Any reasons not to use a motorhome entry door on a bus?

[belfert]

The hinge does not have to go the full length of the door.

The door is something like 108" tall.  Would a single hinge that can only go up 48" work okay?  I'm not sure how the door could be secured at the top since it is so tall and it isn't very structurally strong.

I'm open to suggestions as I'm not a metalworker.

[gumpy]

So add some steel to the existing door to beef it up. Hinge it along the bottom half. Leave your windows in and skin it well.
It'll be fine.

You could even modify the upper part so it closes like a safe door, with protruding knobs along the hinged edge that fit
into matching recesses in the frame when it's closed. That way the suction can't pull the top outward.

[jjrbus]

Here is a door fabricated for an Eagle by Sojourner,the Exulted Grand Master of master fabricators. The door is 92 inch tall with a 45 inch heavy duty stainless hinge.. The material, glass, lock, hinge,  paying to have things formed at fabricating shop comes to about $1000.
Some options you may have are adding metal to existing door to strengthen. A large piece of glass put in with adhesive will also strengthen door.  Adding a 2nd latch at top of door or reducing the height of the opening. Reducing the height would be my first choice if possible. HTH Jim

     

[DrivingMissLazy]

You could even modify the upper part so it closes like a safe door, with protruding knobs along the hinged edge that fit
into matching recesses in the frame when it's closed. That way the suction can't pull the top outward.

Now there is a true engineer thinking outside the box, in my opinion. Great idea, Gumpy.
Richard

[gumpy]

Thanks Richard. I've been thinking about that for awhile, for a couple of reasons.

It would probably only take one nub towards the top to keep it from pulling out.

Now, if you're really interested in security, you could install several slide bolts like they do in bank vaults 

[buswarrior]

Hello.

The newer MCI E and J models have an air powered wedge lock at the top of the entrance door to pull the seals tight against wind noise.

In the older ones, it was mid way up the opening side, where a door catch would conventionally be located.

Something else to add to the creativity!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[belfert]

Another issue that can probably be overcome for reusing the existing door is the glass is near impossible to remove.  The window glass rubber is at least an inch thick.  I had an auto glass guy try to pop the glass out and he gave up because he was afraid he would break it.  I also wasn't sure I could get a seal if needed.  I wanted the glass and rubber seal out so I could remove the fiberglass door skin on the inside which goes under the rubber seal.  (I no longer care if the fiberglass is broken or not.)

I think maybe I'll talk to Craig about bringing the bus over for him to look at the door and offer some advice.

I really care that I have a functional door.  I don't care so much if the door matches the lines of the bus exactly.

[akmc5]

here's a pic of my door, less than $300 and about 5 hrs to build. all steel construction.  once I get it skinned, (when I find a good deal on some stainless) it'll look stock. seals up tight so there is no wind noise. I'm pretty happy with it so far. 

I wouldn't recommend using piano hinge though.  It's just too crappy.  get a couple heavy duty marine hinges.  I'll probably cut the piano hinge off this door and use better hinges when I find what I want.

[Dreamscape]

Very nice job. Great workmanship! We have a very large piano hinge on our Eagle, works great for us. We have a small vertical glass section for seeing down low outside for close encounters.

Happy Trails,

Paul

Dreamscape

[belfert]

I ended up going with an RV door as I have almost zero metalworking skills.  My job is more complex as the opening needed to be reframed.

I supposed to get my bus back this evening.  Total cost will be about $1100 to purchase an RV door and get it installed.

[Busted Knuckle]

I ended up going with an RV door as I have almost zero metalworking skills.  My job is more complex as the opening needed to be reframed.

I supposed to get my bus back this evening.  Total cost will be about $1100 to purchase an RV door and get it installed.

PICTURES! PICTURES! PICTURES!

We wanna see pictures!
  BK 










did I mention we'd like to see some pictures?

[Hi yo silver]

I, for one, am incensed!  To put a door from an S&S is tantamount to puttin' a screen door on a submarine!  Just kidding. 
Dennis 

[belfert]

I can't take pictures of something that doesn't exist.  My bus isn't back yet.   Supposed to be back in an hour, but my camera batteries are dead.  I need to find the charger.

[Buffalo SpaceShip]

I can't take pictures of something that doesn't exist.  My bus isn't back yet.   Supposed to be back in an hour, but my camera batteries are dead.  I need to find the charger.

Shhhh.... Brian's just buying some time on the BBS here, since he's not quite happy with the job. Don't tell him, but I snuck over and took this pic of his new door on his Dina...

   

[Dallas]

I can't take pictures of something that doesn't exist.  My bus isn't back yet.   Supposed to be back in an hour, but my camera batteries are dead.  I need to find the charger.

Shhhh.... Brian's just buying some time on the BBS here, since he's not quite happy with the job. Don't tell him, but I snuck over and took this pic of his new door on his Dina...

   

That's a damn fine lookin' door ya got there Brian!