, an RV is unregulated so it can be as LONG AS YOU WANT!


Recreational vehicles are not CMVs subject to Federal size regulations

Originally Posted by cadillackid

I like the Pancake Printer that some of the courtyards have... just push a button and a pancake pops out!..

I cant imagine parking a 14 row RE in some of the hotel parking lots I park in.. for the last couple weeks ive asked hotels that I have stayed in (im in the hotel business so I travel alot).. if i could park a bus or not.. and only one said no.. the rest said yes if its not too long.. when i showed them a pic of mine they said oh sure.. we just cant park those Massive Long busses like rock bands use.. im not sure what the difference in length between an RE 14 row skoolie and a big prevost or Vanhool coach is. skoolie 40 feet? coach 45 feet?

-Christopher

[Robin97396]

Have you heard of the vehicle length limits for crossing the border into Canada. I believe it's limited to 40'.

[aaronsb]

Looks like most provinces is 45' for the vehicle, and 68ish feet for a single trailer combination. (that varies more by province)

RVDA of Canada - Provincial RV Regulations

Originally Posted by Robin97396

Have you heard of the vehicle length limits for crossing the border into Canada. I believe it's limited to 40'.

[Robin97396]

That sounds more reasonable, especially with all the 40' buses around. That was something I heard on that Canadian tow truck show. Ice Highway or something. They purchased a new super wrecker and were afraid they wouldn't be able to cross back into Canada with it. I guess you can't believe those TV shows anymore. If ever.

[aaronsb]

Sticking some plywood where it needs to go. To be covered by birch ply, plastic, aluminum, or other.

The plywood gets a coat of urethane on both sides.

Metal framing makes all of this so easy. Self drilling lath screws are perfect. The gap between is filled with wires, plumbing, nothing, or sound deadening material.

[M1031A1]

It's just AMAZING seeing all that hard work coming together!

[aaronsb]

So if you recognize what movie scene this is, you'll know how I felt tonight about my entry steps.


I am now working on the entry and the kneeboard/barrier/thing that keeps passengers up front from falling into the stairwell and also something to bolt the handrail onto.

Since I've had the bus I have left the original vinyl step covering on the treads. Well, time to fix that.

I thought I'd get back to the project roots and show some rust removal.

First step was to unscrew most of the screws holding the vinyl down, then grind the rest off. (Hey there's that burning pine-sol smell when grinding, ah memories...)

Next was ripping up the vinyl up, then these terrible tin tread covers/rust traps.

Thus behold the rusty glory:



I don the full face respirator and hearing protectors, and needle scale the rust and old adhesive to this:



Follow up with a flap disc to remove more rust to this:



Then phosphoric rust converter attempt 1 and 2 get it better, but the pits are really deep still.

So, wire wheel, DA sander, and a belt sander again. An application of rust Mort later gets me this:



Clean up with some lacquer thinner, and let everything chill for the night. I'll spray a decent 2k epoxy on the floor (no more galvanized metal there...)

After that, I'm undecided on the final look other than a big rubber floor mat for catching dirt. Maybe some grip strips on the tread...