Roof Raise and Wind

Mrmagoo1077 · 03-06-2021, 10:38 PM

How much do you notice your roof raise in high winds? How high did you go?

I plan to watch the weather and plan my trip accordingly. But if you get caught unaware, does a raised roof significantly increase the threat of tipping over? How high can you push it? 1, 2, or 3'?

ABBus · 03-07-2021, 01:09 AM

I still don't understand what's the hipe with these roof raises. One can easily stand up in a school bus, and there's room for a lot of storage on each side above the windows. More volume to heat, weird appearance, legally and structurally borderline, bad handling (especially with the wind), ...
No judgment, I just can't see the benefit. There is probably something I missed. Could you explain?

Mrmagoo1077 · 03-07-2021, 01:40 AM

Have not decided to do one, just curious how bad it makes it handle?

I have seen some cool builds with them (kids reading nook up above).

CHEESE_WAGON · 03-07-2021, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABBus

I still don't understand what's the hipe with these roof raises. One can easily stand up in a school bus, and there's room for a lot of storage on each side above the windows. More volume to heat, weird appearance, legally and structurally borderline, bad handling (especially with the wind), ...
No judgment, I just can't see the benefit. There is probably something I missed. Could you explain?

If you gut everything and do something that raises or thickens the floor such as a radiant subfloor, the existing headroom disappears quickly, and most people want to be able to stand no matter where they are in the bus, which you cannot do at the sides due to roof curvature. Not all buses have a uniform roof height either.

As buses are already top-heavy, I think wind is absolutely a good consideration. I can tell you that I think the roof curvature and the sheer weight in the lower extremes of a skoolie would help to counter this, but ultimately I think high winds could be a problem. As a former over-the-road trucker, I can tell you that Wyoming is no joke. When those wind warnings for high-profile vehicles go up, they mean it.

mmoore6856 · 03-07-2021, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEESE_WAGON

If you gut everything and do something that raises or thickens the floor such as a radiant subfloor, the existing headroom disappears quickly, and most people want to be able to stand no matter where they are in the bus, which you cannot do at the sides due to roof curvature. Not all buses have a uniform roof height either.

As buses are already top-heavy, I think wind is absolutely a good consideration. I can tell you that I think the roof curvature and the sheer weight in the lower extremes of a skoolie would help to counter this, but ultimately I think high winds could be a problem. As a former over-the-road trucker, I can tell you that Wyoming is no joke. When those wind warnings for high-profile vehicles go up, they mean it.

this is true if you want 4 or 5 inches of insulation above and 2 below that headroom will be gone. not everybody is short.with the added height you should remember you are adding thousands of pounds under it so that counteracts the added surface area on the side. like taking the same trailer thru Laramie to Rawlings wyo once with 10,000 lbs with 60 mph winds then with 38,000 the next day with 70 mph. on the second day i sailed thru as the profile was the same but i had weight. if you re going thru wind fill all your tanks

mmoore6856 · 03-07-2021, 08:20 AM

i did park last week for a while as we had a 102 mph by laramie if you see that, nose it into the wind and park

CHEESE_WAGON · 03-07-2021, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmoore6856

like taking the same trailer thru Laramie to Rawlings wyo once with 10,000 lbs with 60 mph winds then with 38,000 the next day with 70 mph. on the second day i sailed thru as the profile was the same but i had weight. if you re going thru wind fill all your tanks

That actually brings up an idea I think is worth noting... Why not have ballast tanks for this purpose? GVWR pending of course.

mmoore6856 · 03-07-2021, 10:12 AM

Unfortunately that along with other good ideas are not what the management or truck designers will ever consider as they lost touch with reality years ago

GWRider · 03-07-2021, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABBus

I still don't understand what's the hipe with these roof raises. One can easily stand up in a school bus, and there's room for a lot of storage on each side above the windows. More volume to heat, weird appearance, legally and structurally borderline, bad handling (especially with the wind), ...
No judgment, I just can't see the benefit. There is probably something I missed. Could you explain?

Unless your short, not everyone can stand up in a school bus. Especially, after adding insulation, flooring etc. This also depends on the Bus since some are more round (ex. Crown). My height and others in my family are above average, so don't want to be bending our necks as we walk around inside.

You may also like: