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Old 03-18-2016, 12:45 PM   #1
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Roof Top Deck ?'s

Trying to figure out how I want to accomplish the roof top deck. I have been searching the forum and have tried to get some ideas.

The plan is to do something like:



Amazing Bus Conversion – Part 2 – Roof Deck

Conversion Log: 2005 - SeanF

Is this the best option for a non-welded deck?

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Old 03-18-2016, 12:49 PM   #2
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Man...that seems to be a lot of unnecessary weight way up high. Aluminum or even properly engineered steel would weigh less than what I see there.
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Old 03-18-2016, 12:55 PM   #3
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Ya I do not think I will be going with the same materials. But this would be the overall design I was thinking.

Main problem is I have never welded before and do not know anyone with one other than to pay to have it done. Which is still a possibility if I cannot figure out a defective diy route.
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Old 03-18-2016, 01:05 PM   #4
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Mounting pads for a roof deck can also be screwed or riveted through the skin and directly into the ribs for a very secure installation. You just have to make sure and seal all the holes very well with a permanent type sealant.
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Old 03-18-2016, 01:09 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Tango View Post
Mounting pads for a roof deck can also be screwed or riveted through the skin and directly into the ribs for a very secure installation. You just have to make sure and seal all the holes very well with a permanent type sealant.

Mounting pads??? Do you have a link?
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Old 03-18-2016, 01:31 PM   #6
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I'll be the first to admit I'm not a engineer so I may just be blowing smoke out my arse but my question is, Wouldn't it be better to mount the pads as low as possible on the sides? Even tho the deck is on top of the bus would more of the weight & center of gravity actually be lower??
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Old 03-18-2016, 01:54 PM   #7
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When I said "mounting pads", I was referring to any kind of home-made bracket that the rest of the deck could be then attached to. Either steel or aluminum, bolted or welded. As long as those components are secured to the ribs, the rest of the deck will be solid too.

And as for mounting anything lower, you just wind up with a wider vehicle that has more hanging out in the wind and more weight overall.

IMHO...the deck and mounting system need to be well engineered and as light as possible to fulfill whatever task is assigned. Example: if all that will ever go up there are a couple of solar panels or an occasional plastic kayak...you can get away with a very lightweight structure. If you host roof-top NASCAR parties for 50 to 60 alcoholic friends and the associated coolers and dancing...well, that's a whole' nuther story and whole different design.

Decide how you expect to use it most and engineer it to it's primary task.
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Old 03-18-2016, 02:08 PM   #8
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Bingo, Tango.

I'd like a light weight deck on top too, but there just isn't much room left after I put the hot tub up there.
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Old 03-18-2016, 02:30 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stu & Filo. T View Post
I'll be the first to admit I'm not a engineer so I may just be blowing smoke out my arse but my question is, Wouldn't it be better to mount the pads as low as possible on the sides? Even tho the deck is on top of the bus would more of the weight & center of gravity actually be lower??
Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. The weight is still up just as high and is only using the longer supports to replace the body of the bus as the "lever" the weight uses to try to tip the bus over in a turn.
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Old 03-18-2016, 02:31 PM   #10
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Hi there, so I have a rooftop deck on my bus. I did not install it, but if I were to get a new bus I would feel pretty comfortable installing another deck in a similar manner. It is bolted down, I am at work so I can't get you the best pictures but these kind of show it. It has 3 (thick maybe 3/4"-1")bolts on each side in accordance to the deck frame. The deck frame is composed mostly of unistrut. If you want more pictures I can try and snap a few when I get home, but it will be dark. The deck itself looks like there was some welding involved but didn't seem entirely necessary.

If it helps at all, I've had as many as 12 people up there all with more a handful of beers in most of them. Even then, the deck felt very secure.




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Old 03-18-2016, 02:36 PM   #11
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Is it true that there are fewer mosquitos when you're up that high?
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Old 03-18-2016, 03:04 PM   #12
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I'll get back to you on that.
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Old 03-18-2016, 04:30 PM   #13
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Is it true that there are fewer mosquitos when you're up that high?

Ya..that funny smoke makes them too distracted to bite. But...don't be around when they get the munchies.
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Old 03-18-2016, 04:55 PM   #14
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Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. The weight is still up just as high and is only using the longer supports to replace the body of the bus as the "lever" the weight uses to try to tip the bus over in a turn.
Thanks But I wouldn't say it's unfortunate I was just wondering.
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Old 03-19-2016, 09:55 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango View Post
When I said "mounting pads", I was referring to any kind of home-made bracket that the rest of the deck could be then attached to. Either steel or aluminum, bolted or welded. As long as those components are secured to the ribs, the rest of the deck will be solid too.

And as for mounting anything lower, you just wind up with a wider vehicle that has more hanging out in the wind and more weight overall.

IMHO...the deck and mounting system need to be well engineered and as light as possible to fulfill whatever task is assigned. Example: if all that will ever go up there are a couple of solar panels or an occasional plastic kayak...you can get away with a very lightweight structure. If you host roof-top NASCAR parties for 50 to 60 alcoholic friends and the associated coolers and dancing...well, that's a whole' nuther story and whole different design.

Decide how you expect to use it most and engineer it to it's primary task.
Got ya. Thanks for the clarification. Ya it will really be just for the 2 of us to go up and hang out on as well as storage.

Thanks for the tips starting to look @ unistrut rooftop walkway looking at other options as well. Will keep you guys updated.
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Old 03-19-2016, 10:52 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Josiahdr View Post
Trying to figure out how I want to accomplish the roof top deck. I have been searching the forum and have tried to get some ideas.

The plan is to do something like:



Amazing Bus Conversion – Part 2 – Roof Deck

Conversion Log: 2005 - SeanF

Is this the best option for a non-welded deck?

That's a member on skoolie.net. I don't know if he is still active. I believe he sold that bus. You can probably go through hi s threads and find more info.
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Old 03-19-2016, 11:00 AM   #17
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Sorry to be the voice of doom but this is exactly the reason we can't regular insurance on our buses. If you brought your Honda Civic down to the insurance agent to get insurance and had a roof deck on it, you wouldn't get insurance either.
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Old 07-26-2019, 08:50 PM   #18
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What did you end up doing for your deck?

Looking to build a deck and wondered what you ended up doing?



Quote:
Originally Posted by Josiahdr View Post
Got ya. Thanks for the clarification. Ya it will really be just for the 2 of us to go up and hang out on as well as storage.

Thanks for the tips starting to look @ unistrut rooftop walkway looking at other options as well. Will keep you guys updated.
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Old 07-26-2019, 08:59 PM   #19
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I’ve talked to National General/Good Sam. They say no rooftop decks or cargo racks. Who is insuring your bus if you have a deck?
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Old 07-26-2019, 09:14 PM   #20
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Seconded!
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