New take in raised roof.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Johndbain@aol.com

I did it with a Thomas school bus which is up for sale

Pics?
And who's insuring it?
thanks

[mdemar1978]

My idea is to cut it 3 ft 6 below the roof. I'm hoping its below the window's. Otherwise I will be in a junkyard with a tape measure lol

[BlackJohn]

Originally Posted by Rusty

That would be unique!

Fiberglass is pretty heavy, or is it it just the bow? I never cut-a boat up before.

I got you covered, bro. Just made this in Photoshop.

Attachment 15333

Very nice Rusty, ty for the illustration. Actually my bus is the conventional front end. I would slide that ahead on it so the front of the bow is roughly covering the hood and as far forward as the front bumper.
I think a skilsaw or grinder would cut through what I need like butter. Then I may need a crane to set it up there for marking and final install. Shouldn't be to heavy, more awkward than anything.
Actually that pic of yours is quite similar to the boat I have in mind except it will be closed in on the back with a bimini cover in a stainless frame. Have to keep it as low as possible too which might be challenging inside. Lots to think about before I lay out the hole needed in the roof.
Thanks again for your input Rusty, can't wait to finally get it on the water, ..er, the road.

John

[mdemar1978]

Here is my inspiration. If anyone has ideas how to make a rounded back I'm all ears. Called on a b59 cockpit, but $20k seemed excesive lol.

[Johndbain@aol.com]

State Farm. Once restroom is in and seats are removed it's an RV down here

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by BlackJohn

I would slide that ahead on it so the front of the bow is roughly covering the hood and as far forward as the front bumper.


John

I had it slid-back to put the added weight over the rear tire. It does look cooler up-front.

I apologize for the thread hi-jack

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by mdemar1978

Here is my inspiration. If anyone has ideas how to make a rounded back I'm all ears. Called on a b59 cockpit, but $20k seemed excesive lol.

Looks like your best bet would be use a Crown for it's rounded rear. I never owned one, but I hear they are built OK.

[cadillackid]

a bus with a boat on top would be BAD A**!!!!! what a cool look.. I like it back a little farther from the outside.. but yeah that is a MUCH cooler look than a half a suburban on top!!!
-Christopher

[mdemar1978]

Well this is in our idea book. I disregared it since I would think youd have cooling isssues. Not to mention tryi g to find any campground to let you in. This screams In an hour we will be drunk and naked lol.

[Rusty]

check out

check out 2

Hood would be light weight fiberglass over tube steel skeleton frame?

That looks doable. Great sketch.

get a pusher- rear-engine, radiator in back. opps, dognose in your pic.


like this:

[ol trunt]

Exactly! I'd go with the last one Time to stop daydreaming and start cutting I'd say. Oh, and as Tango would say, we need pictures etc. Jack

[BlackJohn]

Originally Posted by Rusty

I had it slid-back to put the added weight over the rear tire. It does look cooler up-front.

I apologize for the thread hi-jack

Attachment 15339


Attachment 15340

Looks like I may need a longer vessel according to this illustration. That radar wing doesn't work for me either. More of a closed-in Suburban looking stern on the busboat, lol. Maybe tango can fab up a paddlewheel too!
The bow over the hood like a visor works and could be fitted out to close in the whole front end from the elements.
Ohh my wheels are spinninn now...

John

[CaptSquid]

Originally Posted by Rusty

That would be unique!

Fiberglass is pretty heavy, or is it it just the bow? I never cut-a boat up before.

I got you covered, bro. Just made this in Photoshop.

Attachment 15333

Nice! I'd go for something like that.

[BlackJohn]

Indeed, sorry for the thread hijack as well. Think I might just buy a bus and take it down to the frame and fit my boat on it. With any luck I will have a dual purpose cockpit. Might need dual or triple axle at 17 tons of steel with 360 more diesel horsepower
Maybe I should just buy a barge and drive the bus on. Use the engine to run a paddlewheel and stay off the hwys and clearance issues due to height. Today my mind is running completely away from the conversion at hand.
Time for a cold one...

John

[jazty]

My mind has reeled before about a bus barge, too! My idea was to set it up so the bus can drive onto a c-channel track with dips (or humps) right where the rear wheels should be. With the wheels in a dip it shouldn't be difficult to strap them down with heavy duty straps. The kind you see on flat bed semi trailers.

The front wheels could land on platforms that pivot along the same geometry as the wheels. Connect that system to a rudder.

The next hurtle is locomotion. I figure a prop could be fitted to the barge with a shaft that runs under the bus. Drop the shaft from the rear differential, connect it to the prop shaft and you're cruising!

Of course, the barge would need a few more things to fully finish it. Astro turf everywhere. Kitschy lawn decorations are a must. Maybe a few plastic pink flamingos and pin wheels? Perhaps a mini golf course?

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by jazty

my mind has reeled before about a bus barge...

[mmoore6856]

dont forget legal size limits or you will get fined. 13'6" is the limit without oversize permits for every state you enter. some secondary roads have less limits than primary and interstate routes. remember in towns trees, cable tv and power lines are a issue also. trees will scratch up your paint. talk to a home moving driver he can tell you horror stories on this. lots of different ways here some were right and some were wrong for me but all of them gives us what we really need IDEAS!!!

[mmoore6856]

looking at the floating ones reminded me of a idea take a old barge and convert it to a portable campground that you could park on then go on a cruise down the river

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by mmoore6856

dont forget legal size limits or you will get fined. 13'6" is the limit without oversize permits for every state you enter. some secondary roads have less limits than primary and interstate routes. remember in towns trees, cable tv and power lines are a issue also. trees will scratch up your paint. talk to a home moving driver he can tell you horror stories on this. lots of different ways here some were right and some were wrong for me but all of them gives us what we really need IDEAS!!!

THIS^^
I've seen "tiny" houses for sale that no one wants because they were built 14' tall or even more. Such a hassle to move, its silly. I've also been seeing buses with outlandish HUGE roof raises for sale these days.
I know my STOCK shorty has clearance problems getting through town and my neighborhood. Low hanging cable, trees, etc. A couple of our overpasses are under 12'6 too.
Fist time some HUGe bus flips over on the interstate its gonna make the news and increase the scrutiny we already receive for doing these conversions.
All this is why I listened to MY inner voice when doing the raise and stopped at 10". Its more than enough extra headroom without needing any special permits or planning, and it looks sorta stock-ish.

[cadillackid]

definitely on wires and branches.. branches will thrash the roof of a bus in no time. that issue exists HUGE up here in ohio and in the northeast where people like their "quaint tree lined streets" even in town.. on state routes they are usuyally trimmed or semis take the branches down. but if you plan on driving in any small towns off the main drag be ready for issues when you get taller than 11.5 feet or so.. even my short red bus and my 11 foot tall DEV bus snag branches if im not careful..
-Christopher