Best way to get on top

[cazual6]

What is the best way to get on the roof to service anything on the roof? Check for wear tear "stuff". I use my ladder, but I can only get so close, and can not see what I need to see.

[BetterNowlinLater]

I think I saw a youtube video through Colonial Airstream with Patrick showing how to get onto the roof.

[BetterNowlinLater]

I just went back and looked. It is called How to climb onto the roof of an Airstream. From December 2014. I don't know how to post it on here.

[centennialman]

For your model, I would wrap the top ends of the ladder with towels or rags. Then lean the ladder against one of the "brows" over a window. The brows, or drip guards are stronger and can distribute the weight. Make sure the bottom of your ladder that touches the ground is secure and climb on up. Have someone spot you from below. Wear shoes with rubber soles or something similar that has a good safe grip. Look for the rivet lines on the roof and stay on those. Don't step in between them. Take your time and you will be fine.

[68 TWind]

I have a 22 ft Little Giant that is very stable when extended. I lean it against the trailer on big foam pad. I then put the base against the house or some other heavy object so as I gets past the resting point it there is no way it will move. If you don't make sure the base is firm when you get to the top and lean over to step off the weight shift makes the bottom light and it will slide away from the trailer (how do I know this). Be careful and have someone around anytime you are on top in case you need help or the ladder shifts.

[featherbedder]

An extension ladder or 1 long enough to lean against awning cover when retracted. Aluminum ladder won't hurt cover as it's stainless or put or something over ladder then lean against. Make sure bottom is secure so won't slip. I put bottom against house and onto awning. This is for awnings that have metal cover, could do same for awnings w/out cover by padding ladder. I have never scratched cover, some times throw blanket over back side of ladder.

[GenXair]

Great suggestions! I've always wondered how people did this.

[cazual6]

Wish me luck. Thank you

[Native143]

I had to replace my antenna yesterday. So I put a "noodle" over the top edge of the ladder to cushion it, made sure the bottom was stable, and then put a patio lounge cushion on the top of the roof and laid across that to reach the antenna. That extends my reach to the center of the roof so now I can clean, inspect, do whatever without having to walk on it.

[OTRA15]

Here are the search results for "ladder roof access" using the lower (Google) search function in the Search link above:

https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=011403...ess&gsc.page=1

Plenty of good advice in the earlier threads, in addition to that given here already.

Have a good weekend.

Peter

[mpawilliams]

Originally Posted by cazual6

What is the best way to get on the roof to service anything on the roof? Check for wear tear "stuff". I use my ladder, but I can only get so close, and can not see what I need to see.

To avoid the chance of denting the roof, I put down a 24" x 36" piece of plywood as a work space. I've glued a rubber mat on the underside to prevent slippage. This creates a secure platform, and eliminates a couple of big worries.

[dkottum]

You can avoid the chance of falling off the roof with disastrous results by leaning a ladder against the side with padding to protect the trailer or awning surface, if the ladder is tall enough to stand on it and reach the center of the trailer easily.

This will allow you to do inspections and most service without crawling on top. I installed my fan covers easily standing on a ladder (I actually put one on each side for this) and didn't have to crawl off the roof to get another tool or recover a dropped screw.

I think it's a safer way to service the roof components.

[Doc Foster]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lofcdz7odDk

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by cazual6

What is the best way to get on the roof to service anything on the roof? Check for wear tear "stuff". I use my ladder, but I can only get so close, and can not see what I need to see.

When I'm at home I use different tools for different jobs, a combinations of step ladders, extension ladders, and scaffolds with walk boards. It depends on what I need for the specific job I'm trying to accomplish.

I had an experience while on the road that I needed to get on the roof when a fan lid blew off. To make it worse, it was raining.
So, I'm in the market for some type of collapsible, telescoping, or folding ladder that will fit inside my Airstream, without taking up to much room. I'm trying to sort out what's best.
I'll need a class 1A ladder for my .... stout physique.
Any suggestions?

[Vic Orvis]

I drilled additional lock pin holes in my Little Giant ladder so I could remove one of the extensions, bend the shortened section to fit the AS roof angle, attach a well padded piece of plywood to the end of the shortened section so I can bend over the ladder and work on the roof safely and comfortably even with my overweight 72 year old body.

[dcasr]

A padded top end of my ladder, with a heavy folded blanket over the awning tube, and a spotter at the bottom of the ladder, leads to one more issue. Your belt buckle on your pants can scratch the heck out of anything you are sliding over. Wearing jogging pants, or a swim suit or something without a buckle or rough button on the front, will help prevent scratching things you don't want to deface. Its not only scratching the aluminum, its scratching the clear coat as well. Good luck.

[RamRider]

I use the inexpensive foam knee pads they sell at Harbor Freight - they have velcro straps to wrap around the top of the ladder. Easy to take off and save for next time.

[FCStreamer]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

When I'm at home I use different tools for different jobs, a combinations of step ladders, extension ladders, and scaffolds with walk boards. It depends on what I need for the specific job I'm trying to accomplish.

I had an experience while on the road that I needed to get on the roof when a fan lid blew off. To make it worse, it was raining.
So, I'm in the market for some type of collapsible, telescoping, or folding ladder that will fit inside my Airstream, without taking up to much room. I'm trying to sort out what's best.
I'll need a class 1A ladder for my .... stout physique.
Any suggestions?

This is the one I got.

http://www.ourflyingcloud.com/2016/0...ot-ladder.html

[featherbedder]

Originally Posted by dcasr

A padded top end of my ladder, with a heavy folded blanket over the awning tube, and a spotter at the bottom of the ladder, leads to one more issue. Your belt buckle on your pants can scratch the heck out of anything you are sliding over. Wearing jogging pants, or a swim suit or something without a buckle or rough button on the front, will help prevent scratching things you don't want to deface. Its not only scratching the aluminum, its scratching the clear coat as well. Good luck.

Wearing swim suit on sunny day will result in some nasty burns as Aluminum gets very hot. Sweat pants works very well.

[Boxite]

There are a number of telescoping ladders available. The "Xtend" brand is popular. Walmart and Home Depot both carry them, and Amazon is always a good place to start looking. The advantage of a telescoping ladder is that it is sufficiently compact that it can be carried on trips with very little room taken.