ladder? from newbie

[texas-hawg]

I need to get on the roof of my 65 AS tradewind. Is there a reccomended way to get on top without damaging the trailer. pictures welcomed...the texas-hawg

[Zeppelinium]

I make a scaffold out of two extension ladders and an 8' 2x10. You can see that there is a flat piece of 1/2" plywood under the ladder where it contacts the shell, with some 3/4" foam under the plywood. There really isn't much pressure on the shell, so this is really just a scratch prevention device. What you can't see is the rope that goes under the Airstream that ties the bottoms of the ladders together, and I also have a rope over the top. This is overkill, except when you're moving something heavy like an air conditioner, where it is essential.

You can stand on the roof once you're up there, as long as it's on a rib or stringer. Never-the-less, I always try to sit on the 2x10 when I'm working up there.

When I'm on an extended trip I carry a 6' stepladder in the truck so I can work on the awning and any leaking seam, but no getting on top with that.

Zep

[Belegedhel]

Guess it depends on how much work you have to do. I am in the middle of a complete rebuild, so I took the two gantry frames that I built and used to lift the shell off of the frame, and turned them into a semi-permanent scaffold (see the picture). The reason for doing this is that I need to spend a little time up top, drilling out the zillion rivets that hold the old AC unit in place, installing a patch, and then putting the new unit in place. I have gotten on top of my trailer just by climbing up a free-standing step ladder, and then stepping over onto a rib. Its a big stretch, though, not something I would try if I was bringing up an AC unit.

[bilby05]

Funny thing. I just came in from working on removing the old AC from the roof of our 62 Tradewind. I checked on renting a metal scaffold from a local rents everything place and they want $40 a week for a single 8 ft. high unit. I borrowed my son in laws fancy aluminum multi position ladder and could safely reach all of the parts that I needed to work on, for now. I am just taking it all apart while it is up there and throwing the parts overboard. Still trying to figure out all of the rivets and screws and sealant. I don't plan on replacing the roof unit, it looks like a wart on top of a very sleek body. I am considering multiple small window units, venting through existing hatches (Fridge hatch, water heater hatch, and or fresh water access hatch) and rewiring to use them individually or together on the really hot days. But enough about my project. I really like the look of the wooden scaffolding a few posts back and would consider making one of those. I may have to do that. I will have a lot of holes to patch, rivet holes and other holes and don't really like being over 2 feet above the ground.