Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Has anyone ever added a roof deck to their coach? Ideas please?

New Reply
Subscription Subscribe to this Thread Thread Tools
  #1 
05-05-2013, 03:00 AM
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 17
Default Has anyone ever added a roof deck to their coach? Ideas please?

  I'm looking at a few different coaches to upgrad to. I'm told to buy a wanderlodge if I want a roof deck and that newell won't support it but I have seen one on a newell at the races few years ago.

Is there a way to do this? Has anyone around here seen or no of one that's been done? Looking for ideas.
Reply With Quote
 
  #2 
05-05-2013, 12:23 PM
jack14r's Avatar
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: greensboro,nc
Posts: 111
Default

I have seen a few Liberty's with them,they are all stainless steel,I think that they have only been on the XLII because of height.
Reply With Quote
  #3 
05-05-2013, 01:54 PM
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Just North of Detroit, a surprizingly great city
Posts: 380
Default

Hey Jethot: I have not seen a Newell with a roof deck and I certainly wouldn't stand on my 77 roof for other than maintenance. However, given the strong structure of the Newell coaches I believe it is possible to install a roof deck.

Here is how I would approach it from a structural perspective. I would intend to use aluminum to minimize weight. I would design a series of saddles to sit directly on top of the side-to-side support structure of the roof. Depending on the spacing of those structures I might use every other one. I would attach the saddles to the roof using structural adhesives to eliminate holes that could leak and to spread the load as evenly as possible across the structure. I would then lay the decking on top of the saddles using the lightest decking I could that would support the weight. There would have to be some diagonal bracing from the top of one saddle to the bottom of the next to prevent racking of the whole thing. I would design access (ladder) so that its loads are supported by the ground and minimize loads on the coach. I would be thinking of removable hand rails with some way to get them safely up from and down to the ground without damaging the coach in the process.

The whole issue is the balance between spreading the load to as many existing supports as possible while at the same time making the added structure as light as possible. The other consideration is to get the added loads mainly imposed as near to the existing vertical coach structure as possible . I believe this all can be done, it would be a fun project, and keeping it light and durable won't cost more than an arm or a leg but not both.
Reply With Quote
  #4 
05-05-2013, 04:17 PM
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 180
Default

It seems like I have seen at least 1 Newell with deck rails on the roof but I may be wrong it's been awhile. Interesting idea though but maybe that is why you see mostly Prevost with them. Surely a Wanderlodge can they were big on the roof rack thing. I would like to see a Newell with one too.
Reply With Quote
  #5 
05-05-2013, 05:28 PM
Neweller's Avatar
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Heartland
Posts: 3,563
Default

AMG, is this kind of what you are looking for or maybe along these lines? http://www.luxurycoachlifestyle.com/...ace-tours.html
Reply With Quote
  #6 
05-05-2013, 05:30 PM
NEWELLWIZARD's Avatar
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Missoula, Montana
Posts: 281
Default

No roof deck on our coach. Here is a 1990 Newell coach with a roof deck Click image for larger version

Name:	1990Newell003_zpsf99c217c.jpg
Views:	460
Size:	21.7 KB
ID:	4053
Click image for larger version

Name:	1990Newell001_zps384e1e80.jpg
Views:	404
Size:	21.5 KB
ID:	4054

For all the pictures NewellShowcase.com Newell Coach Photo Gallery, Newell Coach Photo Showcase, Newell Motorhome Photos, Newell RV Photos, Newell Photo Gallery - 1990 Newell Coach Album 11
Reply With Quote
  #7 
05-05-2013, 05:47 PM
NewellCrazy's Avatar
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sugarland, TX or Salida,CO
Posts: 1,867
Default

Check this out:

Click image for larger version

Name:	426534_10150832074104638_427343691_n.jpg
Views:	413
Size:	57.9 KB
ID:	4055
Reply With Quote
  #8 
05-05-2013, 07:12 PM
Cheri Smith's Avatar
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 249
Default

Off topic but lol @ the other woman.
Reply With Quote
  #9 
05-05-2013, 07:20 PM
speedingsport's Avatar
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 541
Default

I have always thought the Airstream Skydeck was pretty cool. Maybe someone could do this to their Newell?

Click image for larger version

Name:	2004_skydeck_roofdeck.jpg
Views:	1164
Size:	19.7 KB
ID:	4069Click image for larger version

Name:	2005-545.jpg
Views:	751
Size:	21.8 KB
ID:	4070Click image for larger version

Name:	2006_skydeck_upper_deck.jpg
Views:	1443
Size:	25.4 KB
ID:	4071Name:  airstreamskydeck.jpg
Views: 1312
Size:  14.2 KBClick image for larger version

Name:	skydeck.jpg
Views:	400
Size:	21.9 KB
ID:	4073Click image for larger version

Name:	skydeck1.jpg
Views:	396
Size:	14.0 KB
ID:	4074
Reply With Quote
  #10 
05-05-2013, 07:23 PM
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 306
Default

If im not mistaken this 02' has one on it. I remember seeing this at the factory and it had the ladder attached to the back. If you look at the rear picture I believe thats part of it on top.
2002 Newell Newell - Incoming
Reply With Quote
  #11 
05-05-2013, 08:36 PM
Charlotte Rosita's Avatar
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 83
Default

Andrew I don't see it but it could be my old age. It looks like this coach has been used and abused. I'd like to say used and enjoyed but for a 2002 it doesn't look as well cared for as it could look.

Speedingsport that Airstream Skydeck is neat. I didn't know Airstream made an actual motorhome.

Cheri Smith I agree that coach Sean posted with "The Other Woman" made me giggle.

JetHot I don't think I would want to climb up on my coaches roof. But I can see why some would want to for a better view.
Reply With Quote
  #12 
05-05-2013, 08:53 PM
Newell Attack's Avatar
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Prescott Valley, AZ
Posts: 237
Default

Carpet needs replaced and I'm sure it needs other upgrades depending on what there asking it could be a good deal for someone.

Jeff
Reply With Quote
  #13 
05-05-2013, 10:06 PM
bigcatwally's Avatar
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 149
Default

I think they took roof deck literally don't you?

Click image for larger version

Name:	School-bus-with-roof-deck-3.jpg
Views:	1274
Size:	22.8 KB
ID:	4079
Reply With Quote
  #14 
05-06-2013, 02:19 PM
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Just North of Detroit, a surprizingly great city
Posts: 380
Default

well gosh golly gee, somun stole my deck and now I knows exackly wher it went.
Reply With Quote
  #15 
05-06-2013, 06:25 PM
1993Newell's Avatar
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: The U S of A!
Posts: 368
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 77newell View Post
well gosh golly gee, somun stole my deck and now I knows exackly wher it went.
LMAO!
Reply With Quote
  #16 
05-09-2013, 10:36 PM
speedingsport's Avatar
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 541
Default

Wally here's one for you! Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5077.jpg
Views:	351
Size:	16.6 KB
ID:	4093
Reply With Quote
  #17 
05-10-2013, 01:44 AM
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 180
Default

The Airstream was an exceptional looking roof deck luxury coach. I have seen them around and very impressive. Just don't party too hard and fall off. Never heard of that happening but some people can get pretty crazy partying at an event.

Next thing you know we will have a roof deck contest around here.
Reply With Quote
  #18 
05-10-2013, 04:18 AM
Neweller's Avatar
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Heartland
Posts: 3,563
Default

Actually, Newell has done quite a few roof decks over the years. You just don't see them that much unless you hang out the races or events where people really use them the most. If fact Skydeck Luxury Coach which Newell refers to them as, have been built with roof observation platforms beginning some 26 years ago.

Typically, Newell decks the roof with aluminum diamond plate, and the rails and ladder are fabricated out of stainless steel tubing by an experienced boat rail maker. Newell will not offer a system with rails that folds down onto the roof like the Skydeck because the Newell roofline is higher than units equipped with the Skydeck, and adding the Skydeck to a Newell would result in a coach being too tall. An additional factor is that many of the top motor racing venues prohibit watching events from the roofs of RVs in the infield, so Newell has experienced a decline in interest for roof observation decks.


Actually constructing a roof deck however entails basic metal fabrication. You can generally build the deck itself from aluminum, using diamond-plate for the decking. Also, finding a shop in your area to build the deck should not be all that difficult. To get a quality look, the preference would be to use stainless steel for the removable railings. Like I stated previously, Newell generally subcontracts the railings to a specialty shop that builds high quality stainless yacht and sailboat railings. There are many such facilities, although they are typically on either coast. Doing a recent search on google and yahoo I found other such company's who make stair systems throughout the inland states as well.
Reply With Quote
New Reply


Forum Jump

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Newell Coach Corporation or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.

Login ×

View Full Site
Copyright © 2015 Social Knowledge, LLC