Walk on roof
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From: Thomaston
Walk on roof
Renewing the research for our new trailer. Some of the models we are considering are the Keystone Cougars 33RES, 33SAB, 33MLS . Also the 326and 328Rl Outbacks. We have already looked at the Denali 287re.
I read on one of the Keystone forums that on at least the Cougar line the roof is no longer considered walk on and no provisions for a ladder.
How critical is the walk on roof? Not we are planning on camping or sitting on the roof.
I read on one of the Keystone forums that on at least the Cougar line the roof is no longer considered walk on and no provisions for a ladder.
How critical is the walk on roof? Not we are planning on camping or sitting on the roof.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Bristol, TN.
Pretty easy to tell by simply putting weight on it. If there is too much give use a 3 x 3 piece of plywood or similar to distribute your weight. The bottom line is when the roof needs work or maintenance, or the air conditioner needs repair, someone has to be up on the roof. I have gotten pretty good at walking on the stringers. I weigh 185 by the way and regard 200 pounds as a reasonable cutoff. 
Ladders are more often left off to save money rather than due to roof structure, thought I regard the typical RV ladders as dangerous due to how narrow they are. I always use an extension ladder off my truck unless I am going up for just a quick look around.
With Ultra light sales taking off, the manufacturers go about saving weight any way they can. "Decontenting" the roof structure is one way to do it, another is the floor.
Steve
Ladders are more often left off to save money rather than due to roof structure, thought I regard the typical RV ladders as dangerous due to how narrow they are. I always use an extension ladder off my truck unless I am going up for just a quick look around.
With Ultra light sales taking off, the manufacturers go about saving weight any way they can. "Decontenting" the roof structure is one way to do it, another is the floor.
Steve
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From: Frederick, MD
I'd be getting up there fairly often.
You would be surprised at the amount of repairs that are needed after just a couple of years.
Look at the brochures and the pictures of the frame structure. That should give you some idea of the durability.
Using some plywood like Steve suggested is always a good idea if you are going to be up there doing something major.
You would be surprised at the amount of repairs that are needed after just a couple of years.
Look at the brochures and the pictures of the frame structure. That should give you some idea of the durability.
Using some plywood like Steve suggested is always a good idea if you are going to be up there doing something major.
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Postmaster
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From: Thomaston
Thanks guys
Here it is where I got the info from
2015 Cougar XLite breaking news..... - Keystone RV Forums
Here it is where I got the info from
2015 Cougar XLite breaking news..... - Keystone RV Forums
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
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From: Bristol, TN.
No challenging your info, but no one is servicing an air conditioner unit or replacing one by leaning over the roof on a ladder. That would be dangerous at best and I am not sure it could even be done.
As noted in the post, Passports also do not have walkable roofs and have not for a good while, but you still have to do the same stuff and I have worked on them from up on the roof. Not encouraging anyone to do dumb stuff, but if the choice is between maintaining your RV by hanging off a ladder versus working with care while up on the roof, I am in the camp of the second choice (again weight is a factor here).
Recaulk roof vents leaning off the ladder? I often wonder if the guys at the factories who say this stuff ever come out of their offices! But for sure, without a backer in the wall, there is no way to anchor a ladder.
My two cents and no roofs damaged yet! I guess just another reason to avoid ultra-lights.
Steve
As noted in the post, Passports also do not have walkable roofs and have not for a good while, but you still have to do the same stuff and I have worked on them from up on the roof. Not encouraging anyone to do dumb stuff, but if the choice is between maintaining your RV by hanging off a ladder versus working with care while up on the roof, I am in the camp of the second choice (again weight is a factor here).
Recaulk roof vents leaning off the ladder? I often wonder if the guys at the factories who say this stuff ever come out of their offices! But for sure, without a backer in the wall, there is no way to anchor a ladder.
My two cents and no roofs damaged yet! I guess just another reason to avoid ultra-lights.
Steve
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From: Thomaston
No challenging your info, but no one is servicing an air conditioner unit or replacing one by leaning over the roof on a ladder. That would be dangerous at best and I am not sure it could even be done.
As noted in the post, Passports also do not have walkable roofs and have not for a good while, but you still have to do the same stuff and I have worked on them from up on the roof. Not encouraging anyone to do dumb stuff, but if the choice is between maintaining your RV by hanging off a ladder versus working with care while up on the roof, I am in the camp of the second choice (again weight is a factor here).
Recaulk roof vents leaning off the ladder? I often wonder if the guys at the factories who say this stuff ever come out of their offices! But for sure, without a backer in the wall, there is no way to anchor a ladder.
My two cents and no roofs damaged yet!
Steve
As noted in the post, Passports also do not have walkable roofs and have not for a good while, but you still have to do the same stuff and I have worked on them from up on the roof. Not encouraging anyone to do dumb stuff, but if the choice is between maintaining your RV by hanging off a ladder versus working with care while up on the roof, I am in the camp of the second choice (again weight is a factor here).
Recaulk roof vents leaning off the ladder? I often wonder if the guys at the factories who say this stuff ever come out of their offices! But for sure, without a backer in the wall, there is no way to anchor a ladder.
My two cents and no roofs damaged yet!
Steve
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From: Millersville, MD
You need to walk on the roof?? Lookit this: Northwood | Video 32 on the roof Arctic Fox Camper
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From: very South Texas
I have an old Coachmen... with an arched roof.
but I was wondering about the Light and Ultra-X-lite trailers..
I stay near the side walls and where I can see the cross beams.... and bare footed..OK, with socks... oh, I am 250.... treading lightly as possible.
for inspection and minor repairs...
Thank You for the information.
.
.
but I was wondering about the Light and Ultra-X-lite trailers..
I stay near the side walls and where I can see the cross beams.... and bare footed..OK, with socks... oh, I am 250.... treading lightly as possible.
for inspection and minor repairs...
Thank You for the information.
.
.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,899
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From: Upstate NY
Our '01 27 foot Sunline Solaris TT had a 'tender' roof. My fix was similar to what Steve posed - plywood. I had 2 pieces of 3/8" or 1/2", 18" wide by 4' long. Put one down across 3 rafters, walk the length and put the other down, then pick up the first and continue as needed. The last and current 5ers - walk on roofs along with flimsy access ladders that I seldom use, instead use a regular 16' leaned against the top with a comfortable climbing angle.
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Joined: Feb 2016
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From: Gods Country...Georgia
hturner12,
Check out the Jayco's. I have a '15 White Hawk 33' and walk the roof of mine every time we take it out. I sweep the tops of the slides before we pull them in to make sure there are no leaves/debris or water pooled up on them. I got up there a couple weeks ago and cleaned the roof without any issues. Saving up for some slide awnings which will cut down on my trips up the ladder, but for now we are making good use of it. Open the link below, then scroll down until you see the "Magnum Truss Roof System" and watch the video. Good luck with your decision.
The Jayco Difference
Check out the Jayco's. I have a '15 White Hawk 33' and walk the roof of mine every time we take it out. I sweep the tops of the slides before we pull them in to make sure there are no leaves/debris or water pooled up on them. I got up there a couple weeks ago and cleaned the roof without any issues. Saving up for some slide awnings which will cut down on my trips up the ladder, but for now we are making good use of it. Open the link below, then scroll down until you see the "Magnum Truss Roof System" and watch the video. Good luck with your decision.
The Jayco Difference
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Bristol, TN.
My thought would be to give serious thought to the wisdom of buying any towable without a walkable roof, regardless of who makes it. Not being able to walk on the roof is a deterrent to roof maintenance and, in my opinion, if you or someone is not up on the roof at least twice a year, the roof is being neglected. Never a good thing.
Steve
Steve