technique for finding roof trusses

[H3Jim]

I am putting awnings and solar panels on my roof and needed to make sure I found exactly where the roof supports are so I can fasten things securely.  The trusses are steel, and the roof is aluminum, so by dragging a magnet around the roof, I can tell exactly where the supports are.  And get screws to find solid support for my additions.

I thought this technique might be helpful information to the board.

[Kwajdiver]

Thank you, was wondering how to find them.

Will that work on the sides of the bus?  I'm going to need and cut a hole for a dryer vent.

Bill

[JackConrad]

If the skin on the side of your bus is aluminum with steel framing, it will work.  Jack

[Paso One]

You guys living in the warm climate kill me   Today is -31 wind chill -42 

If I was to warm up the bus I would see the complete skeleton of the bus as it warms.

  Aren't  we lucky !  we couldn't possibly miss drilling a hole.  

Good luck Jim I envy you being able to work on the bus     with the current issue

[skipn]

Paso is right but my biggest problem is trying to stay on. I really don't want to use ice cleats on the top of my bus LOL.


   Skip

[bobofthenorth]

Good point Paso - I was trying to figure out just the other day how I was going to find something to attach an awning to.  All I need to do is wait for a less-cold day, fire up the furnace & mark the ribs with a marking pen.  Thanks.

I get teased mercilessly every summer for not having an awning.  Whenever it rains my buddy stands under his awning and hollers at me about how nice it is to have an awning in the rain - similarly when shade is required.  Personally I think that an awning looks fugly on a bus but I'm coming around to thinking that we should have one anyway.

[H3Jim]

Bob,

A friend made his awnings run from front to back so they kind of look like part of the bus roof line.  He has an H model like me, and I intend to do the same.  I think it actually looks good, and it helpd hide the other stuff I am putting on the roof.  However you have those great looking windows with the curve on top.

It did rain on me a little yesterday when I was up on the roof. Then late in the day the wind came up a little and it got too cold to be up there, I think it got down to 55 or so....

[Kristinsgrandpa]

Kwajdiver, some people put their dryer vents thru the floor, thats where mine is going  (it's on the list)

For a good looking awning installation, see of you can find a picture of Jack Conrad's. Very neat custom installation.

Ed

[Kwajdiver]

If your venting through the floor, aren't you collecting dust and lent in the bay.

Bill W.
Still in Little Rock