2007 Bluebird All American 16"Roof Raise

[Diezel16Fuel16]

Hello Im just getting into this build i have the interior mostly demod and removed the ac units front and rear and tons of wiring. i plan to add solar and have as many solar panels as i can fit I bought the bus from AAA Bus in Pheonix, Arizona drove it 1900 miles home. I am not very far into it yet im removing most of the wiring in the bus and all the panels inside, floor etc I plan to use galvanneal sheets for the walls and i have 8 Identical rv windows i got for $65 each, new old stock. Madison Center Wholesale in Adrian, Michigan has thousands of new old stock windows and rv doors etc

[Diezel16Fuel16]

My goal is to raise the roof by September 15th

[ewo1]

Originally Posted by Diezel16Fuel16

Hello Im just getting into this build i have the interior mostly demod and removed the ac units front and rear and tons of wiring.

Removing a/c units, you will regret that later on down the road.... I drove one bus from South Florida to Texas, and boy was it miserable!

Does your bus start and go into gear after all the wire cutting/removal?

And if your planning a roof raise I would highly recommend you get insurance FIRST as your sources for insurance later will not be as good !

I know, I have a roof raised bus too!

[DeMac]

Originally Posted by Diezel16Fuel16

My goal is to raise the roof by September 15th

Welcome to the fun Diesel. You are amongst friends. The most helpful community you'll find in the skoolie life. There's thousands of years of experience at Skoolie.net. Stay engaged, post often, read the old threads. We love photos!


September is soon. Try not to be in a rush.

Why the short timelines and how did you estimate the roof raise manhours?

Please heed Ewo1's warning. Hold on to the every A/C component. You will thank yourself later, right after you flog yourself for removing them in the first place.

Tell us more about your long term plans and goal with the bus. Toy hauler, RV, tiny home...

[Diezel16Fuel16]

Originally Posted by ewo1

Removing a/c units, you will regret that later on down the road.... I drove one bus from South Florida to Texas, and boy was it miserable!

Does your bus start and go into gear after all the wire cutting/removal?

And if your planning a roof raise I would highly recommend you get insurance FIRST as your sources for insurance later will not be as good !

I know, I have a roof raised bus too!

Yea I might hahaha I'm pretty committed now cut a couple of the hoses and have everything removed. I am planning to put a solar powered multi zone mini split and insulate well. I could probably remount one to the front I haven't thrown anything away but I planned to put the mini split front and rear. I haven't tried to start it, it's possible it won't but hopefully it does lol I will find out today I have been thinking about that. Definitely going to look into getting it insured, my plans have changed I was going to try to get the roof raise done before I move but I think I'm going to wait to make the cut until after I move. There's still plenty more I can do. I plan to rewire the brake and turn signals with trailer wire. I have watched alot of chuck cassidy's videos on youtube. That is where I got most the ideas for the build. I have been watching a ton of youtube videos. Thank you for the advice

[Diezel16Fuel16]

Originally Posted by DeMac

Welcome to the fun Diesel. You are amongst friends. The most helpful community you'll find in the skoolie life. There's thousands of years of experience at Skoolie.net. Stay engaged, post often, read the old threads. We love photos!


September is soon. Try not to be in a rush.

Why the short timelines and how did you estimate the roof raise manhours?

Please heed Ewo1's warning. Hold on to the every A/C component. You will thank yourself later, right after you flog yourself for removing them in the first place.

Tell us more about your long term plans and goal with the bus. Toy hauler, RV, tiny home...

Thank you ahahah I have decided to wait until after I move to make the cut on my roof. I don't want to be in the middle of it and have to move it, better safe than sorry. Long term I plan to live in it for a few years, I am buying some land and going to build a house and pole barn while living in the bus. I will also do some travelling but not alot, at least for a while lol I'd say something along the lines of an RV/tiny home. Some of what I have planned for the build is residential appliances, dishwasher, washer/dryer, full size tub/shower combo, tall toilet with some leg room, 60-65gallon black tank, 100gallon grey, 100 gallon fresh with space to add an additional 100 gallon tank, queen size bed in the bedroom, nice big single basin kitchen sink, LVP flooring, trailer hitch. I will post some pics, I haven't quite worked out how to do that if I'm being honest lol

[DeMac]

Originally Posted by Diezel16Fuel16

Thank you ahahah I have decided to wait until after I move to make the cut on my roof. I don't want to be in the middle of it and have to move it, better safe than sorry. Long term I plan to live in it for a few years, I am buying some land and going to build a house and pole barn while living in the bus. I will also do some travelling but not alot, at least for a while lol I'd say something along the lines of an RV/tiny home. Some of what I have planned for the build is residential appliances, dishwasher, washer/dryer, full size tub/shower combo, tall toilet with some leg room, 60-65gallon black tank, 100gallon grey, 100 gallon fresh with space to add an additional 100 gallon tank, queen size bed in the bedroom, nice big single basin kitchen sink, LVP flooring, trailer hitch. I will post some pics, I haven't quite worked out how to do that if I'm being honest lol

-----------

I like your plan, but I bought my land a decade before I bought a bus.

You're not the only one with this idea. Other members of this site are doing, or have done, the same. Nitkis is clearing his land now. While, I'm several years ahead. We lived in our barn for seven years. Now it's a rental.

We may be able to provide insight to help you navigate your local building & zoning limits and land use permits.

[cadillackid]

I LOL when I think of cooling a bus with just a minisplit going down the road in 95 degree heat...


ever notice how those super fancy coach motorhomes built on prevost and Vanhool bus chassis conversions have 5 rooftop units? (15K BTU each).. plus an engine driven dash air??



takes a lot of BTU to cool a bus.. even more when you have a roof raise

[TaliaDPerkins]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

It takes a lot of BTU to cool a bus.. even more when you have a roof raise

If for some reason you don't insulate effectively, sure.

[Diezel16Fuel16]

Originally Posted by DeMac

-----------

I like your plan, but I bought my land a decade before I bought a bus.

You're not the only one with this idea. Other members of this site are doing, or have done, the same. Nitkis is clearing his land now. While, I'm several years ahead. We lived in our barn for seven years. Now it's a rental.

We may be able to provide insight to help you navigate your local building & zoning limits and land use permits.

Right on hahaha thats good to hear. I appreciate that

[Diezel16Fuel16]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

I LOL when I think of cooling a bus with just a minisplit going down the road in 95 degree heat...


ever notice how those super fancy coach motorhomes built on prevost and Vanhool bus chassis conversions have 5 rooftop units? (15K BTU each).. plus an engine driven dash air??



takes a lot of BTU to cool a bus.. even more when you have a roof raise

I don't doubt it takes alot especially on something like a prevost. Alot of them have full length slide outs or multiple. Slideouts probably almost double the sq footage. I will be parked 98% of the time but I really don't plan to be in 95 degree heat anytime soon if ever in the bus. I prefer colder states, I am in michigan ahahah. I haven't had ac in any of my vehicles in the last 10 years. I also live in an older 34ft fifth wheel with 3 slide outs and one rooftop ac currently. The ac does fantastic in 90 degree weather the few days a year it gets that warm I plan to insulate the bus much better than this old girl I plan to have 4 inches of extruded poly on the floor and 3.5-4inches of closed cell spray foam in the walls and ceiling. I have been eyeballing this minisplit. https://www.pioneerminisplit.com/pro...pr_seq=uniform

[Diezel16Fuel16]

I reconnected the batteries and it fires right up and goes into gear thats a relief ahahah

[ewo1]

Originally Posted by TaliaDPerkins

If for some reason you don't insulate effectively, sure.

Insulation for sure plays a big role but, a 1 ton mini split is what, 12k btu?
2 units - 24k btu.


Mini splits will need a/c power, Carrier CM-3 powered while your driving.


Just one Carrier cm-3 unit will push 80,000 BTU !
2 units with real good insulation - Ice Cold!!

Carrier CM-3 is what I got in my 2005 amtran.
Ironically, I have seen 3 a/c units in School busses here in Texas!

source -> https://www.coachbusparts.com/part_c...condensers.php

Mobile Climate Control - CM-3 CONDENSER
Part Number: 113136 (13136)
Mobile Climate Control�s CM-3 condenser is designed for both commercial and school bus air conditioning. Lower condensing temperatures and pressures allow for enhanced cooling, longer compressor life, and an overall more efficient system operation. Its unique design channels air away from the vehicle undercarriage, which eliminates recirculation of hot air.

Included Features:

• Micro channel all aluminum coil design for unmatched heat transfer
  
  Zink coated for added durability and corrosion protection
  
  Rugged coated steel construction
  
  Integrated high pressure safety switch as standard equipment
  
  Unitized motor/fan package increases service access and decreases service time
  
  80,000 BTU

[DeMac]

Originally Posted by ewo1

Insulation for sure plays a big role but, a 1 ton mini split is what, 12k btu?
2 units - 24k btu.


Mini splits will need a/c power, Carrier CM-3 powered while your driving.


Just one Carrier cm-3 unit will push 80,000 BTU !
2 units with real good insulation - Ice Cold!!

Carrier CM-3 is what I got in my 2005 amtran.
Ironically, I have seen 3 a/c units in School busses here in Texas!

source -> https://www.coachbusparts.com/part_c...condensers.php

------------

True that. 👍

I have two of those in my long bus, three interior units.160,000 btus and factory tint all around. Engineers used a formula to size the AC. Many builders have walked this path before you.

Please use the search feature to read their stories. Note the dates of their posts, learn from those who ignored our rants (ingor rants?). You can see thier education progress. If you start now, you may skip some of the learning curve.

Leave as l much in place, as you can stand to look at or build around. Save all of your AC parts, do this for future you, someday you'll be proud of yourself. Protect the lines from debris. Use rubber glove fingers & electrical tape.

Take a ton of photos. Again, for you. Store detailed info in your photo albulm. You can even write yourself notes in the photo-descriptions. You'll refer to these later.

[Kentucky Dreaming]

Originally Posted by DeMac

Please use the search feature to read their stories. Note the dates of their posts, learn from those who ignored our rants (ingor rants?). You can see thier education progress. If you start now, you may skip some of the learning curve.

Leave as l much in place, as you can stand to look at or build around. Save all of your AC parts, do this for future you, someday you'll be proud of yourself. Protect the lines from debris. Use rubber glove fingers & electrical tape.

Take a ton of photos. Again, for you. Store detailed info in your photo albulm. You can even write yourself notes in the photo-descriptions. You'll refer to these later.

Please listen to DeMac, Ewo1, and cadillackid when he chimes in. They know that of which they speaketh. Steel tube tents get hot in the sunshine. Love the ignor rants, Danny!

[Kentucky Dreaming]

Oops. I was away and missed Christopher's reply. I should probably go back to my corner.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by Diezel16Fuel16

I don't doubt it takes alot especially on something like a prevost. Alot of them have full length slide outs or multiple. Slideouts probably almost double the sq footage. I will be parked 98% of the time but I really don't plan to be in 95 degree heat anytime soon if ever in the bus. I prefer colder states, I am in michigan ahahah. I haven't had ac in any of my vehicles in the last 10 years. I also live in an older 34ft fifth wheel with 3 slide outs and one rooftop ac currently. The ac does fantastic in 90 degree weather the few days a year it gets that warm I plan to insulate the bus much better than this old girl I plan to have 4 inches of extruded poly on the floor and 3.5-4inches of closed cell spray foam in the walls and ceiling. I have been eyeballing this minisplit. https://www.pioneerminisplit.com/pro...pr_seq=uniform

your slides are closed driving down the road...



think of your bus driving 65-70 along the highway.. thats a 65-70 MPH wind being blasted at every crack, crevice, opening, etc.. a vacuum at the back of the bus and a big positive pressure at the front.. with a massively big windshield going into the sun... (something you cover when parked).. you are also in full sun.. no trees above your bus shading you... maybe a little relief if you have solar on the roof.. those Prevost coaches dont need those 5 rooftop units when parked... I drove one for 10 years back N forth to florida a few times a year.. at least one of those trips was always in summer.. and I was really glad to have those dash vents blowing cool air on me.. the rooftop unit back just a few feet did help but when the dash air busted once i lasted about 2 hours and we stopped at a truck repair placeand had it fixed.. the bus wasnt mine it belonged t oa couple friends of mine and was built by custom coach in columbus.. I saw it being put together along the way and there was definitely good insulation..


typically parked with the slides out in the daytime 2 of those rooftop units would run.. if we uncovered the windshield and driver front windows for extra natural light then we might turn on the front rooftop unit...



on a hot day going down the road all of them were on..



suit yourself its your bus and not mine.. im just saying that engine driven A/C is for the road.. electric A/C is for being parked.. theres also no guarantee your multi-zone minisplit is going to even run goping down the road.. not sure where you plan to put that large condenser.. the multizone units have a lot more piping inside the outdoor unit than the single zone, therefore they are taller..



most people have had good luck running single zone units on the road to at least lessen the heat., ive personally worked with someone who has a multizone unit that doesnt want to run going down the road.. goes into outdoor fan excessive current pull error. its mounted to the back of the bus with the fan pointed in a direction youd expect would work.. they got hold of me because im an official fujitsu contact... the pioneers may be more forgiving... I generally like the pioneer units overall...

[Diezel16Fuel16]

Originally Posted by DeMac

------------

True that. 👍

I have two of those in my long bus, three interior units.160,000 btus and factory tint all around. Engineers used a formula to size the AC. Many builders have walked this path before you.

Please use the search feature to read their stories. Note the dates of their posts, learn from those who ignored our rants (ingor rants?). You can see thier education progress. If you start now, you may skip some of the learning curve.

Leave as l much in place, as you can stand to look at or build around. Save all of your AC parts, do this for future you, someday you'll be proud of yourself. Protect the lines from debris. Use rubber glove fingers & electrical tape.

Take a ton of photos. Again, for you. Store detailed info in your photo albulm. You can even write yourself notes in the photo-descriptions. You'll refer to these later.

I'm not ignoring you fellars lol I saved the ac components I may put one back in however I have no intentions of being anywhere hot, I can't stand the heat. It rarely gets in the 80s here in the summer and that's plenty warm for me Ac isn't a big concern I'm more worried about heating in the winter. I removed two of those 80k btu units. Michigan buses have no Ac's in them at least none did when I was in school ahahah I'm sure I will survive. 36k btu (3ton) is good for 1500square feet that should be plenty parked in Michigan? I have been taking alot of photos notes in the description is a good idea. I am open to all suggestions and advice and I appreciate it all that's why I'm here

[Diezel16Fuel16]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

your slides are closed driving down the road...



think of your bus driving 65-70 along the highway.. thats a 65-70 MPH wind being blasted at every crack, crevice, opening, etc.. a vacuum at the back of the bus and a big positive pressure at the front.. with a massively big windshield going into the sun... (something you cover when parked).. you are also in full sun.. no trees above your bus shading you... maybe a little relief if you have solar on the roof.. those Prevost coaches dont need those 5 rooftop units when parked... I drove one for 10 years back N forth to florida a few times a year.. at least one of those trips was always in summer.. and I was really glad to have those dash vents blowing cool air on me.. the rooftop unit back just a few feet did help but when the dash air busted once i lasted about 2 hours and we stopped at a truck repair placeand had it fixed.. the bus wasnt mine it belonged t oa couple friends of mine and was built by custom coach in columbus.. I saw it being put together along the way and there was definitely good insulation..


typically parked with the slides out in the daytime 2 of those rooftop units would run.. if we uncovered the windshield and driver front windows for extra natural light then we might turn on the front rooftop unit...



on a hot day going down the road all of them were on..



suit yourself its your bus and not mine.. im just saying that engine driven A/C is for the road.. electric A/C is for being parked.. theres also no guarantee your multi-zone minisplit is going to even run goping down the road.. not sure where you plan to put that large condenser.. the multizone units have a lot more piping inside the outdoor unit than the single zone, therefore they are taller..



most people have had good luck running single zone units on the road to at least lessen the heat., ive personally worked with someone who has a multizone unit that doesnt want to run going down the road.. goes into outdoor fan excessive current pull error. its mounted to the back of the bus with the fan pointed in a direction youd expect would work.. they got hold of me because im an official fujitsu contact... the pioneers may be more forgiving... I generally like the pioneer units overall...

That's interesting I didn't really plan to run it on the road but would expect them to work anywhere as long as they had power and are out of the wind, that would be a bummer. lol I do intend to go with a pioneer. I have heard good things about them. I was planning to mount it off the back of the bus, weld up a bracket/shelf and bolt it to the bus.

[Diezel16Fuel16]

Is there a way to post pics without having a link?