Best way to work on the roof of Airstream

[Tony S]

Hi Folks

How do you work on the roof? I don't want to mess up at this point.

I was hoping to get input on the proper way to work on the roof. I have a 73 Tradewind that I need to remove a heavily caulked up vent to replace with a Fantastic Fan.

I know to stay off endcaps.

Many Thanks

Tony S
Rogue River, Oregon

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Tony S

Hi Folks

How do you work on the roof? I don't want to mess up at this point.

I was hoping to get input on the proper way to work on the roof. I have a 73 Tradewind that I need to remove a heavily caulked up vent to replace with a Fantastic Fan.

I know to stay off endcaps.

Many Thanks

Tony S
Rogue River, Oregon

Just get up there wearing rubber soled shoes.

Make sure that the roof is not wet.

Then just don't bounce around and walk gently.

Andy

[Foiled Again]

One VERY clever way is to have two box trucks, one on either side of the Airstream - and lay a plank over the Airstream - between the two. Really handy if you're doing something like an air conditioner install or polishing where you're going to be up there a long while. An extension ladder with a plywood cover makes a good plank. No reason you couldn't use conventional scaffolding if you have it, and I have seen a bucket truck or a scissor jack used. So use those if you can beg, borrow or steal them.

To work from the side use a ladder with a crosspiece (2 x 4 covered with carpet works well) that will cross over at least two ribs , then lean in and keep your heavy pressure points on the ribs. On the older units you can stand on the ribs on the roof, but the new ones, I wouldn't trust because the ribs aren't continuous from one side to the other - the sides and roof are built in sections then joined. This is a bit of a challenged for the vertically challenged.



Paula

[dznf0g]

Newer ones are fine to walk on the rib lines. I do it all the time. I take a sheet of 3/4 ply up with me. It is about 8" longer than the rib spacing and about 3' wide. makes a good place to sit or kneel for those little jobs.

Someday I will get some ladders/scaffolding and cross planks, but for now I have nowhere to store them.

[Moflash]

I cut a 2x12 about 3ft long covered it with carpet.It spans the rivet lines and is way more comfortable when working on the roof.

[Tony S]

Oh, that is easier than I thought. I should know better than trying to reinvent the wheel. It maybe way too complicated. I borrowed some scaffolding, built a platform from 2 x6 and OSB and then a 6 sided box to make up height. Then a plank from 2 x 4 and OSB 8' and covered with carpet. Then realized I didn't bridge rivet lines so added a 5/8 x 6 x 36 plywood covered with carpet that did bridge them. Now to try it. Anyway I will post a pic of my folly

Tony

[Moflash]

Wow!!

[robwok]

I just put a sheet of 1" pink polystyrene bought from big box store for maybe $15.00. It won't scratch, not hard on my knees, won't dent, but still spreads the load, and it's not slippery, and weighs nothing to carry up the ladder. I use 3/4 of a sheet. It's ragged, but works.

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

One VERY clever way is to have two box trucks, one on either side of the Airstream - and lay a plank over the Airstream - between the two. Really handy if you're doing something like an air conditioner install or polishing where you're going to be up there a long while. An extension ladder with a plywood cover makes a good plank. No reason you couldn't use conventional scaffolding if you have it....

You mean like this?







That's exactly what we did several years ago to polish the roof of our (then) '64 GlobeTrotter.

Shari

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

You mean like this?

That's exactly what we did several years ago to polish the roof of our (then) '64 GlobeTrotter.

Shari

Good Lord that is one pretty trailer!!!

[Tony S]

I guess there is more than one way to get it done. I have pictures of mine but can't load it.

I got the vent out Now it is clean up the Vulkum and Silicone.

Any solvent recommended for helping get the old Vulkum off? I am prepping for the Fantastic Vent.

Oh, the reason for the height differential is I still have the trailer up on ramps.

Thanks

Tony

[dznf0g]

I use Brakleen and (auto painting) Prep solvent for most of my cleanup work.

[Tony S]

I was able to upload the pictures

Thanks

Tony

[InsideOut]

Looks like that worked!

Shari