AI Roof - Crawl around or stay off for EasyStart install

[Tobbun]

Still slowly plugging away at my Wachuko list.

I bought the EasyStart for the AC system and want to get that installed before our trip. Are you guys working from ladders or crawling around on top of the roof?

I have the 2017 AI.

[wachuko]

If you can do so safely, please take photos of the process and share...

Looks like something to add to my list as well

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by Tobbun

Still slowly plugging away at my Wachuko list.

I bought the EasyStart for the AC system and want to get that installed before our trip. Are you guys working from ladders or crawling around on top of the roof?

I have the 2017 AI.

I have done both, not that I had anything to fix but just checking the lay of the land & washing/cleaning. But being afraid of heights, I consider the AI 10ft. roof serious heights. So, I always have wife and daughter as spotters, no matter if just cleaning the AI solar or installing Christmas lights up on house gutters. Just be safe (not alone) whichever way you choose.

[FlyFishinRVr]

I don’t believe the Sprinter roof is designed to be walked on so I highly recommend you use a ladder to avoid any damage.

[Titus]

When having mine worked on at JC the ~150# service tech walked on the roof. I could not tell that he paid any special attention to where he walked. He got up there to remove and replace the cover where the TV antenna and rear camera wiring goes through the roof. This cover is very near the edge of the roof, just inboard on the awning. It could have been reached from a ladder without much effort, but he got up on the roof anyway.

[TN Princess]

I installed the Easy-Start about 2 months ago. To install the box containing the electronics you will need to climb on top from the drivers side. Need to remove the cover (2 screws on curb side, 2 on drive side). After running the wires to the curb side for the electrical (wire) connections, I used a ladder on the curb side. As others suggested, I put a moving (thick) pad on the roof, so as not to scratch. I sat, not standing to spread my weight. Easy start website has excellent "how to" info.

[Boom23]

Originally Posted by Tobbun

Still slowly plugging away at my Wachuko list.

I bought the EasyStart for the AC system and want to get that installed before our trip. Are you guys working from ladders or crawling around on top of the roof?

I have the 2017 AI.

I walked very slowly & carefully on the roof... Tried to stay on the ribs. I'm 200lbs. No problems.

[InterBlog]

I do it all the time. Note, however, that the human “LH-50” is approximately 11 feet. I’ve corrupted a toxicology reference (LD-50) but basically what I mean is lethal height 50. Eleven feet is the height from which 50% of tumbling humans will die. So be sure of your own capacities before you attempt it.

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by Boom23

I walked very slowly & carefully on the roof... Tried to stay on the ribs. I'm 200lbs. No problems.

I see my rv mechanic friend and his mechanic co-workers at Van City LV walk on their Chinooks & Pleasure Ways all the time on ribs. But they no longer AS dealer, not sure if they would've walked on AI with all the stuff up there.. They do have these fancy cat-walk & scaffold combo, but he told me they only use if need to put heavy stuff like A/C or awnings.

Umm, forgot to say I am 145lbs AND afraid of heights & can only do a simulated Spiderman crawl up there, so in retrospect, not best guy to give advice on this

[rmkrum]

Originally Posted by InterBlog

I do it all the time. Note, however, that the human “LH-50” is approximately 11 feet. I’ve corrupted a toxicology reference (LD-50) but basically what I mean is lethal height 50. Eleven feet is the height from which 50% of tumbling humans will die. So be sure of your own capacities before you attempt it.

And remember, as you get older and more brittle, the LH-50 gets lower...

[doctorlewis]

I have been having the question. I am going to replace the Fan-tastic Fans and will need to caulk around top. However, I weigh 310 pounds - not lite. So, I have been wondering if the roof will support me. Anyone know what the weight limit is??

[Fred L]

I don't have an Interstate, but I do get sufficient flexing on my trailer roof at 220 lbs. Have started using 2 pieces of 3/8in birch plywood (what I had at hand the first time) that is 2ft x 3 ft and move it to the locations I need to be.

My Easy Start just came in the mail too, so will be going up myself.

I try to keep the plywood spanning two ribs, with me as close to the ribs as I can.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to wear a safety strap and tie it off on one side of the trailer and park your car up tight on the same side youre tied off on, that way you do break a fall and hopefully reduce any injury.

[iaqstuff]

Originally Posted by doctorlewis

I have been having the question. I am going to replace the Fan-tastic Fans and will need to caulk around top. However, I weigh 310 pounds - not lite. So, I have been wondering if the roof will support me. Anyone know what the weight limit is??

I've been all over our 2013 AI and I'm 220#. I would strongly recommend staying off the factory seams and away from areas adjacent to roof penetrations. Do I think I caused damage - not really, but I think I was pushing the limits.

[pwlldvd]

I walked all over my 2015 Road-Trek Sprinter, no problems. Be Safe!

[ProTech]

When I installed mine I crawled around. I did fill a box with all the tools and parts needed. I also printed all the photos and instructions I could find online. On the day of the install I had my wife stay home so I had a Go-fer to avoid having to go down. The install went fine. One bit of advice is to buy the parts kit, unless you're sure you have those parts. The unit works great, just as advertised.