Need CAD drawing of the roof contour

[perryg114]

I was wondering if someone had a CAD or scale drawing of the roof contour. I am trying to design a scaffold to go on the roof so I can work up there more easily. Someone on the forums had a 3D model of an Airstream.

Perry

[heslinhotel]

When I have to work on the roof I use 2 2x6's on their edge running front to rear spanning at least 3 ribs with 2x4's screwed across the the top. I then place a piece of 1/2" ply on top to complete platform. Using screws makes it easy to remove.

[DKB_SATX]

Remember that the roof contours differ over the years. If you want something that actually sits snugly on the roof, yours would differ markedly from the later wide-body trailers, but if you're looking for something that would stand on the ground to either side and clear the trailer, building to the later contour would work for older trailers as well.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by heslinhotel

When I have to work on the roof I use 2 2x6's on their edge running front to rear spanning at least 3 ribs with 2x4's screwed across the the top. I then place a piece of 1/2" ply on top to complete platform. Using screws makes it easy to remove.

This is on the list for a winter project for me. Could you post some pics and maybe elaborate on dimensions? Did you bevel the 2x6 edges? Carpet or other material on roof contact points? etc.......

On a widebody, would vertical 2x4s work better?

[truckasaurus]

I you take a look at the Airstream models in Google's Sketchup you'll find a few.

[c_lewis77]

Check the construction rental places for scaffolding. I am getting them relatively cheap for my jobs and you can configure them to fit whatever you need ( like legos). might be an easy way to accomplish what you are trying to do!

[HiHoAgRV]

or do like the rest of us...prop a ladder on the awning rail...climb up and stand on the rivet lines

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by c_lewis77

Check the construction rental places for scaffolding. I am getting them relatively cheap for my jobs and you can configure them to fit whatever you need ( like legos). might be an easy way to accomplish what you are trying to do!

Yeah, if I only had room in suburbia....one day.....

[perryg114]

Ok Maybe Scaffolding was the wrong word. How about a platform that will allow me to work and move around up there without killing my knees, back, and torn ligament in my foot. I will work on a drawing and show everyone what I have in mind. I am going to have to replace the AC soon so I better get comfortable.

Perry

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by perryg114

Ok Maybe Scaffolding was the wrong word. How about a platform that will allow me to work and move around up there without killing my knees, back, and torn ligament in my foot. I will work on a drawing and show everyone what I have in mind. I am going to have to replace the AC soon so I better get comfortable.

Perry

I know exactly what you mean, a platform which fits the curvature of the roof and is large enough to move around to relieve those joints without sticking some boney part through the soft aluminum between the ribs while trying to hoist an air conditioner around......or whatever.....

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by perryg114

Ok Maybe Scaffolding was the wrong word. How about a platform that will allow me to work and move around up there without killing my knees, back, and torn ligament in my foot. I will work on a drawing and show everyone what I have in mind. I am going to have to replace the AC soon so I better get comfortable.

Perry

Ya might be overthinkin' this...

I suspect you will spend more time riggin some sort of roof platform than is required to replace the AC unit.

On edit...you have probably already spent more time on this thread than is required to do the swap!

A couple of wire clips from inside, 4 bolts and off it comes. I probably spent spent less that :10 on the roof during my install.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f205...tml#post839907

[Inland RV Center, In]

Every dealers mechanics, as well as the factories, walk on any Airstream or Argosy roofs, every day.

I have been doing it for over 46 years, without ever having or causing any problems, and so have all my mechanics.

DO NOT however, walk forward or rearward of the awning rail. If you do, you will damage some segments.

To make a platform, is a waste of time, a waste of money, a waste of talent, and is totally unnecessary.

In spite of the holidays, just don't do a polka or any other kind of dance while on the roof.

Wear rubber soled shoes, and DO NOT ever attempt to get on the roof, if it's wet in any way.

Lean a ladder against a side window drip rail, thats cushioned with a towel.

Climb the ladder, grab ahold of the awning if one is there, and do whatever it is that you need to check or repair.

Andy

[perryg114]

Well Andy that may work fine for skinny folks. I am just looking for a way to be able to move around and stay comfortable. If I were still in my 30's and not weighing 260lbs with knee, foot, and back problems I would agree with you. I can and have gotten up there but it is not something I want to do for long periods of time.

Perry

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by perryg114

Well Andy that may work fine for skinny folks. I am just looking for a way to be able to move around and stay comfortable. If I were still in my 30's and not weighing 260lbs with knee, foot, and back problems I would agree with you. I can and have gotten up there but it is not something I want to do for long periods of time.

Perry

Perry.

Over 40 years ago, the Ohio factory had 30 adult men, all stand on the roof of a 30 foot Airstream, all at the same time, to show it's strength.

Result??

No damage.

Great advertising.

I understand your concern, however, our shop foreman weighs a little more than you do.

Andy

[CanoeStream]

This thread discusses the same topic and has links to other discussions. Shari's photo in post 22 shows a viable option; you could do the same with rented scaffold. I might do something like that if I was installing an air conditioner. The factory Service Center lifts air conditioners to the roof with a forklift -- but the worker installing it is standing on the roof.

[dznf0g]

My case for a platform is not for walking around. It's for kneeling and sitting when I have time consuming service to do, like removing sealer and resealing, Replacing skylights, etc.

I've walked around for the little quick jobs just fine by keeping my skinny feet on the rivet lines. I want to displace multiple pressure points of crawling around over a large area. Also, it's hard to keep my broad butt on the rivet lines!

[slowmover]

The rivet line, you'll notice, is not mentioned by Andy. It's a non-starter.

[dznf0g]

Whatever....I just don't like being off the ribs and stringers.

[DFlores]

Here is my solution for us inexperienced roof climbers. I bought a 9 step warehouse ladder that originally was used by Best Buy. I am now making a little cantilever (sp) platform to put my belly on as I work on top of my 68 safari, which is more rounded that the newer models. I first tried the ladder and 2x4, but it did not put me in a good position to step on top, maybe I'm just scared of falling off?

[Kosm1o]

I have a piece of dense styrofoam about 2 x 4 ' that I lay up where I might be working. Its fairly comfortable when on a knee and is easy to handle.