| Author | Message | ||
| Peter River (Whitebus)
Registered Member Username: Whitebus Post Number: 18 Registered: 4-2009 Posted From: 208.54.14.98  Rating: N/A |
yesterday I actually crawled under the bus for the first time. I was surprised to find all these huge empty spaces. front and back of each wheelwells, under the driver seat (big enough to put the largest generator I can find, and behind the front bumper. All these time, I was sketching out ideas on how to mount water tanks inside the luggage compartment, but now I have all these spaces I didn't know about, I can custom order holding tanks for each of these spaces. now comes the question of HOW to mount these. I see metal wheelwells, but probably not strong enough to hold 50gal of water. I see small metal floor "ribs", but they are spaced out uneven. of course the good old floor, looks to be a 1/2" plywood with some flooring material on top. what would be the best strategy of mounting tanks in these spaces? if you have done this already, I would appreciate some hints. I have no metalworking skills, and can barely use an electric drill, so keep it simple... | ||
| Peter River (Whitebus)
Registered Member Username: Whitebus Post Number: 19 Registered: 4-2009 Posted From: 208.54.14.98 Rating: N/A |
I am also contemplating opening up a hatch door on the side of the bus under the driver, to gain access to this space. Of course that means cutting through the nice flat metal sides, which would probably result in not so nice looking seams. | ||
| Marc_bourget (Marc_bourget)
Registered Member Username: Marc_bourget Post Number: 13 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 64.142.42.176 Rating: N/A |
Be careful putting things that can break near wheel wells. The energy distributed by a disintegrating tire is tremendous. Sheet Metal will never be sufficient. I doubt 1/4" plate would be enough to contain a tire failure. Behing the front bumper in some coaches is for the spare tire, which, in crash situtations comes in handy by asorbing energy, Gumpydog was creative in finding niches and crannies to put tanks, visit his site. He also gives good examples on battery racks, too. Maybe his site will give you more ideas. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1426 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9  Rating: N/A |
Doesn't that vehicle have baggage compartments? Or is it more like a Bluebird? | ||
| Peter River (Whitebus)
Registered Member Username: Whitebus Post Number: 21 Registered: 4-2009 Posted From: 208.54.14.98 Rating: N/A |
john, it has two large baggage hatch on the side, that goes all the way through the other side. But I tend to be a pack rat, so I would rather place my tanks outside that compartment. Marc, good point, I wouldn't store anything that would do a whole lot of damage, I figured some plastic water containers would be safe enough. The wheelwell looks to be a pretty tough metal, just in case of the catastrophe you mentioned. | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 303 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.165.176.62  Rating: N/A |
If I were starting from scratch I would be real tempted to install my fresh water tanks in some of my cabinet bases or under the bed if it doesn't prevent access to the engine. | ||
| Dan West (Utahclaimjumper)
Registered Member Username: Utahclaimjumper Post Number: 172 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 208.66.38.60 Rating: N/A |
You also need to think about freezing and how to prevent it, plus filling and draining.>>>Dan | ||
| Peter River (Whitebus)
Registered Member Username: Whitebus Post Number: 22 Registered: 4-2009 Posted From: 204.62.111.51 Rating: N/A |
ah yes. I do live in Arizona, and I tend to stay away from cold places. The custom tank places can place fill and drain tubes anywhere I want, so I can fill from top, and have a tube to a pump that either pump up or out, in case it does freeze, I can pull water out pretty quick. I would of course cover it with a insulating blanket. | ||
| John and Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member Username: Bigrigger Post Number: 162 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 24.179.147.233  Rating: N/A |
Just mirroring what Marc said, I have seen a $200 tire repair turn into $2000 in broken tanks etc when the tire comes apart. | ||
| Peter River (Whitebus)
Registered Member Username: Whitebus Post Number: 23 Registered: 4-2009 Posted From: 204.62.111.51 Rating: N/A |
as far as I've seen water tanks of the size I am looking at are no more than $100-200 each. it will also be installed on the other side of preexisting steel wheel well, so I am not installing with any additional exposure to the tires. | ||
| Craig Campbell (Craig_4104012)
Registered Member Username: Craig_4104012 Post Number: 5 Registered: 2-2009 Posted From: 68.246.129.116 Rating: N/A |
hello pete, maybe this from west marine will do the trick http://www.westmarine.com/1/1/5172-hatch-opening-14-x-16-flange-o-d-18-1-8-x-20-3-16-from- bomar.html (Message edited by Craig 4104012 on April 29, 2009) | ||
| niles steckbauer (Niles500)
Registered Member Username: Niles500 Post Number: 919 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 173.78.29.189 Rating: N/A |
Actually - thinking about it - water tanks fore or aft the wheel wells would provide a sacrificial barrier to more ex$pen$ive items on the other side - DOT places those large water filled plastic cisterns at exit ramps because they are such great barriers - If you could rig a small pump, nozzle and temp switch - You would have an automatic fire extinguisher in case of a brake fire - Just thinkin' | ||
| Craig Campbell (Craig_4104012)
Registered Member Username: Craig_4104012 Post Number: 8 Registered: 2-2009 Posted From: 68.246.129.116 Rating: N/A |
knew someone who hit one of those barriers one time here in Norfolk, turns out the third layer of barrels was filled with sand. He could skip the pump and temp switch the fire would melt the plastic right? | ||
| Craig Campbell (Craig_4104012)
Registered Member Username: Craig_4104012 Post Number: 9 Registered: 2-2009 Posted From: 68.246.129.116 Rating: N/A |
found a better hatch option. this one is water proof. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/102961/377%207 10%201042/0/Hatches%20&%20Ports/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710%20 1042&Ne=0&Ntt=Hatches%20&%20Ports&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&page=CategoryDisplayLevel1&is LTokenURL=true&storeNum=5000&subdeptNum=24&classNum=460 | ||
| Peter River (Whitebus)
Registered Member Username: Whitebus Post Number: 24 Registered: 4-2009 Posted From: 208.54.14.104 Rating: N/A |
Craig, thanks for the research. they sure are nice looking, but I will be installing them on the outside, so I am looking for something that locks. | ||
| David Lower (Dave_l)
Registered Member Username: Dave_l Post Number: 137 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 67.58.201.132  Rating: N/A |
Peter Just keep in mind you may need those open spaces to repair or sevice the coach and that there is not any moving parts that need the space. Dave L | ||
| Dan West (Utahclaimjumper)
Registered Member Username: Utahclaimjumper Post Number: 173 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 208.66.38.115 Rating: N/A |
Also if the light can get at them, you will have BUGS in your shower.>>>Dan | ||
| Peter River (Whitebus)
Registered Member Username: Whitebus Post Number: 27 Registered: 4-2009 Posted From: 204.62.111.51 Rating: N/A |
yikes. well I know I don't want bugs. what do you recommend, black plastic? chlorine tablets? My drinking water supply is going to be separate, gravity fed system, so no worries about it making me sick. | ||
| Dan West (Utahclaimjumper)
Registered Member Username: Utahclaimjumper Post Number: 174 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 208.66.38.60 Rating: N/A |
You certainly want to keep light from reaching your potible water as much is possible, thats why mine are stainless steel.>>>Dan | ||
| Keith Wood (Ft6)
Registered Member Username: Ft6 Post Number: 102 Registered: 8-2008 Posted From: 75.208.98.50 Rating: N/A |
"Be careful putting things that can break near wheel wells. The energy distributed by a disintegrating tire is tremendous. Sheet Metal will never be sufficient. I doubt 1/4" plate would be enough to contain a tire failure." No, but a couple of tanks full of water would go a long way toward absorbing that energy. That is, in fact, the same principle used by crash attenuators. With that thought in mind, I think this would be a great place for the tanks, with the understanding that they are expendable. | ||
| Keith Wood (Ft6)
Registered Member Username: Ft6 Post Number: 103 Registered: 8-2008 Posted From: 75.208.98.50 Rating: N/A |
"He could skip the pump and temp switch the fire would melt the plastic right?" Not until too late for clean water to do any good. IF you want to hit burning brakes with water (not always a given), you want to do it before the tire joins the party. | ||
| Craig Campbell (Craig_4104012)
Registered Member Username: Craig_4104012 Post Number: 32 Registered: 2-2009 Posted From: 173.114.39.114 Rating: N/A |
when is it the right time to hit burning brakes with water? |