Question for the day - goat rails?

[mikebulriss]

OK, so why do they call the roof edge rack "goat rails"?

I know they seem a little low to keep goats on the roof from falling off, but can't wait to see Steve G's logical(?) reply!

[ernie ekberg]

beats me, Mike. I have been messing with birds since 82.
maybe it helps us old goats from falling off~

[davidbrady]

Well, Wanderlodge engineers were very forward thinking. They envisioned a useful purpose for our buses even after we've wrung the last mile out of our million mile engines and chassis. What do you do with a spent bus? Obviously you bury it in your backyard! And, once buried the fence attached to the top of our buses protruding just above ground level provides a very functional corral for your herd of miniature goats; hence, the "Goat Rail".

[patticake]

David gave you the reply, used to hold the pigmy goats from jumping


Actually, if you remember, the early birds were built in the school bus factory and brought across the street to be fitted for motor home use. They were built to "school bus" standards, including the luggage racks. Later, it was recognized by that, and customers wanted them so they can tell from a distance when they saw a bird. On the BMC's they were an option, which is why some have them and some don't.

[mikebulriss]

(12-16-2013 11:32)patticake Wrote:  David gave you the reply, used to hold the pigmy goats from jumping

Hmmm, so this is all you guys have huh? Well, if that's it, I will have to guess that no one knows the real derivation of the "goat rail" moniker then.

On to the next burning question that inquiring minds want to know....

[patticake]

On to the next burning question that inquiring minds want to know....
[/quote]

Is that whether the sun rotates around the earth, or will we fall off when we reach the horizon?

[mhughes01]

(12-18-2013 21:09)patticake Wrote:  On to the next burning question that inquiring minds want to know....

Is that whether the sun rotates around the earth, or will we fall off when we reach the horizon?
[/quote]

Nope - not if you just tie yourself to your goat rails.

I always thought they were part "branding" and part for safety when working up there - like the catwalks. A truly distinctive part of a Bird (up to LXI anyways) is the goat rails. Perhaps they just "get the goat" of SOB Owners.

Next time you're up there admiring your goat rails, check all the screws on your air conditioner covers. We lost one cover while going to Chicago and back with my Ultralight (missus drove, I flew). Didn't notice till the missus moved the coach the morning after a big rain and got a bath. lol. Thankfully an awesome RV place in Paynesville MN had a cover. I haven't gotten around to painting it yet.

[Arcticdude]

Here's the real reason for goat rails- to keep them OFF your roof!