| Author |
Message |
Marvin (65.35.116.113)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 9:09 pm: | |
.
Has anyone used a synthetic composite instead of the
normal plywood sheeting for bus flooring .
I have been told that this stuff is 1/3 the weight of
plywood and 10 times as strong .
20 sheets of 1/2" or 3/4" plywood used in a 45' bus
floor would save a huge amount of weight and help
with the axle loading weights .
Prevost uses a double layer of 3/4" plywood with a
layer of lead foam insulation in between .
Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated .
. |
Nick Russell (66.82.9.65)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 10:48 pm: | |
We used 3/4 inch composite 4x8 foot fiberglass sheets over the original playwood in our MCI-8. Very strong, and much lighter. We got it from Engineered Bonded Structures in Elkhart, Indiana. Contact there is Ben Pearson, phone number is 574-266-3471. |
Nick Russell (66.82.9.65)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 10:49 pm: | |
Oops, that would be plywood, not playwood |
Adame (129.82.52.236)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 11:53 pm: | |
A friend who works for a bus manufacturer here in Colorado gave me this name: Greenwood Forest Products. www.greenwoodproducts.com
They make bus flooring which is 8 ply, 3/4". It has a flexible rubber layer between the third and fourth ply which seems to be meant to absorb vibration. I think they use one layer. |
James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.61.132)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 1:24 am: | |
Don't know where u put 20 4x8 sheets in a 45' unless your doing the ceiling also. My 40' used 8 sheets on the floor, 5/8 t&g over 3/4 8ply marine. 25 sheets of 3/8 did all walls and ceiling. |
Marvin (65.35.116.113)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 11:14 am: | |
.
An on-going dialog with Prevost product managers
and the engineers show that Prevost has considered the synthetic flooring , but they admit that the process to bring it to production
could take 2 to 3 years .
The use of synthetic flooring could save 1k lbs
of weight - that translates into better fuel
mileage , better braking , and increased cargo
capacity if necessary. This would apply to any
brand of motorcoach or RV .
As bus converters , we face a major problem with axle weights and the new state rules that are
now being enforced on some toll roads .
Some states are now enforcing a 20k lb axle rule
regardless of the capability of the axle . The
current Prevost drive axle is 22.5k , but to be
legal 20k is the max limit .
I am documenting procedures to bring the final production weight well under current trends . The
idea is to provide the same longevity with a big
weight distribution and reduction .
I have an approved conversion design that will
scale at 43k wet . The Prevost GVWR is 54.5k .
The use of synthetic flooring will bring this down to 42k ! |