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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: brettpearson67 on May 24, 2020, 01:12:03 PM

Title: Interior metal wall panels structural?
Post by: brettpearson67 on May 24, 2020, 01:12:03 PM
I am wondering if the panels that I have removed from the interior walls(and ceilings?) of my 96A3 (and other buses, such as eagles)are structural and if they need to be re-installed? I don't see people doing this on their conversions.
Title: Re: Interior metal wall panels structural?
Post by: Jim Blackwood on May 24, 2020, 01:30:26 PM
Dunno Brett, might depend on how much weight you plan to carry.

Jim
Title: Re: Interior metal wall panels structural?
Post by: brettpearson67 on May 24, 2020, 01:33:30 PM
Quote from: Jim Blackwood on May 24, 2020, 01:30:26 PM
Dunno Brett, might depend on how much weight you plan to carry.

Jim

No more than any other typical conversion coach.
Title: Re: Interior metal wall panels structural?
Post by: 6805eagleguy on May 24, 2020, 03:57:32 PM
Eagles don't rely on any structural panels, I think mci's do? :-\
Title: Re: Interior metal wall panels structural?
Post by: buswarrior on May 24, 2020, 04:43:55 PM
Age old question, and getting more complicated with newer coaches...

Many an online friendship has been destroyed arguing about these matters.

The panels were there for HVAC purposes?

How easily were they removed? Structural elements are rarely "easy" ...

What's left to hold your bus together?

External skin glued on or rivets?

Nobody can decide except you. The rest of us took our gambles, following us might not be in your budget, both risk management and financial?

Less than helpful, but sometimes, there's no advice, pick your poison and live with it?

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

Title: Re: Interior metal wall panels structural?
Post by: Iceni John on May 24, 2020, 11:31:31 PM
My rule of thumb is whether big 1/4" structural rivets spaced every inch are used, or instead are there 3/16" pop rivets spaced much more widely?   Pretty much all my bus's exterior and interior is built with the former, with the latter only for the ceiling inside.   So, if it's the former, I don't mess with it!

John
Title: Re: Interior metal wall panels structural?
Post by: Scott & Heather on June 01, 2020, 03:49:58 AM
A lot of us who converted our own coaches removed those. We did. If you're lining the inside with wood, you'll be plenty structurally sound.