Getting on the roof

[perryg114]

So how does one access stuff on the roof without caving it in? I need to replace my AC shroud and check the general condition of things up there.

Perry

[SteveH]

I've been on top of a couple of Airstreams replacing A/C covers, and I was able to carfully keep my weight on the rows of rivets without doing any damage.

[Steve & Susan]

I keep to the rows of rivets that go from street side to curbside with no problem. I've also taken a scrap 2 by 12 that is about 5 feet long and wrapped it in old carpet - that will span several of the cross-roof beams and spread your weight across more than one roof 'beam'.
Above all, stay off of the end caps - there is no support under them.

[RLS]

Just replaced our shroud 2 months ago. Had no problem using an extension ladder up against the side with a baby mattress and a 1"x10"x5' piece of wood between the trailer and ladder. Tied the mattress and board to the ladder with the board between the mattress and ladder, and moved from side to side to replace the shroud. There are very few screws holding the shroud on so it is an easy replacement.

[worldinchaos]

There's a really great thread about it here:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f478...oof-66345.html

My favorite idea out of them all was to build an 8 ft by 30 ft trench, 8 feet deep, with tapered ends. Then drive the trailer in. You now have completely safe access.

As a bonus, you can cover the airstream back up and have the coolest nuclear fallout shelter anywhere.

- Peter

[Globie64]

This is something that I've been avoiding. I don't know how much you all weigh (individually) but at 200#, I don't feel comfortable on the roof of my trailer. I have thought of using some scaffolding boards that span from a ladder to the roof of a shed, so I can work over the trailer, not on it. I do like the idea of the trench to drive into, cover it and you have covered storage.

[Gene]

Another quote from the thread linked to in post #5 is "I'm married, so I work alone." That speaks volumes.

I prefer the dig a big hole and put the Airstream in it option—then place some wide boards across the roof and the sides of the hole and walk onto it. I have still not convinced my wife to work on the roof.

Getting on the roof is the easy part for me. Staying there is not, getting down in one piece is even worse. With 2 solar panels, there is even less room to maneuver.

As for the issue of staying on the ribs, don't walk on the roof, slide across putting weight on a couple of ribs.

Gene

[Globie64]

I wonder how many of us who are married have done everything on the trailer alone? Sometimes it's better and more efficient that way. One other issue, maybe newer trailers don't have this, are the sharp edges at the joints of the skin and- ouch- the drip rails over the windows. It's easy to slip on a ladder and land on one of these sharp edges.

[perryg114]

I found that digging a hole for the tonge jack so you can lower the A-frame all the way to the ground makes the front of the trailer a lot easier to get to. I would expect that the average 6 ft 200lb man could push an AC unit on top of the trailer this way. I am going to take this approach when mine comes in. Leaving the AC in the box might offer additional advantages.

Perry

[Crusty]

I don't even remember 200# and I regularly go up onto my roof for ac and fan service. Always step on the rivet lines and you won't have a problem. I often use a 6' length of 2x10 to lay down so that it always crosses 3 ribs and I've never put a dent in my roof that way. I've also made a scaffold by bridging across from a ladder leaned on each side with a 2x12 but that puts me too high off the roof for comfortable working. Stay OFF of the end caps however.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Globie64

I wonder how many of us who are married have done everything on the trailer alone? Sometimes it's better and more efficient that way.

My wife helps sometimes. She is the gofer and saves me trips to find things. That is a big help. She doesn't understand how to do things that I do, but she passed organic chemistry and worked in a lab and I couldn't do that. She files everything connected with our records; I would just leave piles on my desk until they reached the ceiling, then start a pile on the floor.

When we get to a campground, she and I share set up, and the same when we leave. We can each do every job, and can check each other, and that works very well. We notice that few wives every help husbands this way (I do get stuck with the sewer hose).

Gene

[Crusty]

Perry, I just completed the installation of a new 15K heat pump and here's how I got mine up there. I made up a block and tackle from cheap home depot parts and hoisted the new unit high in a tree next to the trailer. Then I used my folding ladder to make a high scaffold under it which leaned against the trailer with the inner legs resting against a 2x12 along the roof edge and lowered the unit down onto the scaffold. From there I was able to slide the unit on the scaffold over onto the roof. Worked like a champ. Don't stand under the unit while it's hanging from the tree BTW.

[Globie64]

I get stuck with the sewer hose too. We're balanced, I went to art school and have a degree in architecture, and the other half has a strong finance and business background. My partner does a lot of the internal set up, and is the one who keeps the paper work organized behind the scenes. I make sure the vehicles are working and the house remains standing. When I need an extra pair of hands I get help, and more importantly, encouragement.

[xrvr]

My wife also passes organic chemistry, but is little help. I hope she never sees this thread! jim

[perryg114]

Well all my big trees got wiped out by the tornado . I will know more when I get the unit and can evaluate the weight of it. I can always have a friend with a front end loader lift it up there for me.

Perry

Originally Posted by Crusty

Perry, I just completed the installation of a new 15K heat pump and here's how I got mine up there. I made up a block and tackle from cheap home depot parts and hoisted the new unit high in a tree next to the trailer. Then I used my folding ladder to make a high scaffold under it which leaned against the trailer with the inner legs resting against a 2x12 along the roof edge and lowered the unit down onto the scaffold. From there I was able to slide the unit on the scaffold over onto the roof. Worked like a champ. Don't stand under the unit while it's hanging from the tree BTW.

[Crusty]

That's a friend worth loaning money to.

My brother successfully put an ac on his trailer by Fred Flintstoning it up a ladder somehow, but that's not something I'd even attempt.

[Becky B.]

We used a fork lift. I jump on the Sovereign by putting my ladder next to it (not leaning on it) on the curbside. I have an awning, so I hold onto that & hop right on. The ladder is an 8 footer. I always stay on the rivets. I am, however, a bit nervous about hopping on the Bambi II. I think I might stay off that one!

[missyloopy]

Am I the only woman who gets stuck with the sewer hose!

[Gene]

Originally Posted by missyloopy

Am I the only woman who gets stuck with the sewer hose!

That makes you a very attractive woman!

Gene

[zlee]

I don't have a choice, either I do the sewer stuff, or it overflows!