Hang Hammock off Side of Bus?

[GnarlyBus]

I'm interested in hanging a hammock off the side of my bus. I got some sweet hammocks down in Mexico last year but I never get to use them because everywhere I camp either bans hanging things from trees or doesn't have any.

Let me first say that I have the feeling that most of you guys wouldn't ever do this to your bus, but I'm looking for some structural engineering input from people who understand the strength of these buses better than myself.

1) I initially considered adding hooks inside the bus on the ceiling bolted through the roof frame member. Would that be ok to do, structurally?

2) My preferred method is to create a sort of flip down L-bracket (see photo of ikea coat hanger that is similar in concept to what I'm thinking) that would come off the bus maybe 18-24" and hold one end of the hammock. I was thinking of bolting them though the riveted frame beams on the side of the bus below the windows but above the stainless.

What do ya think?

[eagle19952]

Folding hammock frame:

[bevans6]

"1) I initially considered adding hooks inside the bus on the ceiling bolted through the roof frame member. Would that be ok to do, structurally?"

Yes, the central spine of the roof frame is well strong enough to hold a hammock plus a normal person.  When you walk on the roof it is as solid as can be.

"2) My preferred method is to create a sort of flip down L-bracket (see photo of ikea coat hanger that is similar in concept to what I'm thinking) that would come off the bus maybe 18-24" and hold one end of the hammock. I was thinking of bolting them though the riveted frame beams on the side of the bus below the windows but above the stainless."

There are two "hard points" on the side of your bus - the floor of the passenger compartment and the floor of the luggage bays.  Use those as the mounting points, tie into the steel framing, and triangulate your frames up from the bottom.  The load will push in towards the bus at the bottom, and out from the bus at the top, and you can extend out a few feet to get room for the hammock.  Under the windows is the weakest point in the whole bus monocoque structure, framed in light steel with aluminium skinning, and with big holes for the windows.  Don't tie in there.

Brian

[Oonrahnjay]

Folding hammock frame:   

    Oh, yeah.  I want one of those ... and a hammock, too ...

[Scott & Heather]

We hung a hammock over the drivers area for a while in our former mci 9 coach. Was perfect for relaxing. I'd like to do that again in our new coach. You steel frame members are more than strong enough as long as you know the weight rating of your flip down hooks. We've had three adults in our hammock without issues.


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