climbing on the roof... July 08, 2019, 04:35:06 pm who climbs up the ladder and onto their roof... and who doesn't... you can give your age if you want.I'm 71 and do it although with some hesitation.
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #1 – July 08, 2019, 05:13:12 pm I have a cover so I have to climb on my roof to remove it and put back on numerous times each year. I am 67 and have been doing it for 11 years without a mishap. Being small, lightweight, athletic, with no physical issues certainly helps. I try to be as mindful and careful as I can when up there, keeping in mind that this is an accident waiting to happen. When this cover falls apart I will not get a replacement, dreaming of a day I can just park my rig in my RV garage!Mike Liner'08 24' FL towing Subaru Forester
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #2 – July 08, 2019, 06:13:06 pm Climb at 70, very carefully. Every year the ground seems to get harder.Orwan gets covered when it's going to sit for more than a month or so. On and off in calm weather, again carefully.About the only thing I carry up to the roof is a rope which hauls everything else up.Joel
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #3 – July 08, 2019, 06:14:31 pm About three, four times a years or more. And most of the times to wash off the dirt and mold that loves the roof. It took three years of caring a full bucket of water and water hose before it dawned on me that I could carry the empty bucket then fill it up on the roof. DW will not let this old man (72) climb up without her being in the area. She knows one day I'll come flying off the roof trying to test gravity in that area. I keep telling her I'm sure it works so I don't have any desire to run that test. glen 3 Likes
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #4 – July 08, 2019, 06:29:36 pm Hi all:At age 79, still up 2 times a year, hose off and checking of any caulking issues. Do all VERY CAREFULLY11111Bob 1 Likes
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #5 – July 08, 2019, 06:32:34 pm 3-4 times a year to wash it80 year old womanNever without someone else presentNever with anything in my hands (I have a little winch thing on the roof to haul up tools.)I try and stay in the center after my elderly neighbor stood on the edge of his SOB, looked down, fainted and fell off.He broke lots of parts.The other, much safer way, is to climb up through the escape hatch but the ladder is faster.Langton 3 Likes
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #6 – July 08, 2019, 06:56:44 pm kool83704 - what causes you to hesitate?We do climb onto our roof regularly. We are in our early 60s.I am not fond of heights, so while I go onto the roof regularly I do hesitate beforehand - our original ladder is missing but we use a very sturdy multi-position ladder so my big discomfort is moving from the ladder to the rig but the extremely sturdy ladder helps. I just don't look straight down once I am up there (I do what I need to then come down). And if I can I stay on the ladder and just reach over I will do that instead. Once we replace the original ladder I think I will hesitate less but still hang on tight until I am up on the roof. Though I will always be careful at the edge or when I have to look down.DH is braver, he has sat on the edge.Jane
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #7 – July 08, 2019, 07:55:48 pm I quit doing foolish things like that years ago... the way I got it figured is that the money I'm saving on hospital bills will more than pay a detail shop to do the job. And look at all the unexpended sweat as well! 4 Likes
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #8 – July 08, 2019, 08:11:07 pm Since I don't see anybody jonesin' for the opportunity to take over the roof cleaning/checking/repairs, I still manage to haul my 78-year-old self and all the supplies up the ladder - and back down again! 6 Likes
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #9 – July 08, 2019, 08:34:55 pm Our roof gets hand washed every time we go out. I go up like a fairly young man and I come down like an old spider. Margee is not happy with me when I go up. (Actually most unhappy). I’m 73 years. 2 Likes
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #10 – July 08, 2019, 08:49:59 pm I have been around ladders most of my life and I DO NOT LIKE the back ladder. I think it is the angle, anyway I set up a 10' step ladder along side and make the transition across. I'll use the back ladder if truly needed but that's it. Just remember, when you think you are at the last step, it's usually two more steps to ground level. Keep count..Jon
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #11 – July 08, 2019, 11:44:25 pm I went up once last year to clean solar panels. I didn’t like it one bit, I’m 56. Like Lazy Bones I’ll pay someone to do that job. 🤪 1 Likes
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #12 – July 08, 2019, 11:58:24 pm While we're talking roof, what do you think the weight tolerance is?
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #13 – July 08, 2019, 11:59:55 pm Sure - done it once. Here's a Hollywood simulation of how it felt.
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #14 – July 09, 2019, 12:02:33 am Quote from: mboynton - July 08, 2019, 11:58:24 pmWhile we're talking roof, what do you think the weight tolerance is?I delicately asked the mother ship before and they were confident that if one followed instructions using weight distributing boards, it's quite ample for anyone fit enough to actually get there. The ladder worries me more than anything. I got religion.
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #15 – July 09, 2019, 12:09:16 am I'm thinking of a side ladder too...or maybe even snagging a loading dock somewhere I could just reach over for some tasks... not crazy 'bout that ladder even if I DID eat fewer cookies....
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #16 – July 09, 2019, 04:00:26 am Weight tolerance, I think it is pretty good. I have been all over up there and I am not a small thing.The 2x4s (I think that is what is in the ceiling) are spaced pretty close together in our LD and the run across is only 8.5'.Lumber is pretty sturdy, assuming they used metal tie-ins of some sort to connect the roof to the walls to the flooring, it should be pretty solid.Like any roof/ceiling, it is nice to put the weight on the framing (I have seen people step between rafters and go right thru the drywall ceilings). I wouldn't necessarily stand on one foot and hop around to see what happens (more lbs in a smaller spot) and I would pay attention to any dipping of the roof and if it dipped I would move to a more solid spot (looking for those structural supports).Jane 3 Likes
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #17 – July 09, 2019, 09:11:23 am I use a similar ladder-climbing procedure to that reported by JonS, i.e., I set up an 8' ladder next to the LD's ladder, use the tripod ladder's rungs to climb past the angle on the LD's rear (no sense hanging out in space, defying the laws of physics and making the climb any more difficult than it has to be), then go up the rest of the way on the rig ladder. Since my rig is a 2003, it still has the rails around the top edge; maneuvering through the narrow space at the top can be a bit dicey, but it's manageable. I do put my cell (in a baggie if the roof jaunt involves hosing and scrubbing) in a pocket and wear water shoes (and ancient pair from river rafting days) for better traction when I go on the roof; the roof can be slick when wet, and there is a lot of stuff - like solar panels - to trip and fall on. If I know I'm going to be doing something that requires being on my knees up there for any length of time, I use knee pads. Getting up on the roof of the rig is not something that's real high on my list of "fun stuff to do", but, for me, the only viable option for routine cleaning and maintenance. As ever, YMMV. 2 Likes
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #18 – July 09, 2019, 09:40:12 am 72, I go up 3-4 times a year to clean and check things out. 1 Likes
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #19 – July 09, 2019, 12:57:06 pm I've been following this thread with much interest. I am in agreement with Lazy Bones 1 & 2, pay someone! I know age is just a number and not necessarily an indicator of ability but, frankly, the thought of people in their 80's climbing on rooftops makes me shudder. I'm trying to imagine my mom, in her mid-80's, doing so- NOT! This thread reminds me of a few songs. First, you go up on the roof:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vbZZG57oikThen you slip and slide:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNt5FnMK2sMNext thing you know, you're free falling!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgZjwHNcWqg 5 Likes
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #20 – July 09, 2019, 02:33:38 pm Once a year, ascending with hose/sponge/cleaning solution in hand/attached to belt loops (bungees are such a wonderful invention)...I was so proud of myself the first time I completed this task I channelled Helen Reddy & serenaded the neighbors with a rousing chorus of I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar ; the deafening silence was broken by the guffaws of the 20-something kid I had whacking bushes in the front yard. A soon to be 65 I am thankful for y'all in the 7th & 8th decades who have inspired me that The Little Engine That Could is not just for pre-schoolers. I would rather climb the funky back ladder to heave myself over the edge of the LD than do the ladder marathon to clean the gutters on the single-story stix (climb ladder with blower/blow as far as possible/descend ladder/move ladder 3 feet/ascend ladder & repeat all previous steps until the entire perimeter has been blown). It would be much easier if I had something as sturdily attached as the LD ladder & had the confidence of 30 years ago to heave myself over the edge of the stix, but those gutters look awfully flimsy compared to the rail at the top of the LD ladder. Lynne 1 Likes
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #21 – July 09, 2019, 02:49:20 pm I've been climbing since I was a little boy. I used to get into some pretty precarious situationsfrom lack of fear. It didn't take me too long to figure out, it was a lot easier going up than coming back down.I keep that in mind when going up on the roof, which I do at least a dozen times a year.And , I'm one of the younger ones around here at 61. 1 Likes
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #22 – July 09, 2019, 09:41:06 pm As and addition to my previous post.I have an older LD equipped with the escape hatch.I've used it a couple of times to get up on the roof without having to use the ladder.It's a contortion act, but it's a doable option.
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #23 – July 10, 2019, 04:27:08 am Oh my gosh, Glen....I never thought to fill the bucket AFTER I got up there. I’ve been hauling it with me up the ladder, full. 🙄I climb up there to wash, but I’m fairly young in this crowd. My only time I had to really watch, was over winter when we got 18” of snow over night. I crawled up and very meticulously pushed the snow off the roof with my (by the end frozen) legs and arms, while trying to figure out where the edges of the RV actually were. I definitely was sitting or lying down the entire time up there. My goal was to prevent the roof from caving in. He he 1 Likes
Re: climbing on the roof... Reply #24 – July 10, 2019, 08:28:13 am Rebecca, next time you might try getting up on a ladder next to the RV and using a long-handled push broom to push/pull the snow off the roof. Might be a little safer than getting on the LD roof. At least if you fall, the snow will soften the blow a bit. 😉
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