Raising the roof, literally

[jhager627]

Hey Skoolie community! I was wondering if anyone has paid to have their roof raised, and if so, who did it and how much? I'd feel better if a professional did the body work. However, I'm having difficulty finding where to have the work done. Live in KCMO area.

[o1marc]

I've seen roof raises that should cost about $300-$500 to do and places charging anywhere from $3k to $9k. It's not that hard to do.

[Ninjakitty]

Wess Lewis with Transcend Existence is known to be a mobile roof raiser. Don't know what he charges, but his work looks good.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by Ninjakitty

Wess Lewis with Transcend Existence is known to be a mobile roof raiser. Don't know what he charges, but his work looks good.

I had my roof raised but had not completed the sheet metal on the front and rear caps. He quoted me $2000+ travel expenses to assist me with the finish work.

If you find someone to do it for $300-$500 PLEASE send me their contact info. I have spent close to $1600 on materials and I am not quite done yet.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

I had my roof raised but had not completed the sheet metal on the front and rear caps. He quoted me $2000+ travel expenses to assist me with the finish work.

If you find someone to do it for $300-$500 PLEASE send me their contact info. I have spent close to $1600 on materials and I am not quite done yet.

One question that has never been answer. and I've asked several times, is how much is involved for the money. How much does the bus need to be ready for a raise, how much more after raising do they do for the money? Is skinning included. Lots of questions with no answers.

What is included in your $1600 besides $450 in sheet metal and the rib extensions, surely they don't cost $1000?

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by o1marc

One question that has never been answer. and I've asked several times, is how much is involved for the money. How much does the bus need to be ready for a raise, how much more after raising do they do for the money? Is skinning included. Lots of questions with no answers.

What is included in your $1600 besides $450 in sheet metal and the rib extensions, surely they don't cost $1000?

what gauge are the hat channels in ( most ) buses?

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by Sleddgracer

what gauge are the hat channels in ( most ) buses?

In mine, roughly 17g, or .0580"

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Sleddgracer

what gauge are the hat channels in ( most ) buses?

14-ish.

Guess it depends on the maker of the bus.
Mine were DEFINITELY 14ga.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by o1marc

One question that has never been answer. and I've asked several times, is how much is involved for the money. How much does the bus need to be ready for a raise, how much more after raising do they do for the money? Is skinning included. Lots of questions with no answers.

What is included in your $1600 besides $450 in sheet metal and the rib extensions, surely they don't cost $1000?

I started this project a bit North of Seattle. I priced materials there but did not get to the point of buying metal before I moved to a rural area. About 5,000 people and one stop light in the entire county.

When I priced metal over here it was MUCH more expensive than Seattle. I looked at buying the materials in Seattle and having them shipped over. It worked out to be about the same price.

I am envious of you folks that have cheap metal suppliers and scrap yards available.

I shopped every metal supplier within 120 miles and took the lowest quote.

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by o1marc

In mine, roughly 17g, or .0580"

hey, thanks for that

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

14-ish.

Guess it depends on the maker of the bus.
Mine were DEFINITELY 14ga.

thank you ECCB

[Bon Voyage]

I did my hat channel at 12 gauge, as it was slightly thicker than what came on the bus. I did the sheet metal at 18 gauge as that is what was already on the bus. I spent about maybe $2200 USD on metal and I don’t know how many hundreds on bolts and rivets for my roof raise of 16”. It was more work than I expected but I could’ve done it quicker and easier if I had done it a little differently. Somebody on hand with experience could really be helpful but probably not worth $2000 in my opinion.

[shaymcquaid]

I'm about $800 into metal for my raise. That counts the $200 that the sheet metal shop for the rib and splice sections. BE SURE TO ASK ABOUT WHAT TOLERANCES THE SHEET METAL SHOP WILL HOLD!!!

Mine were all over the place but mostly usable.


BTW...
A "c" channel made to fit inside the existing rib and welded flat bottom out (relative to the bus rib) is the simplest way. It also makes it easy to flush the rib/hat section to receive the new skin. No new hat section needed...live and learn.

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by shaymcquaid

I'm about $800 into metal for my raise. That counts the $200 that the sheet metal shop for the rib and splice sections. BE SURE TO ASK ABOUT WHAT TOLERANCES THE SHEET METAL SHOP WILL HOLD!!!

Mine were all over the place but mostly usable.


BTW...
A "c" channel made to fit inside the existing rib and welded flat bottom out (relative to the bus rib) is the simplest way. It also makes it easy to flush the rib/hat section to receive the new skin. No new hat section needed...live and learn.

................. ..............

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by shaymcquaid

I'm about $800 into metal for my raise. That counts the $200 that the sheet metal shop for the rib and splice sections. BE SURE TO ASK ABOUT WHAT TOLERANCES THE SHEET METAL SHOP WILL HOLD!!!

Mine were all over the place but mostly usable.


BTW...
A "c" channel made to fit inside the existing rib and welded flat bottom out (relative to the bus rib) is the simplest way. It also makes it easy to flush the rib/hat section to receive the new skin. No new hat section needed...live and learn.

Always tell the fab shop the tolerances are critical/crucial. AND always have them make a test fit piece before making a lot of parts.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

14-ish.

Guess it depends on the maker of the bus.
Mine were DEFINITELY 14ga.

I think that I may have gone a little overboard...... Had our inserts bent up out of 1/8" material.

[Bon Voyage]

BTW...
A "c" channel made to fit inside the existing rib and welded flat bottom out (relative to the bus rib) is the simplest way. It also makes it easy to flush the rib/hat section to receive the new skin. No new hat section needed...live and learn.

I like that idea; a little easier that way.

I should also mention my sheet metal cost included a few custom cut pieces which added to the cost.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Bon Voyage

BTW...
A "c" channel made to fit inside the existing rib and welded flat bottom out (relative to the bus rib) is the simplest way. It also makes it easy to flush the rib/hat section to receive the new skin. No new hat section needed...live and learn.

I like that idea; a little easier that way.

I should also mention my sheet metal cost included a few custom cut pieces which added to the cost.

I liked how mine ended up. I got the custom C channel bent at the local steel fab shop. Fit like a glove.

[Frogpondfoug]

300-500 and your roof will fly off. Not somthing your should cheap out on. If I was do one for somone I'd want 2500-5000 that's windows installed, welded, and sheeted. I've done collision work my life and it might be easy but keeping the roofs integrity is the the most curtail part.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Frogpondfoug

300-500 and your roof will fly off. Not somthing your should cheap out on. If I was do one for somone I'd want 2500-5000 that's windows installed, welded, and sheeted. I've done collision work my life and it might be easy but keeping the roofs integrity is the the most curtail part.

I only spent 300 or so and my roof didn't fly off.
Bus went over 1300 miles post-roofraise and is still going just fine.
Its not the dollars that hold the roof on, its how well you do the work.