Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 04-04-2005, 01:16 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Chfsfn2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 39
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Ward
Engine: 5.9L Cummins Diesel
Building a deck

We're in the planning stages for building the deck on top of our bus. The deck will mostly be used as storage for our bikes during RAGBRAI. We plan to build the deck the length & width of the bus (approx. 32' x 8'), a ladder on back and possibly a lower deck off the back of the bus.

We're planning to use 1/8" thick, 1.5" steel tubing to construct the deck and railings, and use 1/2" treated plywood as the flooring. The railings will be 32" high and possibly with fold-down, but they may be fixed.

We're currently debating how to anchor the deck - run the deck supports vertically approximately every 3rd window, or to run a tube the length of the bus, above the windows, and use that to build from. Both methods would require bolts through the tubing and support bows. Any pros or cons to one or the other?

I've seen several buses that seem to have the deck supports welded to the top of the bus with no bolts. Is the 'skin' of the bus thick enough to weld to? If so, how would you go about welding a footing to the top securely, given that its curved? If we could go with that method, might save a fair amount of materials.

Will we need to be concerned with overall bus height with the railings 32" above the top of the bus?

Any advice is sincerely appreciated! We're looking to do this the best, easiest, cheapest and lightest way possible.

Thanks!

__________________
See my bus here
Chfsfn2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2005, 03:46 PM   #2
Bus Nut
 
SeanF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 524
Year: 1993
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: IHC
Engine: Dt360
Rated Cap: 19
We're in the throws of adding a roof deck to our bus.
1" steel pipe supports along the sides, 4"x4" cross members and a Trex walking surface.

Gory details here:
http://www.schoolbushomestead.com

Look under Conversion/April 2nd & 3rd. Total cost will be just under $2k.

Any Qs, just ask here (no contact info on the site).

Sean
__________________
Bus conversion/info here
SeanF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2005, 06:34 PM   #3
Skoolie
 
Firearm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Duluth, MN
Posts: 243
Send a message via ICQ to Firearm Send a message via AIM to Firearm
Under "disadvantages" you forgot insurance. Otherwise, excellent sight and you've done a great job of documenting the progress in pictures. Well done!
Firearm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2005, 11:42 AM   #4
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Plymouth MA
Posts: 197
If you're using treated ply, look out that the new ACQ treated PT, including the PT ply, is amazingly corrosive! I recommend you use double-hot-dipped galvy fasteners, or Stainless Steel ones, INCLUDING the angle brackets, etc.

Sometimes you can get by using a plastic spacer(s) between the wood and metal, heavy plastic sheet might be usable. Good attention to detail will halt galvanic action.

Good luck, and let us know how the asembly/wear is holding up!
__________________
The tool storage is nice, but where do I put the bed?
Ryan Grimm is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Building my own wvo tank ZombieCrow Alternative Fuels | Electric, Propane, Wood & Biofuels 12 07-08-2010 11:48 AM
New guy, building a 1992 TC2000 adamsstreetauto Skoolie Conversion Projects 17 03-24-2010 09:26 AM
Building Sun deck/roof patio, looking for pics/ideas JonCBrand Conversion General Discussions 9 11-08-2009 02:18 PM
Building a roof rack kjm Everything Else | General Skoolie Discussions 1 12-13-2008 09:29 PM
Building Luna KC10Chief Skoolie Conversion Projects 5 12-22-2007 01:27 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:44 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.