Bay headers or walls

[mc8 tin tent]

  Ok Guys
I need a little help and could use some for your insight !
My problem is I need to store the poles for a large tent in the bays of my mci 8,this will require the cutting  a 12" x 12" opening in the top middle bay side walls at just below the main coach floor,I plan to reinforce the opening with 1 1/2  x1/4 angle around the openings on each side wall. Has any one tried this ??
     Thanks in advance for your input!!
        Dwayne

[Sojourner]

If you will send a photo of the section with tape that show where you want to cut. Maybe we can be more direct help without the confusing or guessing of what area you are concern about.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry

[chazwood]

 Having to insert long poles into the bays at an angle means you need quite a bit of dedicated room in the bays. Why not fabricate a long, shallow, storage rack under the bus?

[oldmansax]

or  how about a "ladder rack" on top the bus?

TOM

[Sam 4106]

Hi mc8 tin tent,
You may not be aware of it, and it may not work for you, but a round hole will weaken your bulkheads  less than square holes. Even radiusing the corners on a square hole will be stronger than square corners.
Thanks, Sam 4106

[cody]

Is there any way to create a joint in the poles? I carry glue clamps that can be up to 10ft long for my sawdust projects and use 3/4 inch pipe with a coupling, that way no section is over 5 ft, that length allows them to fit in broom holders along the partition wall, just a thought. My partitions on my eagle are also an open frame work so I can feed 8ft material into the back bay above the tanks by sliding it into the tunnel between the axles.

[tekebird]

12x12 should not be much of an issue, I would go round or as round as possible, square corners have a high probability of cracking outward from the corners during stresses.

[jlaney]

hello from texas
i put up a 12/20 tent for several years, i built up the floor about 4 in in the bay i have my black/gray tank. instead of trying to use 10 ft rails i cut them to fit
a six foot span and used more cross sections. i used the top rails for a steel wire fence which are 13/8 in . and use a 20/12 top cover. you can get them
with flaps for over hang. j.t.

[Sojourner]

Dwayne....if you would sent us a photo or more before we can truly recommend the correct suggestion. There is a belt-line frame as well tunnel frame. By all mean don't cut into the belt-line or your in trouble.
Without something to see with our eyes....no 2 person are thinking the same thing on board, period.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry

[captain ron]

If you are still pretty much a steel tent you mat be able to store them in the air return tunnel inside under your floor. There's always more than one way to skin a cat.

[mc8 tin tent]

Jerry thanks Im working on the photos

Chazwood- Good idea but I have a hump in my drive way and ant less room I may high center.Thanks

Tom-- Thanks but I am  keeping  the roof as clean/clear as possible (but in 20 yrs. it could make the cut for funny est. home videos - hay yal watch this -friends may call from......etc.)

Cody---Yes I could cut the the poles down ... but knowing what I just paid for this tent  My bride may have me full timing  before Im ready

Sam and Techbird   Thanks round it will be ,and reinforced .  now to find the location..

CharleyD.... good idea !! how long are these ducts?,how do I gain access ?,and what about sliding the poles in from the engine compartment ?

   THANKS EVERY ONE I KNEW I COULD COUNT ON YOU
            Dwayne

[Sojourner]

Jerry thanks Im working on the photos

CharleyD.... good idea !! how long are these ducts?,how do I gain access ?,and what about sliding the poles in from the engine compartment ?

   THANKS EVERY ONE I KNEW I COULD COUNT ON YOU
            Dwayne

1) Good...be waiting.

2) No, if you mean the center tunneling from engine to front. There is reinforce channels crosses before the last bay and 2 more in front of first bay.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry

[HighTechRedneck]

2) No, if you mean the center tunneling from engine to front. There is reinforce channels crosses before the last bay and 2 more in front of first bay.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry

Maybe put in a trap door in the floor at the appropriate location towards the front?

[captain ron]

The tunnel I'm talking about is the air return tunnel. You could make an opening in the front breast plate with a door of some type and slide them in that way. The tunnel is almost the length of the interior floor. It would work and with a good fabricator it could be made to work really slick and look really nice. I'll take a closer look tomorrow and give you some ideas.