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03-05-2016, 02:24 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
1976 25' Tradewind
Sulphur
, Louisiana
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 38
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How do you get to and on the roof of your airstream?
Even with the tallest ladder how do you put your hands on the very top of your airstream? Do you build or place scaffold?do you jump down from the roof of your house?
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03-05-2016, 03:43 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB International
Trent Woods
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,120
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There are numerous other threads on the techniques used. I use an 8 ft step ladder on the awning side and use the awning as my handhold.
Larry
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03-05-2016, 04:29 PM
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#3
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2 Rivet Member
1976 25' Tradewind
Sulphur
, Louisiana
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 38
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I couldn't find these other threads. I want to polish the spine of my airstream and I don't want to walk up there.
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03-05-2016, 04:37 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Walnut Creek
, California
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 3,952
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Jump down - No.
The factory uses a mezzanine that allows workers to gently move over to the roof structure of the trailer. That kind of suggests that the roof access idea is not so far off. Just suspect moving from a composite surface to a shiny AS is unlikely to work well for most houses or trailers.
We take it to the dealer and use their experience as there are some things that are not appropriate for the physical ability of a DIYer.
Interested to hear how other folks access the roof. Maybe there is a safe way to do it. We have heard that some folks can reach their roof from a ladder. They get to half from one side and half from the other side.
Safe climbing and travels, too. Pat
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03-05-2016, 04:39 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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I use a 12 ft. collapsible ladder. Easy peasy. Stay on the ribs and work away. Stay off of the end caps, zero support under the skin for all practical purposes.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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03-05-2016, 04:44 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Venice
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,024
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Patrick from Colonial Airstream did a You Tune video about this.
__________________
Joe
Venice, FL
2016 FC 25RTB
TAC FL-47
2018 Nissan Titan XD Cummins Diesel
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03-05-2016, 05:20 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrjkq
Patrick from Colonial Airstream did a You Tune video about this.
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Patrick's way is scary to me. I am not that flexable. I like a ladder that is in firm solid contact with he trailer.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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03-05-2016, 05:33 PM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
1976 25' Tradewind
Sulphur
, Louisiana
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 38
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I'm going to try this.
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03-05-2016, 06:43 PM
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#9
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Regular Guy
1978 31' Sovereign
Hot Springs
, Arkansas
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 603
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12 ft fiberglass ladder leaned against the upper rivet line. You will be able to reach everything on top. Stay away from the end caps.
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03-05-2016, 07:00 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobkatbry
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If I was doing any serious work up on the top such as replacing the AC I would definetly consider using a real scaffolding set up. They can not cost that much to rent for a couple of days.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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03-06-2016, 10:21 AM
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#11
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1 Rivet Member
1993 30' Excella
Kaplan
, Louisiana
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 13
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Go to a reputable dealer and have them PAINT the center portion of the roof. I had this done and have never had any problems. I don't know the name of the paint used but it off-whiter in color and looks great. Really helps the unit stay cooler in the hot summer time.
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03-06-2016, 10:25 AM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member
2010 27' FB Flying Cloud
Kansas
, Topeka
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 62
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I use an extendable ladder like AWCHIEF and attach a patio chair pad to it using the pad ties to hold it in place. I can move it around the trailer to include end caps and access to the center. I just finished walbernizing the top of ours this way. If you need to climb on top. Put the ladder in the doorway (with door open) for max support. I use another chair pad on top to distribute my weight on top bring careful to stay on the ribs for support. The frame ribbing is ifentified by the rivets. The seams of two aluminum panels are usually not over the ribs so I avoid placing weight there. (I weigh about 210)
Like the others state, don't climb on the end caps but you can Lean on them a bit. The scaffolds look like overkill for normal maintenance to me. The top of an AS is pretty tough if you use caution.
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03-06-2016, 10:37 AM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
2005 28' Classic
Moutain Center
, California
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 27
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We use a 12ft ladder leaning against the upper window frame with a folded up towel to prevent any scratches. We also use gardening foam pads for our knees so as to prevent dents. I don't like being up there standing and walking, so usually "walk" on my knees with the pads when I'm inspecting or rechalking the vents.
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03-06-2016, 10:44 AM
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#14
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Refugee from Napa, CA
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Currently Looking...
Formerly Napa
, On the road
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 614
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__________________
Instagram. Alluminator
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03-06-2016, 11:25 AM
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#15
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Proud Owner Vintage SBB
Currently Looking...
Santa Monica
, California
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 165
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Photobum
Telesteps ladder...
[/url]
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I find the 8.5 foot extendable tubular ladder works dandy for my little trailer, packs small and weighs not much. (Naturally it needs solid spanning padding where it leans on the trailer...)
But were I going to work on the roof, I'd want an aluminum painters plank to span a couple of 10' step ladders -- to keep my weight off the trailer. However, when we did the Fan-Tastic Vent retrofit, a furniture pad under a half sheet of plywood spanned enough roof struts to carry the weight of a reasonably sized human being.
Michael
__________________
"Of the gladdest moments in human life, methinks, is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands... A journey, in fact, appeals to Imagination, to Memory, to Hope,—the three sister Graces of our moral being.’
– Sir Richard Francis Burton
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03-06-2016, 12:18 PM
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#16
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2 Rivet Member
1970 25' Tradewind
anderson
, South carolina
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 37
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Getting on top of your airstream
I've been on top of my 1970 25 ft my a couple of times to polish and paint the
Center section. You may have on hand 1@1/2 or 2 in. Wide x3/4 thick strips or
Purchase at builders supply cheap. Cut about 20 or 25 pieces and lay them out in
A row on concrete or long table with about 1in. Between them. Take 1 in. Wide
Nylon strap from tie down sets and nail or staple to the ends of the strips. On the
Last slat leave about 10 or 15 feet of strap free. Throw the loose straps over the
Trailer and tie off to awning arm or anything else available to tie to. Now you
Have a 2 or 3 ft. Wide lattace fitting the rounded contour of the air stream. Adjust
Free straps for top center - rounded edge etc. When not in use roll the lattace up
Like rolling up roofing paper and easy to store. This method you can lean stand
Or crawl full weight and no damage. Also sed this method to install ac unit on top
Of my c-10 avion truck camper. Try it out. Worked well for me. Bob Cooke
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03-06-2016, 01:19 PM
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#17
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1 Rivet Member
2015 22' FB Sport
Ventura
, California
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 7
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Just make sure where you do stand or kneel, there's a line of rivets. This insures that you are putting weight on a "rib" of the superstructure. I like the youtube video from Colonial RV that Patrick made.
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03-06-2016, 01:55 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2012 23' FB International
Woodstock
, Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CJ Winch
We use a 12ft ladder leaning against the upper window frame with a folded up towel to prevent any scratches. We also use gardening foam pads for our knees so as to prevent dents. I don't like being up there standing and walking, so usually "walk" on my knees with the pads when I'm inspecting or recaulking the vents.
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Ditto That!!! and wear shoes that won't scratch (clean ....no mud and no steel lace hooks. And for the most part you don't need to actually get on the roof. I've done repairs to nearly everything up there from the ladder leaning against the awning!
JCW
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03-06-2016, 06:15 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2017 30' Classic
Anna Maria
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,645
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsbrodsky
There are numerous other threads on the techniques used. I use an 8 ft step ladder on the awning side and use the awning as my handhold.
Larry
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I do the same. Have been for for years and I wash my 30' International every 4 weeks.
I cut two pieces of AC insulation foam and attach them on the section of the ladder that is leaning on the small Awning by the rear bedroom.
Drag a bucket of soapy water and my hose and go to town. Just make sure you are not wearing Crocks they are very slippery up there.
And yes STAY of the END CAPS.
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03-06-2016, 08:10 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari
St. Augustine
, Florida
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,670
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I use a regular ladder and prop it against the door frame. I have cut two four foot long by 24" wide plywood pieces for support pads that I take up with me and a cushion for the knees. I can get all over up there crawling around with that setup putting the plywood straddling the frame points- same idea as an attic floor. I do not mess around with the end caps. Crawling isn't bad if you have some knee cushion. My first trip up there I found a missing rivet- just a hole with no rivet.
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WBCCI 8653/AIR 60240
2022 Ford F150 PowerBoost Platinum w/7.2KW
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