RAISING THE ROOF ON A 102A3

[hargreaves]

Now I'm really getting into it. After spending a week stripping it, "you guys were right about the shitter-tough job"  I have decided to raise the roof. I'm buying the caps from R&M . The question is "to all those who have been through this before" do I leave the windows  ( the ones that I am keeping) the same height as they are now or do I raise them the 8"? My better half thinks they will look out of place if I raise them. Is there an issue with couches, counters etc, if I leave them at the original height?  Any comments would be appreciated.  Also any other issues that I should know about before I go ahead and raise.Thanks Gerry

[DrivingMissLazy]

The windows on my Eagle were raised 8 inches and that ended up with not being able to see out while sittling on the couch or swivel chairs. My wife really had a problem with that. She could only see the tree limbs. Nothing just outside the coach.

Richard

[TrevorH]

Maybe split it?  Like 4 on bottom and 4 on top?  That was what I was thinking about when I do mine.  As long as it doesnt add too much complexity.

[Stormcloud]

I placed the windows in my 'living room' area lower to be able to see out when seated. The windows in the kitchen and dining area were placed as high as possible, as we are either seated (somewhat higher) at the table, or we're standing in the kitchen. The bedroom windows (rearward most) were installed same height  as the central windows, and we can see out fine while seated on the bed or standing in the bedroom. It seems to work for us (I'm 6'4" and Mrs. is 5'2").

Regards.

Mark

[hargreaves]

To my fellow Canadian, Mark do you have any photos, my wife can't visualize. Gerry

[JackConrad]

If I recall correctly, Fred Hobe told me he only raises 102s 6". This allows him to use 4' sheets to cover the window openings. An 8" raise requires using 5' wide sheets and scrapping 10' off each sheet. Might want to do some measuring before you start cutting. We did as the others did. Living room windows are lower, kitchen window is higher and bedroom is in-between height wise.  Jack

[hargreaves]

Thanks Jack, I didn't even think of that aspect. I guess I would have to cut 2" off of the caps, I guess that is no big deal. Gerry

[Stormcloud]

Hi, Gerry:

We're in the midst of a minor blizzard here...I'll try to get some photos tomorrow and post here. I can't believe I don't have any photos already in this 'puter.

Stay warm.

Mark

[Stormcloud]

Gerry:

Attached is a photo of the passenger side of Papabus. You can see that the forewardmost windows are set a bit lower. This is the 'living room' area, and the area occupied when travelling. The windows are low enough to see out comfortably when seated in this area.....BUT....

I can't see a thing along the passenger side when driving, so I will be placing a camera at the rearview mirror looking rearwards that shows the passenger side below the window line. The monitor I have can switch between 2 cameras, and since I always have a toad behind when travelling, I have the 'backup' camera active anyway; I'll feel much safer turning right when I know what is (or isn't) there.

The window towards the rear is at the kitchen table, and when seated there we are on standard kitchen/dining room chairs, so we're up a bit higher than when relaxing in the livingroom. The window opposite is at the kitchen sink, and the windows in the MBR (although not shown) and are the same size as at the table, and in the same position.

Regards.

Mark

[Dallas]

Gerry:

Attached is a photo of the passenger side of Papabus. You can see that the forewardmost windows are set a bit lower. This is the 'living room' area, and the area occupied when travelling. The windows are low enough to see out comfortably when seated in this area.....BUT....

I can't see a thing along the passenger side when driving, so I will be placing a camera at the rearview mirror looking rearwards that shows the passenger side below the window line. The monitor I have can switch between 2 cameras, and since I always have a toad behind when travelling, I have the 'backup' camera active anyway; I'll feel much safer turning right when I know what is (or isn't) there.

The window towards the rear is at the kitchen table, and when seated there we are on standard kitchen/dining room chairs, so we're up a bit higher than when relaxing in the livingroom. The window opposite is at the kitchen sink, and the windows in the MBR (although not shown) and are the same size as at the table, and in the same position.

Regards.

Mark

Umm, Just because electronics are fun, don't plan on depending on them.

Install a lower window in your door and add a short close in west coast mirror.

Electronics fail, usually at the most inopportune times, like when you are trying to change lanes to the right in a rain storm. Mirrors don't fail unless the get hit, broken or moisture eats the silvering.

Good Luck!

[dparker]

FWIW,

I have completed my conversion of my mc7 - looking back if i could change anything i would have raised the roof -- the extra time that it would have taken would have been saved over and over again doing the conversion work on the inside -- radius work takes 4 times the time than square work -- i could have insulated better roughed in wires, ducts -- etc -- but to the spirit of this question -- i would have changed to modern windows designed for rv's ... they would not leak, have air noise, rattle, etc -- easy to it now -- hard to do it at the stage that i am at --

david

[JackConrad]

I have heard several people say "I wish I had raised my roof", but I have never heard anyone say "I wish I hadn't raised my roof".  Roof raises are not for everyone, but consider all factors before starting the interior.  Jack
PS: same goes for insulating your bus.