Roof deck

[ism minerals]

Has anyone welded to the top of the roof ridges rails for a roof deck support, on the Thomas it kind of like a rub rail?

This would be for a small roof deck/ walkway.

I do not want to drill holes into the roof or raise the height of the bus too much.

[EastCoastCB]

I don't think I'd weld there, as much as I do prefer welds when working with metal.
I'd drill into the ribs and use good fasteners. There are already hundreds of holes in the roof of a bus, what's a few more going to hurt if properly sealed?
Gotta break a few eggs sometimes.

[nat_ster]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I don't think I'd weld there, as much as I do prefer welds when working with metal.
I'd drill into the ribs and use good fasteners. There are already hundreds of holes in the roof of a bus, what's a few more going to hurt if properly sealed?
Gotta break a few eggs sometimes.

I agree with this.

#14 self tapping screws with a 3/8 bolt head work great.

For reference, they are around the same size as a 1/4 bolts drilled through the outside flange of the ribs. There will already be rivets there, just drill a few out, clean the holes, and insert the bolts.

If the interior is out of the bus, I would use 1/4 inch bolts.

Nat