Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 11-14-2019, 05:47 PM   #1
Almost There
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: North MS
Posts: 97
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC1000 FE
Engine: 5.9
BB TC1000 roof raise tubing size

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20191114_103341.jpg
Views:	11
Size:	105.8 KB
ID:	39292So I've tried 1 1/4" tubing at both 14 and 16 gauge and they're both too big to get flush with the back of the rib even with two clamps trying to get it back in there. 1" is too small. I think it gets narrower the further back in it goes. Do I need to get some 1 1/8" or is it ok that the tubing doesn't sit completely flush?

lebusmagique is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2019, 05:54 PM   #2
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Interesting....

I used a 1-3/8' wide C channel and I fit perfectly..

The square tube I have used on other projects has always been measured on the outside dimension.. Changing the wall thickness will not change the outside dimension.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2019, 06:01 PM   #3
Almost There
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: North MS
Posts: 97
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC1000 FE
Engine: 5.9
Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post
Changing the wall thickness will not change the outside dimension.
Good to know. Makes sense. Not sure why I didn't realize that. I'm kinda stumped though. I wanted to figure out what size to use before I make an order at the local steel mill but 1 1/8" doesn't seem to be something you can get anywhere unless you order it.
lebusmagique is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2019, 06:05 PM   #4
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by lebusmagique View Post
Good to know. Makes sense. Not sure why I didn't realize that. I'm kinda stumped though. I wanted to figure out what size to use before I make an order at the local steel mill but 1 1/8" doesn't seem to be something you can get anywhere unless you order it.
I measured mine with digital calipers and had C channel bent up from 1/8" flat stock.

It fit perfectly and is s heavier than the hat channel.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2019, 08:02 PM   #5
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by lebusmagique View Post
Good to know. Makes sense. Not sure why I didn't realize that. I'm kinda stumped though. I wanted to figure out what size to use before I make an order at the local steel mill but 1 1/8" doesn't seem to be something you can get anywhere unless you order it.
That's why I had some custom channel made. I wanted it to be perfect.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2019, 08:49 PM   #6
Almost There
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: North MS
Posts: 97
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC1000 FE
Engine: 5.9
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
That's why I had some custom channel made. I wanted it to be perfect.

Well luckily I know the former CEO of the local steel mill and I just contacted him and he told me they can make custom hat channel no problem. Would the easiest thing be to just cut a section and bring it up there?
lebusmagique is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2019, 01:21 AM   #7
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by lebusmagique View Post
Well luckily I know the former CEO of the local steel mill and I just contacted him and he told me they can make custom hat channel no problem. Would the easiest thing be to just cut a section and bring it up there?
I cut a section out of a rib and took it to the fabrication shop my step dad works for.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2019, 02:26 AM   #8
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3,856
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Thomas Built Bus
Chassis: Freightliner FS65
Engine: Caterpillar 3126E Diesel
Rated Cap: 71 Passenger- 30,000 lbs.
Having a sample always helps the fit.
Native is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2019, 09:49 AM   #9
Almost There
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: North MS
Posts: 97
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC1000 FE
Engine: 5.9
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
I cut a section out of a rib and took it to the fabrication shop my step dad works for.
Cool. Do I get it made to fit on the outside or inside of the existing channel? I assume the process is the same as using square tube? Just get them made up so that there's about 6" of overlap on each side? Where exactly did you make your welds?
lebusmagique is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2019, 09:52 AM   #10
Almost There
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: North MS
Posts: 97
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC1000 FE
Engine: 5.9
And do you also need "C" channel to go on the inside for reinforcement or no?
lebusmagique is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2019, 11:11 AM   #11
Bus Geek
 
o1marc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
Quote:
Originally Posted by lebusmagique View Post
And do you also need "C" channel to go on the inside for reinforcement or no?
The "C" channel goes inside the hat channel. I have hat and "C" channel available.
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_20191022_212459133.jpg  
o1marc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2019, 12:31 PM   #12
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by lebusmagique View Post
And do you also need "C" channel to go on the inside for reinforcement or no?
The channel goes inside the existing bus rib. Can use thin angle iron or have some 18ga angle bent up when you have the channel made. Use that to attach the skins. SHouldn't cost more than a couple hundred bucks.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2019, 12:32 PM   #13
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
The "C" channel goes inside the hat channel. I have hat and "C" channel available.
Have you checked that it will work on BB?
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2019, 12:44 PM   #14
Bus Geek
 
o1marc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Have you checked that it will work on BB?
Not yet, question was asked about measurements, it was ignored.
o1marc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2019, 01:04 PM   #15
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
Not yet, question was asked about measurements, it was ignored.
Check MuddaEarth he did his on a BB. IIRC 1 1/4" sq tubing fit like a glove but I'm not 100% sure on the size.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2019, 06:15 PM   #16
Almost There
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: North MS
Posts: 97
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC1000 FE
Engine: 5.9
Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
Not yet, question was asked about measurements, it was ignored.
I'm getting there. Left my old calipers out in the rain
lebusmagique is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2019, 06:17 PM   #17
Almost There
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: North MS
Posts: 97
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC1000 FE
Engine: 5.9
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
The channel goes inside the existing bus rib. Can use thin angle iron or have some 18ga angle bent up when you have the channel made. Use that to attach the skins. SHouldn't cost more than a couple hundred bucks.

Ok I understand. Let's say I do a 14" raise. I'd get 24" of hat channel to have 5" of overlap on each side. Does the C channel need to be 28" or so?
lebusmagique is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2019, 07:55 PM   #18
Bus Geek
 
o1marc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
Quote:
Originally Posted by lebusmagique View Post
Ok I understand. Let's say I do a 14" raise. I'd get 24" of hat channel to have 5" of overlap on each side. Does the C channel need to be 28" or so?
If doing a 14" raise you need 14" Hat channel and 24" "C" channel.
o1marc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2019, 04:27 AM   #19
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
If doing a 14" raise you need 14" Hat channel and 24" "C" channel.
I did a ten inch raise and I used something like 30" c channel. Measure and make it long as you can the more overlap the better.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2019, 09:41 AM   #20
Almost There
 
Skipoffools's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 80
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Carpenter (Cavalier)
Chassis: International Harvester
Engine: DTA360
Rated Cap: 63
I did a 24” raise and I just took a chunk of the OE hat channel to a local fabrication shop and got him to custom make 48” hat channel to fit over the existing channel. This put the fabricated channel in the inside which kept the new channel from interfering with installing the exterior sheathing. Cost me $420.

I used farm jacks to raise and tek screws held it all in place for the 10 mile drive to the welder.
Skipoffools is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:56 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.