Leveling the bus before roof raise

[Native-SKO]

Still no hat channel after 5 weeks? Wow! Any contact them since you placed the order?

 

[Shotgun Navigation]

I had the same issue with Colorado Custom Coach works! Was told to expect delivery in 2 to 3 weeks. After 3 weeks started sending e-mails. Slow to respond. 3 or 4 days for response. Finally got hat channels at 5 weeks. Love what they are trying to do but not thrilled with results.

 

[Gdog 5651]

raised mine 14" used 5/8" allthread 1" square tubing(thats what I had laying around) did it on a sloping gravel drive way cut the roof off with a reciprocating saw made sure the spacing between the cuts was exactly 14" and welded rectangular tubing into the spaces holding them in with c clamps spacing them correctly and clamping them pulled the two ends of the channels together and even the job was fast and as close to perfect as it could be as Charlie said don't make the job harder than it has to be.

Gene

 

[BusT]

By c channel Inserts . I thought or assumed it would be separate pieces of c channel 20in that wouldn’t be welded onto the hats....
I was expecting to order 20in hats and have 20 in c channel (not welded ) just separate .

Kind of confused

 

[BusT]

Just thinking how to make this work. I Intended I’m raising and cutting to desired length. Not might have to craft something up...

 

[BusT]

I might raise... find my desired height .
Cut these in the middle and weld back together.... ....
I’m kinda thinking 20in is a little to high and don’t want to just throw these in because it’s what I have... a weld in the middle of these should be just fine

 

[EastCoastCB]

Just thinking how to make this work. I Intended I’m raising and cutting to desired length. Not might have to craft something up...

Have you asked them what's up?
I'd want my money back. Why the **** would they build em like that???

 

[BusT]

Either way I’m pretty excited and am hoping to put some video together of the work I’ve done so far

 

[family wagon]

I might raise... find my desired height .
Cut these in the middle and weld back together.... ....
I’m kinda thinking 20in is a little to high and don’t want to just throw these in because it’s what I have... a weld in the middle of these should be just fine

Those parts look like they're intended to be inserted at the cut you make in your original hat channel. The original channel would butt up against those new channels, with the welded-in piece acting as a splice to join them.


If you don't want your raise to be as tall as those parts are, cut out more of your original hat channel. Cut out 6 inches of original, install the 20 inch extension, get a net lift of 14 inches (for example).

 

[o1marc]

Are those the CCC kits? They come welded with only a 2" overlap? Now I know why they price them the way they do. My kits are cut to length for hat and what ever overlap you want on the C. And they are cheaper and faster delivery.
I'm told at least a 6" overlap is safe. So getting equal amounts of both would leave you short on C channel.

Are their kits not length specific. If doing a 12" roof raise, order 12" kits. What did you order?

 

[EastCoastCB]

For being "pros" those rib/hat assemblies are sketchy! I mean- look at the wimpy overlaps!

 

[BusT]

Have you asked them what's up?
I'd want my money back. Why the **** would they build em like that???

Dude idk ....
I thought it was two separate channels....
I thought I saw that on there website also . I looked again and they were the same as the ones I got... . Could just use the hat and have the shop I work at take the c channel but I’m not sure if I want to wait or try to get through with them anymore .... after about 5 weeks . I got this today and I think it’ll be **** trying to get someone on the phone...

 

[BusT]

Those parts look like they're intended to be inserted at the cut you make in your original hat channel. The original channel would butt up against those new channels, with the welded-in piece acting as a splice to join them.


If you don't want your raise to be as tall as those parts are, cut out more of your original hat channel. Cut out 6 inches of original, install the 20 inch extension, get a net lift of 14 inches (for example).

I might have to do this that’s what I’m thinking

 

[BusT]

Are those the CCC kits? They come welded with only a 2" overlap? Now I know why they price them the way they do. My kits are cut to length for hat and what ever overlap you want on the C. And they are cheaper and faster delivery.
I'm told at least a 6" overlap is safe. So getting equal amounts of both would leave you short on C channel.

Are their kits not length specific. If doing a 12" roof raise, order 12" kits. What did you order?

I ordered 20 20in hat with insert. Which what I assume came with 20inch c channel .
Then I thought I could get some more c channel made like these and add a bigger overlap . At first I planned on going 20 then decided I’ll just order bigger because I could cut my channels to fit like I need with a real overlap

 

[BusT]

For being "pros" those rib/hat assemblies are sketchy! I mean- look at the wimpy overlaps!

What overlap??
Sarcasm ... yeah i might just use there hat and get some c channel made

 

[BusT]

At first I thought 20in then I talked to Chris at CFC and he was saying shorter buses handle the 20in raise kinda sketchy .... with handeling ....


So maybe go 14 in or 16

 

[BusT]

Here we go

 

[sportyrick]

if you don't think they are strong enough then just add some box tubing to the inside of the hat and make them real strong. You could just do a few or just the corners. Welded properly the 2 inch overlap would be sufficient since it's almost as long as the hat is wide.

 

[Sleddgracer]

if you don't think they are strong enough then just add some box tubing to the inside of the hat and make them real strong. You could just do a few or just the corners. Welded properly the 2 inch overlap would be sufficient since it's almost as long as the hat is wide.

or do it like a commercial motorhome and add a bit of styrofoam where the hat channel is missing - I think school buses are over built compared to regular buses, transport trucks, and compared to commercial motorhomes and holiday trailers, school buses may reach the realm of extremism - I really think that people worry unnecessarily about the strength of a roof raise - the skin integrity in conjunction with multiple fasteners into the roman arches of hat channel makes a bus stronger/safer/heavier than any competing vehicle of it's size - as long as what you do isn't going to loosen up and fall off or cause a fire, you're likely good to go

 

[o1marc]

I ordered 20 20in hat with insert. Which what I assume came with 20inch c channel .
Then I thought I could get some more c channel made like these and add a bigger overlap . At first I planned on going 20 then decided I’ll just order bigger because I could cut my channels to fit like I need with a real overlap

Make sure what ever hat channel you buy, you buy it in lengths divisible by the amount of the roof raise so no waste left. I have "C" channel available for delivery now.