roof raise or not to roof raise

[Jim Blackwood]

I don't recall the spec on roof height of the DL3 but I'm 6'2 and have plenty of room to run a 2x3 stud across the ceiling flatways, do a finished door opening and not worry about hitting my head so there's that. Insulation would be nice but I'm not tearing up a perfectly good ceiling to get it.

Jim

[Sebulba]

Yes, I really like the idea of the spray foam for insulation.

I was watching a video about how Marathon converts.  It seems they insulate the outside of the roof, I assume with foam, and then cap it with an outer cap.  That is ingenious.

Seb

The spray foam also has the added benefit to firm up the body and quiet the interior.

[chessie4905]

There are many persons doing a spray foaming business on Facebook Market place. I was suprised how many. Just search insulation on there.

[Jim Blackwood]

The idea of capping the roof sounds interesting, wonder how they do the ends?

For heat, any device that shades the roof is a benefit. Solar panels come to mind.

Jim

[Sebulba]

I thought so too.  They didn't go into detail, but it seemed that's what was said.  I imagine the cap is a cap with the ends integrated.

Seb

The idea of capping the roof sounds interesting, wonder how they do the ends?

For heat, any device that shades the roof is a benefit. Solar panels come to mind.

Jim

[windtrader]

There is very little discussion about insulating the exterior roof for those concerned about the loss of interior height due to the insulation. It seems insulation covered by a shell would work fine. Seems a whole lot less work and cost than a roof raise.


Not a new idea as there was a special MC5, Dave has one, that were deployed in the Middle East, that added external material for added insulation.

[chessie4905]

Attaching a second roof over the existing one may be more trouble than it's  worth.

[Jim Blackwood]

I could see doing it if you were going solar, but then I have no intention of living in the bus in the cold, so leaving an air gap between the roof and the solar array should improve things without the need for extra insulation. Done right, a rig like that could be built with deployable panels that also serve as the awning. Of course, we're all still waiting on inexpensive but efficient solar panels that hold up to the environment.

Jim

[windtrader]

Of course, we're all still waiting on inexpensive but efficient solar panels that hold up to the environment.

Jim

There aren't many reports of current tech solar panels having durability or reliability issues.

[eagle19952]

No matter what you decide...more BTU heat and Ton of AC increase will be spent. A little more cost less than a roof raise.
No matter how many windows you eliminate...you still have the windshield...note: more cooling.
More cooling/heat is always welcome.
unless you are 6' 3" and wear heels...then maybe raise the roof.
This means zip if you have bushels of cash

[luvrbus]

Roof raises are that expensive to do and you don't need a engineering degree to do one   

[Jim Blackwood]

I think a roof raise would be a good idea in a coach that is short, or already has issues with the sides, and where a set of raised caps are readily available. But when you can buy a coach under $10K that doesn't need one and is more modern in a good many other ways, to me it doesn't make sense. My DL3 will remain unmolested. But if you do feel the roof raise is necessary, first and foremost be sure you are competent in your welding skills. If there is any doubt at all, take a trade school welding course. That will hone your skills to the point of competence at least. Then study the use of triangulation in construction methods so you can apply it to your plans. To say engineering skills are not needed isn't exactly accurate because the designers and builders of those coaches certainly didn't take that approach. You could very easily compromise the upper structure to the point where it could be unsafe. Sadly the average person is not blessed with an innate sense of how to estimate structural strengths and weaknesses. Lifting the roof adds leverage, and leverage creates stresses that the existing structure was never meant to handle. So to be safe, additional reinforcement is needed in key areas. Do you know how to do that? Do you know what those key areas are? Additional members to triangulate and carry those stresses are a real good idea, as are gussets in places where they can be added.

Lots of roof raises have been done but just because a roof hasn't fallen down doesn't make it safe. You don't want to be the test dummy for this one.

Jim

[luvrbus]

I think a roof raise would be a good idea in a coach that is short, or already has issues with the sides, and where a set of raised caps are readily available. But when you can buy a coach under $10K that doesn't need one and is more modern in a good many other ways, to me it doesn't make sense. My DL3 will remain unmolested. But if you do feel the roof raise is necessary, first and foremost be sure you are competent in your welding skills. If there is any doubt at all, take a trade school welding course. That will hone your skills to the point of competence at least. Then study the use of triangulation in construction methods so you can apply it to your plans. To say engineering skills are not needed isn't exactly accurate because the designers and builders of those coaches certainly didn't take that approach. You could very easily compromise the upper structure to the point where it could be unsafe. Sadly the average person is not blessed with an innate sense of how to estimate structural strengths and weaknesses. Lifting the roof adds leverage, and leverage creates stresses that the existing structure was never meant to handle. So to be safe, additional reinforcement is needed in key areas. Do you know how to do that? Do you know what those key areas are? Additional members to triangulate and carry those stresses are a real good idea, as are gussets in places where they can be added.

Lots of roof raises have been done but just because a roof hasn't fallen down doesn't make it safe. You don't want to be the test dummy for this one.

Jim

It is a mute point anyways people like roof raises or they don't like BW says we all roll our own,there is not much holding the roof up to start with above the windows   

[buswarrior]

And there's plenty of examples of natural selection taking place amongst the abandoned projects scattered across the landscape.

They weren't too interested in listening... not much point in typing too many words of advice.

Either you got it, or you don't.

Internet seems to embolden the least capable...

Survival of the fittest

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[Sebulba]

Well said.

I appreciate all of the insight.  I have learned a lot from all of the comments on this thread ( not to mention, the entire forum )

My conclusion.  I like to not feel cramped.  If and when I aquire a bus I will probably try to find one those that are higher from the factory.  It does that the newer ones are in this category.  Maybe one that is raised, but I will scrutinize well.

Thank you so much for all of your insight and knowledge.  The pool of information ( and opinions) never ceases.to amaze me.

As an aside I watch YT videos about bus conversions. A lot of them are skoolies and the tone a quality of that content is, well, embarrassing at times, compared to the solid insight here.
  Kudos

Sebp

And there's plenty of examples of natural selection taking place amongst the abandoned projects scattered across the landscape.

They weren't too interested in listening... not much point in typing too many words of advice.

Either you got it, or you don't.

Internet seems to embolden the least capable...

Survival of the fittest

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior