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08-20-2017, 06:41 PM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
1995 30' Excella
Harper Woods
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 314
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Popular Mechanics scaffold for roof work.
Hi, I'll need to do roof work on a 30' Excella, so I'm going to build this scaffold as shown in the Popular Mechanics (Aug. '68,p.p164-5), (URL link below), and make a plank/work platform to bridge on to the roof. Any suggestions?
https://books.google.com/books?id=q9...caffold&f=true
I'm not interested in using a ladder. As former physiology/surgery prof, I know that the probability of serious (possibly crippling) injury or death from falling from the roof height of an AS is unacceptably high to me - 50% for injury, 25% for fatality.
http://www.ehstoday.com/nothing-easy-falling-off-ladder
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08-20-2017, 06:50 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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Why not just rent commercial scaffolding?
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08-20-2017, 07:06 PM
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#3
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4 Rivet Member
1995 30' Excella
Harper Woods
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 314
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I expect that I'll be doing some painting on the windows, soffits, and eaves of the house & garage too. I think it'd be cheaper in the long run than renting or buying a 6-10' ft high scaffold.
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08-20-2017, 07:28 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Safety first. Whatever works for you.
__________________
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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08-20-2017, 07:55 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1977 Argosy 24
Currently Looking...
Milltown
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,087
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Won't the trailer be in the way of the X bracing?
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08-20-2017, 08:41 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2015 30' FB FC Bunk
Ayer
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,114
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That's a Baker stage. Go to Home Depot you can probably buy one cheaper than the lumber, casters and hardware to make one.
I have a few of those but I can't reach the center of the roof. Also, they are basically a ladder to climb up on.
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08-20-2017, 09:45 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1960 33' Custom
Athens
, Georgia
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,373
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I'm renting again this year, even up here in Canada it's only about $80 a month for a 10' long 5' wide 6'6" tall unit on lockable casters.
__________________
1960 Sovereign 33' Pacific Railroad Custom
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08-20-2017, 11:13 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,620
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I'd rent a scaffold for both sides and design a bridge over the AS.
Then you never have to get on the roof.
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08-21-2017, 06:42 AM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
1995 30' Excella
Harper Woods
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 314
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The Baker scaffolds available nearby are a max height of ~6ft and cost ~$180 ea minimum, and the rental price for one (min two needed) is $125-150/wk. The materials cost for this wooden one is about $100, and would take about one morning to build. Many of the features of the storebought ones (e.g. 2" incremental adjustment, locking casters, adjustable leg lengths) are not needed. A wooden one might actually be safer because it's not slippery, and rails, platforms, shelves, and other accessories can be screwed in place anywhere as needed.
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08-21-2017, 07:26 AM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Holly Springs
, Mississippi
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 426
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Mollysdad has the better answer, if you want to use scaffolding.
Personally, I found my ladder the better solution. It's a 14 foot extension ladder (not a folder), with a foam-padded 4 foot horizontal board attached to the ladder where it contacts the side of the trailer. The board is long enough to be supported by the vertical ribs of the trailer. It's very easy to get on top, but then what? I made a flexible platform -- padded with rubber shelf liner -- from 1 X 4 boards connected together by 1" nylon straps, with an inch between the boards. Thus it conforms to the curve of the roof, won't slide around, and is supported by the roof's ribs. I'm going to upgrade it by putting anti-slip strips on the top of the boards.
Scaffolding is the better answer if you need to work on the full length of the trailer. Just work on a section, get down and move the scaffolds, and go back up. But again, I think scaffolding on just one side requires a bridge to the roof.
__________________
Bob
2016 FC 25' FB twin
2013 F-150 Lariat CrewCab 3.5 EB 4X4 3.55 axle
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08-21-2017, 07:53 AM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member
1995 30' Excella
Harper Woods
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 314
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Bob662: I made a flexible platform -- padded with rubber shelf liner -- from 1 X 4 boards connected together by 1" nylon straps, with an inch between the boards. Thus it conforms to the curve of the roof, won't slide around, and is supported by the roof's ribs. I'm going to upgrade it by putting anti-slip strips on the top of the boards.
I like the flexible platform idea.
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08-21-2017, 03:33 PM
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#12
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1 Rivet Member
2003 22' International CCD
Currently Looking...
Fredericksburg
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 15
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Scaffolding for roof work
Last birthday I enjoyed becoming 81 years young. Just finished resealing the Fantastic Fans on a 22 ft 2002 International. Used a ladder to get and off to the roof, sat or kneeled on plywood supports. I was tired as hell after the two day job in central Texas August heat. BTW I didn't fall or falter, guess I'm in the lucky 25%. The reason to reseal the fans is that the "authorized" dealer who replaced them (hail shattered the original covers) did a really terrible installation job (2014) and both fans leaked around the "new" sealant. Both days I wished I'd had scaffolding. Not so much of safety as for easier working conditions.
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08-21-2017, 07:53 PM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
2014 23' FB Flying Cloud
Petrolia
, Ontario
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 66
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"Wooden" Scaffolding
As a retired Carpenter, I would not recommend a handyman construct his own wooden scaffold. I was one of the last few trademen who were trained to build it this way. For good reason I must add. Wood as scaffolding is extremely versatile in many situations, but it does not stand up to being moved around repetitively, and viewing the P.M. drawing I'd estimate the components are a bit light. If you're really thinking safety, get the right goods. Check around, search the adds, Craigs list, even advertise your desire for some usable frames. Someone is likely to help.
Ladders can be perfectly safe if and when they're used properly. Number one, ladders must be level and stable. If you need to excavate under one foot, or shim with stable stacks of lumber (not on loose gravel or marbles ) do so.
I built a stand off with a large foam pad for my multi function ladder, that rests on the exterior of the trailer so there are only two legs in contact with the ground. The foam pad resists sliding along the skin as well. I can reach the center of my roof without stepping on it. If you still feel the need to be "on the roof", Bob662's suggestion is a good one. If the slats can be made to reach from one framing member to another it would be all the better. I didn't read the entire article on ladders but I'll bet they found a good number of falls from ladders happen when stepping onto or off of ladders.
Good luck, and stay safe.
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08-21-2017, 09:59 PM
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#14
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1 Rivet Member
1969 27' Overlander
Palm Desert
, California
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 15
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Just another option
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08-22-2017, 05:18 AM
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#15
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4 Rivet Member
1995 30' Excella
Harper Woods
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 314
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"Wooden" Scaffolding: As a retired Carpenter, ....
Thanks for the considered reply. I agree that the PM wooden scaffold as shown is somewhat skimpy on lumber, and the joints with only metal fasteners may tend to work loose with repeated movements. I do have quite a bit of woodworking experience making cabinets, chairs, guitars, and household repairs, and a small camping trailer as well. I was planning on using 2x4 douglas fir lumber rather than 2x3 & 1x lumber, and make lap/notch joints for the ladder and diagonal braces rather rely on screws and bolts alone (lap joints for this would be quick & easy with a DeWalt RAS equipped with a dado blade). A few well-placed plywood gussets might be a good idea too. For the AS work, the scaffold (or ladder) will be placed on concrete with a slight grade (a little less than 1/8" per foot.) in the lengthwise direction.
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08-22-2017, 10:06 AM
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#16
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Link’s Travels
2002 25' Safari
Currently Looking...
1999 35' XL 350 w/slide
LINCOLN
, Nebraska
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 251
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I just used four boards (2' x 8') 7' long and glued shag carpeting on one side (could be both sides). Lay down the 2 going length wise first and then two going across to stand or kneel on. Very practical and usable. Don't cost an arm or leg and they work great. Plenty of board to rest on the ceiling studs and not harm the finish. Don't take much room for storage. Scaffolding won't work unless you have one on each side and boards across because you can't reach four foot to the middle unless your 8' tall.
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08-22-2017, 10:25 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,620
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DesertRat223
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It's only 6' high and $200. I guess one might work if you wanted to lay on the roof, but I'd be afraid of it tipping backwards.
I think it comes down to "what do you want to do?" It's one thing to install an easy start, and another to reseal the roof or change the AC unit.
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08-22-2017, 10:40 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1964 26' Overlander
1974 31' Sovereign
Milton
, ON
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,223
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This is what I built to work on the roof of our Sovereign:
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08-22-2017, 10:45 AM
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#19
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4 Rivet Member
1995 30' Excella
Harper Woods
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 314
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I think the trailer needs a complete inspection and resealing of vents & skylights, plus replacement of a vent. If I set the platform of the wooden scaffold to the level of the roof then I could lay another platform crosswise on the roof. The crosswise platform would be made to bear the weight on the ribs.
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08-22-2017, 10:49 AM
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#20
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4 Rivet Member
1995 30' Excella
Harper Woods
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 314
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bridge scaffold
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidsonOverlander
This is what I built to work on the roof of our Sovereign:
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That is almost exactly what I sketched out in the very beginning. I guess my brain wasn't working well that evening because I didn't think it would be easy to move. But it has since dawned upon me that the trailer has a useful feature - wheels. It can be moved back and forth under the scaffold.
How was it set up over the trailer?
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