Awning/Roll top tarp?

[Versatile]

Hello, Has anyone converted a Roll Top Tarp for a grain bed? All lengths are available either by crank or electric.

[Dapplecreek]

One of these?

I should think it would be a dandy addition to keep the roof cool, aside from having one for the lawn chairs.

[Josiahdr]

I would be interested in seeing that in action on a bus.

[Robin97396]

I think somebody should convert that dump truck.

My insurance lady was explaining to me that some guy had licensed his dump truck with car plates, but she wouldn't insure his dump truck for private use. This was used as an explanation of why buses need commercial policies. That's apples and oranges in comparison.

[Versatile]

I meant the long ones.


Trailer Tarp System | Grain Trailer Roll Tarps | SRT-2

[Robin97396]

You'd have to have an additional frame work above the skin of your bus to hold up the tarp to allow air to flow for heat to escape. Or you could cover your roof with solar panels and just enjoy that shade instead of spending money on another tarp.

I agree with CB, tarps don't hold up. I'd like to figure out a light weight deck that would provide shade and/or snow shielding. An extra tin roof?

[Tango]

Square aluminum tube frame with lightweight aluminum diamond plate for deck.

[Robin97396]

That would work. A light weight deck like that would be excellent at reflecting heat. That sounds like a pretty simple fab job on a bus 8' wide. That's six or seven 4'x8' sheets, and I bet that would be a big help in the hotter areas. There are times when a deck up high is nice for a lawn chair, like at parades so you can see over the crowd or when it's muddy and the bus is stuck. So I think I'll put a 26' luggage rack on the top of my bus and deck it with aluminum diamond plate.

[Arvik]

i have put some thought into this shade idea. tossed around getting a dozen of super strong earth magnets and rolling reflectix over the roof and magnet it down. not for travel only for at the stand still. you could lap it like shingle style and beat all the leaks too.
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...btcotGfbD7M%3A


or maybe just aluminum foiland duct tape!

[Robin97396]

I'm going for the aluminum foil helmet, on the bus.

[Versatile]

Originally Posted by Robin97396

You'd have to have an additional frame work above the skin of your bus to hold up the tarp to allow air to flow for heat to escape. Or you could cover your roof with solar panels and just enjoy that shade instead of spending money on another tarp.

I agree with CB, tarps don't hold up. I'd like to figure out a light weight deck that would provide shade and/or snow shielding. An extra tin roof?

I didn't explain it very good I am saying why not move the rolled up tarp position and use it as an awning to sit under. On the grain trucks the Roll Up Tarp is on the left side of the grain bed. Why not move it over to the right side of the bus so you can roll it out and build awning supports to mount on the side of the bus just like regular RV s have. Should be able to shorten it. They also have electric ones as well.

[Robin97396]

That sounds like an awning that could survive heavy hail damage. Unless you've got a dump truck you can borrow one of those off of, I'm guessing they cost more than an RV awning. Very adaptable if you can get one.
I certainly understand the need for some shade. So far I just use a surplus parachute and ropes.

[Versatile]

Large truck scrap yard. I have heard of $350.00 prices. You could make it as wide as you want. Some are about 25-30 ft long on a trailer.

[Alan N]

The tarp from a grain trailer would work but it would be heavy and you would still have to build/find supports for the ends.
Interesting idea however. We replace several such tarps every year where I work. I'll have to grab the next one that gets scraped. Just in case.
If you make it work please let us know. Ingenuity and imagination are what bus converting is about.

[Versatile]

Originally Posted by Alan N

The tarp from a grain trailer would work but it would be heavy and you would still have to build/find supports for the ends.
Interesting idea however. We replace several such tarps every year where I work. I'll have to grab the next one that gets scraped. Just in case.
If you make it work please let us know. Ingenuity and imagination are what bus converting is about.

I don't have the shop or skills.