I am new to CRVL.

[JayC]

:heart:  Hello, I am JayC and I am brand new here to your forum. I live in Phoenix Arizona and am in the process of living the nomadic tribe lifestyle I have been hearing about. Even if I start out part-time, it is still a start. I am excited to get started. Too bad I missed the RTR this year, but hopefully before the next one I can come and camp a little too. I am most looking forward to adding a roof rack to my rig that can hold solar panels and a little more. 
   So anyway, greeting to everyone and I hope I too can be part of this community. ~JayC

     In case anyone is wondering I recently purchased a 2008 Ford E450 6.0 diesel handicap shuttle bus. I am attempting a conversion from bus to RV. I am especially interested in putting solar on the roof of the bus, maybe a custom rack to hold it too. I just don't know what kind of support is in the ceiling to know if it can structurally hold the weight. I have been trying to find diagrams or schematics or mfg detail online but have not come up with anything yet. If anyone has any suggestions on where I can find some info that would pertain to my quest, please let me know. I am not very mechanical, but I really want to try, I figure a forum like this will be a great resource because of all the knowledge you all have. So thank you for being here. 

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome Jay to the CRVL forums! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you. the first thing I would do is do some research on the Ford 6.0 diesel. highdesertranger

 

[JayC]

Thank you for your welcome and your advice on areas I can look. I will certainly check into tips tricks to find any info on my subject. Thank you for getting back to me.   JayC[/color]

Oh, you are the "stupid moderator", are you moderating me because I am stupid or I asked stupid questions?

 

[B and C]

Welcome JayC. HDR (highdesertranger) is a nice guy and would never call anyone stupid but himself. It is his tongue in cheek way of poking fun at himself. A forum you may want to look at is the miscellaneous vehicles section. It will contain some threads like your shuttle bus. https://vanlivingforum.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=7

Another one you might want to check is the solar one: https://vanlivingforum.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=18

 

[bluegoatwoods]

Glad to meetcha, JayC.

I'm a newbie around here with only limited experience using a small vehicle as overnight shelter and living space. So I'm not going to have much advice for you. That's no problem, though, since experience here has already taught me that there are helpful and knowledgeable folks on board.

You have an E-450 van? You shouldn't have any trouble mounting cargo rack and solar panels. I won't attempt to speculate on just how that's to be done. But you surely have a van that's capable of it. It ought to be a good rig.

 

[Souleem]

Hi JayC.

Nice to meet you.

I hope your bus conversion goes well!

Alma

 

[JayC]

Welcome JayC.  HDR (highdesertranger) is a nice guy and would never call anyone stupid but himself.  It is his tongue in cheek way of poking fun at himself.  A forum you may want to look at is the miscellaneous vehicles section.  It will contain some threads like your shuttle bus.  https://vanlivingforum.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=7

Another one you might want to check is the solar one: https://vanlivingforum.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=18

Hello B and C, thank you for the links you provided. I have been reading through both of them. I feel I will be able to find the info I need, I just gotta keep trying. And thank you for your welcome also, I appreciate your getting back to me. Hopefully, the beast will always treat you right. 

 

[JayC]

Glad to meetcha, JayC.

I'm a newbie around here with only limited experience using a small vehicle as overnight shelter and living space.  So I'm not going to have much advice for you.  That's no problem, though, since experience here has already taught me that there are helpful and knowledgeable folks on board.

You have an E-450 van?  You shouldn't have any trouble mounting cargo rack and solar panels.  I won't attempt to speculate on just how that's to be done.  But you surely have a van that's capable of it.  It ought to be a good rig.

Greeting to you BlueGoatWoods,
     How nice to meet you. Thank you for your welcome and your support. Your vehicle setup sounds great, good for you and I'm glad you are making a "go" of it. Thumbs up.
     IKWYM, I hate to speculate too on whether or not my roof can hold the weight and the best option for securing it. For sure I will add a tether to the panels no matter which way I go.
     Thanks again and I hope you're having an awesome day. Peace!
     JayC

 

[Honeys Park]

Greetings

 

[RoamerRV428]

HI and can't help ya on installing solar but wish you nothing but the best. Just take your time, learn your vehicle and what it can and can't handle and learn all you can to make your lifestyle great best of luck out there on the road!!!

 

[AMGS3]

Hello Jay and welcome to the forum!

~angie

Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

 

[shadowmoss]

The RTR is next month. Close enough to Phoenix to be a day trip if you can't get away for the entire thing. I'm over in Apache Junction and the first year I just drove over a couple of days. That was 3 years ago. Last year I took the motor home over. I am undecided if I'll take the motor home or just take the car and sleep in it this year. Lots of rigs to look at and ask the owners questions, so I encourage you to try to make it over for at least a day.

 

[JayC]

The RTR is next month.  Close enough to Phoenix to be a day trip if you can't get away for the entire thing.  I'm over in Apache Junction and the first year I just drove over a couple of days.  That was 3 years ago.  Last year I took the motor home over.  I am undecided if I'll take the motor home or just take the car and sleep in it this year.  Lots of rigs to look at and ask the owners questions, so I encourage you to try to make it over for at least a day.

Hello shadowmoss,
    Thank you for your suggestions. It is something I am thinking about, just not sure I can it together enough. But thank you for the great advice.