| Author |
Message |
steve (206.228.214.170)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 31, 2001 - 11:51 pm: | |
is anybody making a mech to make the floor slide and cover up the steps? |
jmaxwell (66.42.93.131)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 01, 2001 - 12:09 am: | |
Lots of types out there. I just have a hinged tri-fold dropdown, upholstered to match, from the front wall. I saw an interesting arrangement in an AllegroBus(if u want to call it that). Manual, a drop down on a piano hinge that was mounted to a full extension slide unit. It folded up and then slid back on the slide against the side wall beside the co-pilot seat. I bought the slide to do it with and have a piece of 5/16" aluminum for the cover, but have not got around to doing it. I would prefer a power sliding unit from under the floor, but have a structural beam that is in the way. |
Scott Whitney (63.151.64.84)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 01, 2001 - 2:53 am: | |
What is the advantage to such a contraption? Do you find that the space over the steps can be used when inside? Seems like one could not put anything there if it had to be removed to go outside again. Thx.
Scott |
madbrit (216.67.210.156)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 01, 2001 - 5:18 am: | |
Scott,
the advantage is that the co-pilot can have their seat more in line with the driver and have somewhere to put their feet.
Another way is to modify the entrance steps to a curved (spiral) type, and put the co-pilot's seat next to the driver, roughly in the middle of the bus.
One problem with that is the co-pilot has to look through the join in the windshield. This may or may not be a problem, the seat may be able to be positioned to avoid this, and not interfere with the steps.
Peter. |
jmaxwell (66.42.92.226)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 01, 2001 - 11:06 am: | |
The other advantage, besides the spouse having a place for her feet, is that my pup likes to lay on the floor and look out the window (a 12"x22" slider) that is in the door at the floor line. He also enjoys the fresh air in his face and being able to say hello to pedestrians when in the city at street corners. The window gives me the advantage of being able to see Honda & VWs, bicycles, etc, who have attempted to make the right hand turn ahead of me. |
Scott Whitney (63.151.64.84)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 01, 2001 - 1:04 pm: | |
Hi Guys,
Oh, I see. Makes sense now. I didn't think of a place for the copilot's feet. I don't have a pooch or a copilot yet, but maybe some lucky lady in the future. . . I know how it can be uncomfortable to sit with ones feet hanging in mid-air. Thanks for the explanation - I'll put it on my list of projects to consider.
Scott |
dougthebonifiedbusnut (24.147.153.205)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 01, 2001 - 8:16 pm: | |
hey scott im going to mount the stair cover on a piano hinge mounted to the front wall so it just hinges down on the bottom side i will mount a hand rail that will be hidden when the cover is down but functional when it is up |
Dwight.RTS (208.33.240.21)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 01, 2001 - 8:56 pm: | |
This is my 3rd motorhoome, My copilot likes to drive from the copilots seat!! (know what I mean), so on this motorhome I put her behind the wheel well, best thing I ever did!!! , she is far enoungh behind the windshield that now she falls asleep, NOW I CAN DRIVE the bus with out comments from the copilots seat !!! just a thought??
LOL... |
Steve Fessen den (63.29.156.221)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 01, 2001 - 10:19 pm: | |
Two or three heavy door hinges might be better than piano hinge. People might stand on it and the hinge might have to bear some of the weight.
Steve Fessenden |
CoryDaneRTSII (198.29.191.147)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 02, 2001 - 12:20 am: | |
The hinge does'nt have to carry the weight if the platform rests on the lip of the floor or step wall, the hinge only holds the weight of the platform. Apractice that has been used forever in fine furniture. cd |
jmaxwell (66.42.93.94)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 02, 2001 - 2:50 am: | |
Mine is a tri-fold spanning 35 inches w/1/2" piano hinge, folds against the front wall, and rests on a 1/2" of floor on one side and a 1/2" alum. angle on the door. We regularly stand on it when deployed, but, can't open the door until it is folded up. I'm hoping the side wall slider will address that little problem. |
steve (206.228.214.178)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 02, 2001 - 11:20 pm: | |
thanx for all the info, I'm going to make mine slide on tracks under the front floor powered by air cyl. |
Jim Stacy (12.87.108.32)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 05, 2001 - 10:05 pm: | |
Why so complicated? Platforms, piano hinges, air cylinders, power operated, obstructed exit,....
I welded a "pi" shape about 18" wide by 14" deep out of extruded aluminum. The two legs slide through strap brackets on each side of the copilot seat central post. It can be slid in and out by a nudge of the foot, requires no power, stays put either in or out position, and does not block the stairway even in the extended position.
A rubber mat glued to the top gives a finished look. KISS. FWIW
Jim Stacy |
jmaxwell (66.42.92.154)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 06, 2001 - 12:16 am: | |
Well Jim, 14x18 pie wedge is hardly big enough for mamma's feet, let alone the poor pooch. And, speaking of the pup, he may get somewhat berserk if he falls off this meager pedestal and goes thud into the step-well. Now I have to contend with a pissed-off pooch and his equally pissed mistress, who happens to be far more concerned about him than me. Gotta have a full cover for pup. |
Scott Whitney (63.151.64.84)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 06, 2001 - 3:17 pm: | |
JMaxwell,
Your design makes sense to me given your needs. I think what Jim was describing though, was a pi shape as in the Greek letter pi rather than a wedge of pie. In other words, two posts and a lintel if it were standing upright. But I am not sure, just trying to understand the posts. (pun intended) I can see how this method would simply solve the 'where to put copilot's feet' question.
Scott |