The wrong way to do a roof raise...

[Doktari]

I have a Skoolie and a class A Motorhome. And I raised the roof on the class A Motorhome so I’m not off topic. And I’ve raised the roof on a skoolie. So, how about them apples. I think my roof raise using lots of aluminum made my Motorhome stronger. But the thing would still bust into a million pieces so what about a ejector seat with a parachute? Or a cage around the driver like in race cars lol.

 

[BeNimble]

I had a car once. It didn't start most of the time. It rusted out and the seats were torn and uncomfortable, the dash cracked and the engine stop working after 80k miles.

Cars are junk.

I will convert a train caboose into a car. They are always on time and don't get in accidents and look cool with the window skylights.

 

[rossvtaylor]

I will convert a train caboose into a car. They are always on time and don't get in accidents and look cool with the window skylights.

I have to disagree with you here. They always arrive last... :biggrin:

On a serious note, though, I'd own one of those as a stationary tiny home in a second!

 

[DeMac]

I would enjoy a train car on our farm. Passenger trains & buses have a similar look. About the same number of windows. Trolleys catch my eye at auctions.

 

[cadillackid]

I never keep cars long enough to rust and if they break I tell the dealer to come get it, fix it, and bring it back, when it doesnt smell new inside anymore I send it..

 

[cadillackid]

as far as busses and RV safety? I venture to say that many people;s conversions will kill them before the bus would fall apart..



granite countertops really? dont want to know the carnage when that thing flies apart into bite size chunks hurling forward like an asteroid field

 

[Booyah45828]

I just saw this abandoned conversion project for sale on FB and had to share it. Check out the windshield and imagine how a driver might see out after that's all done. Hopefully someone will learn from this great example of what the front of a raise should not look like...

View attachment 59220

I originally agreed with you.

Then I thought about the custom semi trucks out there with long hoods, brow guards and bug deflectors, and if they don't give a $hit about seeing what's in front of them, then why should this person......

Might also be a cool thing to make it like one of the old IH sightliners.

 

[incubus]

Damn,took the words right outta my mouth.

 

[incubus]

Was popular with GM bus converters years ago to raise drivers area up to floor height in rear. Everyone has different dreams.

 

[MacC-SKO]

I worked at Freightliner dealership for 17 years. We had wreckers. Dealership I was at was right on I-24. RV are toothpicks on wheels. Would NEVER put my family in one. Death traps. The fact that you can buy insurance on a RV shows you the kind of money the insurance world rapes from us.

 

[WIbluebird]

By the way I have had a regular RV, no way ever again. Junk...

I've owned 2 slide in truck campers. Both got delamination and water damage in various parts of the camper even despite me religously caulking all the seams and tarping them every year.

I've seen 2-3 year old high end 5th wheels with delamination already starting. Blows my mind that people finance these things at 50-60k and they actively fall apart just sitting there

 

[shorthair-SKO]

BeNimble seems to be the local Devil's (or RV's) advocate here on the skoolie.net. His purpose is to encourage would be skoolie owners to contemplate whether or not they really should build a skoolie by discouraging them from building a skoolie.

He may also be an agent of RVIA.



Ted

If so that's not a bad thing to have a voice of reason around.

 

[rossvtaylor]

The best thing to come out of this thread...Booyah's photo of the IH Sightliner! Now I want one.

Well, there's lots of good stuff here. But I've never seen that model truck before and it's bleeping amazing...

 

[Booyah45828]

They're from the 50's, and weren't all that common back then. Even more rare today I suppose. The lower glass was to see right in front of the truck, but drivers hated them because the oncoming vehicle headlights at night would light the cab up like it was daytime.

I've got a local truck "museum" near me that hosted the regional IH meetup, and I remember seeing one of those sightliners there years ago. It was definitely different, and I've remembered it ever since.

 

[incubus]

I had drunk driver in a gas station back thru my motorhome,into seat where my 4 year old was sitting. Got home ,looked up safest motorhomes to travel in , and yep "Bus Conversion " top of the list.

 

[TaliaDPerkins]

Where did I say aluminum and fiberglass is safer?

When you are baselessly running down vehicles that by comparison are steel monocouque construction.

I'm not doing "me" I am giving advice which people reading forums are looking for.

No, you are scaremongering.

In particular I am troubled by all the kids being stuff into the back of school buses with the falsehood they are 'safer' because its a school bus, and a motorhome will fall apart in an accident. Your point is wrong.

No, until you can find an actual example of a model of commercial RV that holds up better in a collision than a school bus, your point is wrong.

 

[TaliaDPerkins]

Please don't tell me you think a school bus is safer than a modern F250?

No, they never did say that. You made it up.


They said a school bus conversion is more safe than any commercial RV, and they are correct.

 

[ol trunt]

Thank you Tom.
Jack

 

[BeNimble]

If you care about safety, then get a F250 with airbags and seat belts.

You want to QUOTE WHAT I POSTED?

Post up your crash test data on DIY Motorhome School Bus Conversions.

 

[joeblack5]

The insurance hardly cares about you but about the damage you can do with 30000lbs of steel to someone else.
If your roof raised diy vehicle has 2% more chance to flip over and crushes a car with 4 children then it is going to cost a lot of money..

A sticks and staples might fold around the other vehicle giving it somewhat of a chance.

Besides there is the issue that diy people here seem to be very interested and able making their bus faster.. there is another reason for insurance to think twice.

Insurance is about numbers and making money... If you can not get insurance then the only conclusion is that school buses are less safe. I am sure the crash /risk/ money data is somewhere.

Johan