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Peter River (Whitebus)
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Username: Whitebus

Post Number: 49
Registered: 4-2009
Posted From: 208.54.14.40


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Posted on Monday, May 11, 2009 - 5:40 pm:   

like a camping trailer type, automatically raising ceiling that would accomodate a bedroom?

by the way, what is the best way to raise about 1000lbs using 6 hydroaulic/pneumatic cylinders, tied together to lift synchronized, and also able to lock down when fully retracted?

(Message edited by WhiteBus on May 11, 2009)
hiwaycallin (Hiwaycallin)
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Post Number: 43
Registered: 10-2007
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Posted on Monday, May 11, 2009 - 5:44 pm:   

Yep, I've got one of those (upper floor bedroom that is). Love it.

(Message edited by hiwaycallin on May 11, 2009)
Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
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Posted on Monday, May 11, 2009 - 7:09 pm:   

I think
cutting the roof loose on most buses to enable it to raise up for a second floor while parked would seriously compromise the structural integrity. Jack
L James Jones Jr (Jamo)
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Username: Jamo

Post Number: 65
Registered: 11-2007
Posted From: 24.59.114.248


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Posted on Monday, May 11, 2009 - 7:18 pm:   

Just roll a sleeping bag out on the roof and sleep under the stars. Animals couldn't get at you, most of 'em anyway. You could even build a fire in one of those raised portable fireplaces on legs. And you could have your wife run down to fetch beers from the fridge as necessary. Yup...that's what I'd do...
'Course I'd be single soon enough & have to get my own beers...
Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
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Posted on Monday, May 11, 2009 - 9:01 pm:   

I think that an upper floor is a great idea!

My bus

(Note: I "photoshopped" this to see how a "deck" off the upper floor would work -- but there isn't room for a practical deck so the real bus has a "squareback" -- this is the only picture that the software would allow.)

(Message edited by oonrahnjay on May 11, 2009)
RJ Long (Rjlong)
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Posted on Monday, May 11, 2009 - 10:44 pm:   

Peter -

Depending on it's construction, your coach may, or may not be, monocoque or semi-monocoque.

Basically, what this means is that the outer skin of the coach is either the entire frame or part of the frame.

Think empty beer can. Think what happens to the structural ridgity of the beer can if you dent the side slightly. Or cut a hole in it.

Simple analogy, yet still applies.

FWIW & HTH. . .

:-)
marvin pack (Gomer)
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Posted on Monday, May 11, 2009 - 10:53 pm:   

Buy the senicruiser mentioned on the thread and put a basement in it. Duh that would be better I think? At least it won't be too high for the bridges.

Gomer
Clint Hunter (Truthhunter)
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Username: Truthhunter

Post Number: 179
Registered: 1-2009
Posted From: 24.129.235.190


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Posted on Monday, May 11, 2009 - 11:41 pm:   

I created a deck & half out of two electric trolley buses way back when, just tow-bared it around like a trailer. The sleeping area was the half deck top, you could not stand up in it if you were more than 3 feet tall. Just cut the top of the bus I scraped and riveted it on top and cut a small hatch in the roof of the bottom bus. Just one of many frivolous ideas that would of been best left on the drawing board; but it did work until I was literally bitched out of my own bus. Lesson was learned on that bus; on my current MC 8 the sign next to the entrance once said "seats 47" in now says "seats 1" (Dogs count as crew, not passengers)
Peter River (Whitebus)
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Username: Whitebus

Post Number: 51
Registered: 4-2009
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Posted on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - 1:40 am:   

I wouldn't dream of altering the frame of the bus.

access through the existing hatch, the only thing I would do is to cut a small holes for lift cylinders, which would lift a cap on top of the bus, which will contain a foam mattress sitting on the top of the bus.
Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
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Post Number: 1061
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Posted on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - 8:15 am:   

Here is a different approach. We had a fellow busnut from Australia visit us last weekend (sans bus). He was showing us photos of his GM 4107, with the driver's seat on the right and the entry door on the left. Inside the bus, there are steps that go into the bay. The bathroom is in the bay and under the kitchen counter. Between the high bays and space under the kitchen counter, he has a little over 6' of headroom.
Mike Eades (Mike4905)
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Post Number: 189
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Posted From: 97.106.122.149

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Posted on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - 7:13 pm:   

If you are serious and want to look at a bus made the way you want. Check out a new van hool touring bus. Double deck and still legal. Just to give you some ideas. Mike
Jim Gibson (River_rat)
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Username: River_rat

Post Number: 43
Registered: 1-2009
Posted From: 70.101.227.194

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Posted on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 - 12:37 pm:   

I've thought about doing something like a open-up tent like pop-top tent trailer. It would be build onto a roof deck, without anything more than a hatch to get up. Acutally a nice flat deck and just pitch a tent is not a bad idea either - lots simpler!
Jim
Peter River (Whitebus)
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Username: Whitebus

Post Number: 53
Registered: 4-2009
Posted From: 24.234.166.174


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Posted on Saturday, May 16, 2009 - 1:47 am:   

jack, that's amazing that he has a basement that's 6' tall. heck, if I had that much room to work with I wouldn't need a perch on top...
Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
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Post Number: 1066
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Posted on Saturday, May 16, 2009 - 7:35 am:   

"Jack, that's amazing that he has a basement that's 6' tall."

His bay is approx. 3' tall and 3' of space under the kitchen counter. Of course, there is no storage under that part of the kitchen counter
Peter River (Whitebus)
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Username: Whitebus

Post Number: 58
Registered: 4-2009
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Posted on Sunday, May 17, 2009 - 5:44 am:   

ah, I finally get it.

that's very clever. not something I even considered, but now I will be measuring places to cut into :-)
Cullen Newsom (Cullennewsom)
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Username: Cullennewsom

Post Number: 64
Registered: 2-2009
Posted From: 98.201.161.214

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Posted on Friday, June 05, 2009 - 4:06 pm:   

These fellers do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83zSxu5qFp8

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