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Old 08-30-2020, 06:05 PM   #1
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Thomas roof raise

I have a 2006 Thomas built bus and im looking to do a roof raise. ive heard its difficult with thomas busses due to slanted hat channels. im looking for advice on how to over come this issue. anyone out there tackled a thomas roof raise?

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Old 09-02-2020, 04:38 PM   #2
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Yes I’ve done it, it must be somewhat more challenging than a completely flat sided bus but I’ve never done one of those so I can’t say how much worse it would be? I tend to think if you have the skills to form the transitions properly and make them look good the small angle of the walls would be easy For you to compensate for.
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Old 09-02-2020, 04:44 PM   #3
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Best to start the raise below the windows, instead of in the middle of the windows. This will require removing more of the side material that normally would not be removed during a raise on another brand bus.
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Old 09-09-2020, 12:18 PM   #4
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I raised my thomas roof, first and only raise, it turned out great. The angles are a slight consideration but easily overcome.
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Old 09-10-2020, 07:08 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NovaTRON View Post
I raised my thomas roof, first and only raise, it turned out great. The angles are a slight consideration but easily overcome.
did you raise below the windows? or above. can i see some pics?
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Old 09-10-2020, 10:00 AM   #6
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Similarly timed...related thread.

https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f13/t...ise-20894.html
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Old 09-10-2020, 10:57 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigbadbus View Post
did you raise below the windows? or above. can i see some pics?
I would never raise below the windows, unless I wanted to keep the original bus windows, which I never would. (I also wish it were easier to upload photos on this forum like it is on most social media platforms... What do people use here to host photos- photobucket?)
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Old 09-10-2020, 11:21 AM   #8
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Old 09-10-2020, 11:21 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NovaTRON View Post
I raised my thomas roof, first and only raise, it turned out great. The angles are a slight consideration but easily overcome.
How are they overcome, and, why not raise under the angles/windows?
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Old 09-10-2020, 11:34 AM   #10
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How are they overcome, and, why not raise under the angles/windows?
Overcome? I clamped one end of the hat channel together then flexxed the other end in using more clamps, until the area was bridged across then I welded it together. Was not difficult at all.

Personally i would not raise under the windows unless i planned to keep the windows. Doing so i was able to install 36" tall windows without having to cut into the side rails AND i like the look better with what I achieved doing the raise on the upper section.
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Old 09-10-2020, 02:04 PM   #11
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Nice look you have there.
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Old 09-10-2020, 04:17 PM   #12
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Overcome? I clamped one end of the hat channel together then flexxed the other end in using more clamps, until the area was bridged across then I welded it together. Was not difficult at all.
I calculated this on another thread, but it appears that if you do a 1' raise on a Thomas in the way you describe, the angle of the wall would be changed less than one degree (from 6° to 5.15°, or 84° to 84.85° rather). Seems like there would be more than enough flex in the wall base and the ceiling to accommodate that with no problem.
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Old 09-11-2020, 01:18 AM   #13
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I calculated this on another thread, but it appears that if you do a 1' raise on a Thomas in the way you describe, the angle of the wall would be changed less than one degree (from 6° to 5.15°, or 84° to 84.85° rather). Seems like there would be more than enough flex in the wall base and the ceiling to accommodate that with no problem.
The hat channels are easily flexed into where they need go.
If you were to cut at the same spot on each hat channel it would be easier to get all your hat channels more consistent, where as i made it more difficult by staggering the cuts high- low- high - low, w/ the intention of making the raise more structurally sound( by eliminating a shear-line/ in case of a wreck ).
Even if your a hat channel gets a little "wiggly" on you, the sheets still can turn out great. My channels weren't all perfect but the sheets turned out. i bridged one w/ a bit of sheet metal to fill on a gap i had going .
I'd also suggest using 18 gauge (galvanealed) sheets. 20 gauge will be harder not to crinkle your walls like some jiffy pop stove top popper.

Here's a couple more photo of my raise



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Old 09-11-2020, 01:34 AM   #14
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As long as you are taking out all of the windows, the slate is clean. Most all raises are cut at the windows, which assumes the windows are to be deleted anyway.
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Old 09-11-2020, 09:56 AM   #15
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who's the source for new hat channels? Someone mentioned it and I lost my notes.
Thanks!

By the way, Your paint looks really nice Nova.
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Old 09-11-2020, 11:56 AM   #16
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Quote:
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who's the source for new hat channels? Someone mentioned it and I lost my notes.
Thanks!

By the way, Your paint looks really nice Nova.
I have hat channel kits for an International. No one told me the measurements for a BB or a Thomas to see if they are similar.
Shipping to you might be a deal breaker.

https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f14/h...ale-29000.html
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Old 09-11-2020, 12:38 PM   #17
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I bought my hat channel extenders from Colorado Custom Coach.

Thanks! I just painted, still finishing trim..
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bus'n it View Post
who's the source for new hat channels? Someone mentioned it and I lost my notes.
Thanks!

By the way, Your paint looks really nice Nova.
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Old 09-11-2020, 03:48 PM   #18
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The place where you purchase your sheetmetal most likely have a fabrication shop as well and can make them for you.
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Old 09-12-2020, 05:49 PM   #19
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I did my roof raise at the windows also. I put the hat channel on basically the same way with clamps but I bolted instead of welding. The only things I had a hard time with was the 2 rear main supports on the corners. And attaching the Rv doors. Because of the angle I bolted in a piece of rectangle iron to the door jamb so I’d have something straight to screw the doors on to.
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Old 09-16-2020, 10:08 PM   #20
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roof raise

I did my first roof raise on my 2005 Thomas. The most challenging part was the rear transition because we kept the rear a/c. I think it turned out great. ditched the original windows.
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