| Author |
Message |
Jeff Pritchard (Jeffpritchard) (68.8.222.153)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 11:19 am: | |
I was amazed that my search for this didn't turn up any hits. Do busnuts hate slideouts? Are they too "sticksandstaples" for this crowd?
Anybody add one or more slideouts to their bus? Did you do it yourself or have it done professionally? If the latter, how much did it cost?
thanks,
jp |
Jim Huston (66.74.2.17)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 11:45 am: | |
Busnuts love slideouts -- just not the cost and time. I am currently converting a MCI EL3 and installing 2 slideouts. Couldn't find anyone to do so at a price i could live with so am doing it myself. None of the slide out suppliers wil sell to a self convertor (HWH) so I hired a structual engineer and had them do the math and so on. Still working on the slide mech. A lot depends on the shell you are using. Get dave galeys book -- it has a world of info in it.
Jim |
H3Jim (68.105.103.139)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 11:51 am: | |
Slideouts, while quit desirable, are very engineering intensive in a bus. this is due to the moncocque type frame, where each little member is part of the structural whole. To cut a big 10 ft slab out of the side of the bus requires much careful analysis. All this drives the cost of one to significant levels, along with taking a risk that the bus will just fold one day. It seems to me that while some folks do pursue this, that there are relatively few that want to bear the cost and risk. The big converters guard their engeineering and slide systems very carefully.
I for one, while I would likle to have one, decided to put more $ into a better coach, and forgo the extra space of a slide. I did get one quote of $30,000 to have a 10 ft slide put in the front. Slides also use some baggage area space, and while I have lots, I intend to use it all and did not want to give up any for a slide. |
Jay Gerlick (199.35.132.133)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 3:11 pm: | |
Has anyone ever seen the shop that does custom slideouts on buses that is along I-39/US-51, about an hour north of Bloomington, IL? I don't know the name of the town, maybe "Minonk" or close to it. |
Sam Sperbeck (206.230.105.230)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 5:13 pm: | |
Hi Jay,
Yes. We stopped there overnight on our way to a Midwest Bus Nuts rally in Bethany, IL a few years ago and you are right it is Minonk. The name of the business is Custom Crafted Coach, owned by Jim Young, (309) 432-2471, WWW.customcraftedcoach.com
We were curious to see what it would cost to put 2 slideouts in our '84 Prevost Le Mirage XL, but it was cost prohibitive for us. Still an interesting stop.
Thanks, Sam Sperbeck
La Crescent, MN |
FAST FRED (65.154.177.31)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 5:36 am: | |
If you want slideouts , best bet is an Eagle from a structural engineering view..
No monocoque construction , just a big heavy birdcage frame of usually rusted out iron.
As you replace the frame each decade you can chose whatever modifications would be nice to have this time.
4 slides , rooftop patio / helicopter pad , rear auto transport storage , stretch to 45 ft , widen to 102 ?
Just a bit more tubing to install.
Do it your way!!
FAST FRED |
mel 4104 (208.181.100.31)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 11:37 am: | |
FAST FRED, using an eagle is good advicebecause if you have to park over nite beside one you will know which side is the noisey one as the slide leaking will cause it to rust that much faster could get real noisey.thank goodness very few people try to ruin a GM by trying to put slides in them but as you say let every one do it their way its right for them. mel 4104 |
David Anderson (168.215.176.214)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 3:28 pm: | |
Jeff,
I typed in "slide" on the keyword search, and about 20 pages came up. You might try again.
This issue comes up pretty often. It seems it would be another big maintenance item to care for. Like we don't have enough already on our coach. Those who have done it are much more courageous than I.
My wife lives ok in eight feet, and you know the saying, "if momma is happy, everybody is happy."
David Anderson |
David Anderson (168.215.176.214)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 3:44 pm: | |
Jeff,
I just found this. Perhaps it will help.
http://www.hbindustries.ws/Slideout_Pictorial.htm
David Anderson |
Jerry Sojourner Jenkinson Sr (68.60.169.142)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 10:24 pm: | |
Hi Jeff,
I have done (still learning) many home works about slide-out project.
MCI-5, 7, 8, 9, 10 relied on skin for frame integrities.
Not sure about DL4500 (my memory?) however all EL, E4500, F3500 MCI are SS (stainless steel) tubing framed. Skins are only for covering.
All Eagle coach are mild steel tubing.
Prevost H3, later series are SS tubing.
It depend what bus you have will depend how much cost or work to achieve your goal.
Here one that can give all the answer your needs about slide-out.
http://www.morrisonsvipcoach.com/aboutus.html
I suggest talking to Paul Morrison. He is a no-nonsense friend to chat.
I am not affiliated with them to get commissions.
I believe Paul has done more than anyone for installing slide-out in all make of coaches and trailers. Plus he is very well acknowledgeable to redone or install new interior of coaches.
He will give you the most practical advice using HWH system.
HWH slide-out system are only install by HWH or anyone one of four on their list;
http://www.hwhcorp.com/shellconv.html
Remember they only do new coaches.
However Paul Morrison wills do almost all aged of coaches.
They are factory qualify to install their product to warranty.
HWH will not sell their slide-out system anyone, including my self.
HWH make several version of slide-out mechanism.
Another company use cable version which in time will cause problem due to cable stressing. I like the mechanic of moving slide out however doesn’t seem reliable.
I have background experience with steel cable and it use for practical purpose.
I am retired General Motor fabricator, build-up prototypes and concept cars.
I have done much research to do my slide-out on Sojourner (74 MCI-8).
It widen 102” X 43 ½ ft. with totally new surround frame of 1 ½ steel tubing (some stain-less steel).
My frame design is truss type which doesn’t require skin to be integrities of the structure. It consist several diagonal brace and webbing inside corners.
Similar as new MCI’s photos;
http://www.mcicoach.com/madden/phase2c.html
http://www.mcicoach.com/madden/phase2d.html
To make it easy to widen the coach and have new wall frame is to use old frame as your jig for alignment.
After frames were builds, I attach to old frame to parallel with spacers weld to “beltline” main frame.
And replace MCI-8’s roof curve with homemade MCI-9 roof curve to reach new frame top. Because of changing to new sharper roof curve, it gives more roofing sheet metal with 1 ½ inch extra side overlaps.
Then cover it with fiber-glass w/gel coated panel from Fleetwood using; http://www.sikaindustry.com/tds-ipd-sf252-ind-us.pdf for bonding.
It same bonding material used by MCI manufacture.
Sikaflex 252 requires prep condition to bond.
New Sikaflex 552 is new one on me. However 30 minute drying is too fast for this project.
For your information, whenever applying flex-adhesive to surface is to be sure enough to cover the width of tubing plus 3/32nd to 1/8th inch thickness of adhesive for bonding.
It for movement of expansion and contraction of wall panel to avoid unbonding.
Welcome any question or suggestions.
Remove "X" from e-mail address.
Jerry |
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