Man On Roof

[Sundance]

I have to get on the roof for repairs. How do you do this without damaging the trailer??? Do you use something to distribute the weight???

How much weight can the roof safely handle??

[overlander63]

The roof is supposed to be able to hold a great deal of weight, stay on the rib lines (where the rivets are).

[Silvertwinkie]

You can also lay down some comforters and some small sheets of plywood on the rivet lines if it makes you feel better.

One clever forum person had 2 cube trucks and put board across them to get to the roof without being on it.

I recently found out that you can rent scaffolding that does the same thing and also won't force you to do an EVA on the roof too!

[balrgn]

Originally Posted by Sundance

I have to get on the roof for repairs. How do you do this without damaging the trailer??? Do you use something to distribute the weight???

How much weight can the roof safely handle??

I've been up plenty of times, Head Terry's advice, stay near the ribs, use soft sole shoes...

[rebel beck]

Last year I rented 4 sets of scaffolding to work on the top. It worked out great. We put 2 sections on each side and then ran 2 wide boards across (not touching the trailer) I had to use 2 wide boards for my wide rear, you may only need one If you are scarred of heights this is one way to get over the fear.

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by rebel beck

you are scarred of heights this is one way to get over the fear.

I jumped out of a plane at 15k feet. Didn't help all that much, but I can say first hand the scaffold thing is way neat to use. I can't believe I ever worked without it.

[Sundance]

I got up there and removed the bad, broken Armstrong shroud. Horrible engineering there!! I have 5 tier of scaffold and 2 sets of wheels........ I will give your idea a go

[malconium]

I weigh in at about 245lbs and I have had no particular trouble on my 1973 31' roof. I did stay close to the rivet lines and I also wore a pair of soft and flexible rubber knee pads which made a huge difference in being able to get down close enough to things to work on. Just test an area before you step or kneel on it to see if it is solid and you can do OK. Scafolding no doubt would be nice but I think it depends on just how much work you have to do on top whether or not it would be worth the trouble to set up.

Malcolm

[lewster]

I use a 16" X 36" X 2" block of semi-hard foam as a base pad, then put a 2 X 10 over it to use as a platform any time I'm on my roof. I started using this on my CCD and continue, especially when on a client's roof. There is NO WAY I want to be responsible for putting so much as a scratch in a customer's roof!

To get up there, I use a Little Giant ladder perpendicular to the roof line, then place the pad and 2-by in line with it, then place a 2 X 12 on top of both. Makes a nice platform to gain access with.

[crestonrv]

boards and crap like that just increase the riskof damage, tennis shoes,stay on the rivet lines and test your footing as you go.on the roof is not the problem getting there is i usually use the awning rail as a toe hold from an 8" ladder and step onto rib and off same way and have been doing it that way since 69 note top drip shield over door works as well. take this as you will i have been at this a long time and am comfortable doing a lot of things that those not as familar might find scary,i have never damaged a roof by walking on it i have dropped a screwgun 1 time that punched a nice 1/4" hole in a used excella.the boss comped the labour for r&r a/c and pan,a 1/2" button rivet and some vulkem took care of the hole(i got reemed) it won't happen again that was a very long time ago. best advise be careful getting on/off and whatch where you put your feet.

[cammur]

Lew,

What is the source of your 2" thick semi-hard foam? Sounds good, but I can't think of what this would be, unless you mean something like a foam seat cushion.

Cam

[lewster]

Originally Posted by cammur

Lew,

What is the source of your 2" thick semi-hard foam? Sounds good, but I can't think of what this would be, unless you mean something like a foam seat cushion.

Cam

Hey Cam,

I actually came across 2 pieces of this stuff from the auto body shop that's next door to my office. It was used as packing for a large fender, and I have yet to find more of it! I'm sure that it's available, and the material seems a lot like the hard foam gaskets used on the bottom of new roof RV air conditioners. It's hard enough to distribute the weight (especially with a 2 X 8 on the top) and soft enough to not mar the finish of the aluminum.

I have a source for other types of foam, and maybe I cen get them to send me some samples to see what comes close.

[overlander63]

If you're really concerned about it, you can get a kneeling pad at most auto parts and tool stores. It will help save your knees, and distribute the load of your weight a little. It has a handle for carrying, weighs a pound or so, and you can use it almost everywhere.