| Author | Message | ||
| Dble D (199.250.20.136) Rating: N/A |
Wondering if anyone has or has seen an observation platform on the top of a bus? Got back from a big music festival last weekend and the only good thing about the class C RV parked beside us was that it had a wonderful view from the top. I am wondering what would have to be done to the bus, Scenicruiser, as far as reinforceing roof for a platform on the top. Any and all comments welcome. | ||
| Scott Whitney (24.205.233.25) Rating: N/A |
You can take a look at my site and see how I built mine. http://www.dustyfoot.com/roofrack.html It is made of 1.25" square tubing and has 12 attaching feet which bolt to the roof ribs. There is a thirteenth foot directly underneath the crane. (used for loading heavy items on the roof) Deck surface is made from three whole sheets of 3/4 plywood. (12'x8') Have yet to build the railing. . . but it has the best view in town. Scott | ||
| Jason (24.217.116.210)
Rating: N/A |
I saw an excellent show with a bus that had an observation deck, I think it was custom made. If you would like I will try and get pictures of it and send them to you | ||
| jmaxwell (66.42.92.16) Rating: N/A |
We have one in our bus nut chapter that is on a highly customized 4106- "Phantom". Made of aluminum tubing and expanded aluminum grating and completely hidden by custom molded roof side rails and a rear air spoiler. There is a solid overlay for the grating that can mount permanently or be removed and a custom 3 pc. ladder up the back for access. Like the rest of the bus, a work of art, and several years in construction. | ||
| OAE Palmer (208.164.96.100) Rating: N/A |
Good timing...! This week I will be purchasing 2 30ft. aluminum channels, 4"x2"x-1/4in, they are coming from the aluminum salvage yard and I'll nab them for a buck a pound ($55.00 ea.). I'm cutting 7ft. off each stick, mitering all 8 corners 45deg. and welding together a 7ft X 23ft rectangle. This will serve as the framework for our upstairs patio. An alum. ladder from the same yard will provide access from the outside. The frame work and it 3 center beams will wiegh a total of 160lbs. I am holding out for formed aluminum sheet inserts for the flooring to keep my total weight down to under 300lbs including a restraining rail at 44 inches high all around the perimiter using 1-1/2 round tube and connectors available at Granger. I hadn't thought of raising the front cap to cover that end, nor had I thought of using aluminum sheet to hide the sides....both exellent ideas!!! We do a fair amount of bird and star watching, and I have a preference for sleeping under the stars, and maybe a half a dozen times a year we take in a race that we will use the patio for. The skylight/emergency escape hatch in the bath will allow US access to the roof in privacy. I know a trimmer and will have him stich up a roll of med. weight nylon with some button snaps top and bottom and that will attach to the railing, uprights and bottom. I'll be keeping an eye open for a couple of broken pop-up sun shades for the roof on our new outdoor living room on the roof. | ||
| Scott Whitney (24.205.233.25) Rating: N/A |
BTW, another thought to consider. . . when I build my railing, I intend to make two opposing corners beefy enough to attach hammock ropes to. . . Scott | ||
| Jack.In.KC (24.94.180.162)
Rating: N/A |
I saw a commercial observation deck at the RV show in Oklahoma City a couple years ago. It was available on a certain RV (cant remember which one) but they have plans for an aftermarket product. They used an inside stairway the reminded me of the stairs in a sailboat and a skylight opening that was about 24x48. The skylight cover was integrated into an aluminum railing on the street side of the coach. There was a second fold-down rail on the driver side. The rails folder over (and around integrated seats that served as additional storage. They just put non-slip surface on the roof. The did use a flange all around the deck but it did not actually attach to the bus. How about using plastic lumber for the deck? As an additional benefit, it would shade the bus roof. | ||
| OAE Palmer (208.164.96.131) Rating: N/A |
HAMMOCK..!!! BINGO!!!! Hotdam whadda great idea, thanks! Speaking to the plastic lumber.... I am looking for something in aluminum that looks like a sheetmetal 2x4 stud. with plenty of small round perforations The open side of ther C-channel frame will be facing out giving me a flat vertical surface to attach these alum planks against. Shade is expected as is water drainage....keeping the wind from whistling thru it at freeway speed will be the finger crosser  | ||
| joe shelton (Littlewind) (67.242.199.137)
Rating: N/A |
After working on top of my 4106 (curved top) I designed a roof safety rial. I still thick I will build it but will use ABS tubing insted of SST. If you'd like a copy of the PDF drawing let me know. |