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Old 12-30-2013, 10:15 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Ceiling Rib Strength

I was curious.. How many of us have attached things to the ceiling?

I've got some ideas floating around in my strange little head , and I wanna know yall's experience with what the max weight the ribs in the ceiling can with stand..

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Old 12-31-2013, 07:11 PM   #2
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Re: Ceiling Rib Strength

They are a 11 gauge, press formed, then roll formed arch. Arches are some of the strongest structures on earth.

As long as the rib is still riveted into the bus structure, it can easily take 500 pounds. If the inner skin is still on the ceiling, it will be even stronger.

Some folks remove every second rib at the window openings to make room for larger windows. I have even seen a few right from Blue Bird done this way.

Depending what you have in mind, the method of mounting may become the weak link. Please share what you have in mind. We will do our best to point you in the right direction.

Nat
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Old 12-31-2013, 09:15 PM   #3
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Re: Ceiling Rib Strength

I'm thinking of a hanging bed.. Like a queen size mattress on a flat piece of plywood with 2x4s or maybe 4x4s for extra support, and a thick rope tied to each corner. The pulleys would be attached to the ribs in the ceiling and the ropes would run through these pulleys to raise and lower the bed platform.

I don't know what the best way to attach the pulleys to the ceiling

Or how I would rig it so I could pull only one rope and the platform would raise level,

then anchor it to a cleat (like a boat would tie to at a dock)


Kinda like this...
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Old 12-31-2013, 09:16 PM   #4
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Re: Ceiling Rib Strength

..then I can still use the back door
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Old 12-31-2013, 09:47 PM   #5
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Re: Ceiling Rib Strength

Nice idea.

When you pull the wiring chase from above the windows, there are a bunch of bolts around 1|2 inch. They run horizontally, and are located in the strongest spot on the inside of the roof, right where the strait sides meet the curved top. I would use them as your anchor points.

I would use formed steel, riveted together for your bed frame if you can. It will be much lighter, and stronger than wood. Formed steel is sheered and bent using a brake. Same or more strength than chanal and angle iron you can buy, with only 25% to 50% of the weight. One other member built all his inside walls, counters, cupboards, ect this way.

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Old 01-01-2014, 07:29 AM   #6
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Re: Ceiling Rib Strength

I've got one of those in my trailer. I just fastened the pulleys to the ribs with sheet metal screws. The ribs on that trailer are no where near as strong as the ones in our buses. It's a single bunk made of plywood.
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Old 01-01-2014, 09:23 AM   #7
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Re: Ceiling Rib Strength

I guess I should have asked if the pulleys will be holding the body weight of a person, or just the bed? Does it drop down onto legs when in the sleeping position?

I had visions of the weight of two people having the ultimate workout together on that bed.

Nat
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Old 01-01-2014, 10:22 AM   #8
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Re: Ceiling Rib Strength

I plan on having it rest on some supports, just like the picture. And only having the blankets and pillows on the bed while its up.

Also when it's in the raised position I want it to fit snug into the ceiling to where the bottom of the platform it flush with where the wiring chase is.
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