aluminum roof December 10, 2020, 07:17:57 am I was wondering about the aluminum roof and walking on it to look for possible issues. what's under it I'm a big guy 265lbs would there be a problem ?
Re: aluminum roof Reply #1 – December 10, 2020, 08:53:42 am My manual says it’s plywood underneath and safe to walk on. It doesn’t specify a weight limit though so hopefully someone more knowledgeable will comment.
Re: aluminum roof Reply #2 – December 10, 2020, 08:57:04 am Never heard of anyone having a problem. It's a plywood underlay. Now if you are looking at an ancient LD, possibly there could be roof rot. But, that would be unusual.
Re: aluminum roof Reply #3 – December 10, 2020, 09:09:10 am Thank you , just don’t wan to put any dents in it(if I ever find one to check out) . Still on the hunt .
Re: aluminum roof Reply #4 – December 10, 2020, 09:12:16 am When I first got mine in 2008, I was 340 lbs. I am now 280. I have been on my roof lots of times.Ken F in NM 1 Likes
Re: aluminum roof Reply #5 – December 10, 2020, 01:12:51 pm Quote from: Kenneth Fears - December 10, 2020, 09:12:16 amWhen I first got mine in 2008, I was 340 lbs. I am now 280. I have been on my roof lots of times.Ken F in NMDid you use the attached ladder?
Re: aluminum roof Reply #7 – December 10, 2020, 03:46:03 pm Quote from: Sullyboy61 - December 10, 2020, 01:12:51 pmDid you use the attached ladder?As we age it is helpful (and safer) to have a step ladder adjacent to the LD ladder, especially when descending.Chris
Re: aluminum roof Reply #8 – December 10, 2020, 03:53:01 pm "As we age it is helpful (and safer) to have a step ladder adjacent to the LD ladder, especially when descending."---An auxiliary ladder also allows the climber to get past the gravity-defying outward bend in the rig's ladder. I use an 8' ladder to get up past the bend, then step onto the rig's ladder to go the rest of the way. 1 Likes
Re: aluminum roof Reply #9 – December 10, 2020, 05:51:43 pm Joan, where do you stow your 8 foot ladder?
Re: aluminum roof Reply #10 – December 10, 2020, 06:00:47 pm Going up is not as bad, for me, as coming down. It's finding the step and getting both feet in before slowly cautiously shifting my weight to my feet. I am replacing a vent fan and have had to transit the ladder several times this week. A forklift would be nice to have, just walk off it to the roof.I have a 4-foot folding ladder that I store in the rear driver's side bin in case I need it while on the road, 2 Likes
Re: aluminum roof Reply #11 – December 10, 2020, 09:07:42 pm Sullyboy61 Walking on the roof is fine but it is better if you try to step on the joists in the roof rather than in between them - the joists are just stronger support. If I remember right it actually said that in our manual. On ours you can feel a tiny bit of give if you are between joists which could help you find the joists. So no problem if you are between joists (unless there is big rot problems). You can see where the joists are (at least in older LDs) by looking for the fastener (nail or maybe screws in newer models) in the ceiling (looking from the inside) and going in a line from side to side of the LD. There is framing around each vent/air conditioner/hatch and on either side of those in ours where the joists go across the roof. We also have one at the side of our fridge (the non wardrobe side).We use a heavy duty ladder to climb on the roof. I am like Don, not fond of heights (even 10 '), give me crawl space or an attic instead. It is the transition that I am careful of, the same as Don, and we have a rule one person can't go up on the roof by themselves unless someone else is around (just in case). Scott does the transition fine (going up he turns and sits on the roof with his legs hanging over the edge then swings his feet onto the roof - I am not that comfortable doing that (I climb onto the LD on my knees looking away from the edge ).Jane 1 Likes
Re: aluminum roof Reply #12 – December 11, 2020, 11:59:40 am "where do you stow your 8 foot ladder?"---Next to the fence at the house! 3 Likes
Re: aluminum roof Reply #13 – December 11, 2020, 12:46:53 pm Quote from: Joan - December 11, 2020, 11:59:40 am"where do you stow your 8 foot ladder?"---Next to the fence at the house! Oh, so you don’t carry it with you?BTW, when I read through the manual I didn’t see any reference to walking on the joists but that’s not a bad idea if you can find them.
Re: aluminum roof Reply #14 – December 11, 2020, 12:48:29 pm Quote from: Jane and Scott - December 10, 2020, 09:07:42 pmWalking on the roof is fine but it is better if you try to step on the joists in the roof rather than in between them - the joists are just stronger support. If I remember right it actually said that in our manual. On ours you can feel a tiny bit of give if you are between joists which could help you find the joists. So no problem if you are between joists (unless there is big rot problems).. There is framing around each vent/air conditioner/hatch and on either side of those in ours where the joists go across the roof. We also have one at the side of our fridge (the non wardrobe side).I mark the roof joists, on the roof, with strips of 2" wide 3M Safety Walk tape and try to always step on the high-friction tape.https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-2-in-x-15-ft-Safety-Walk-Step-and-Ladder-Tread-Tape-7635NA/100132176I have been on top of dozens of LDs, hundreds of times and have never felt like it causes damage. Our 2003 LD's roof gets walk on regularly, while loading or unloading the kayaks.Larry 6 Likes
Re: aluminum roof Reply #15 – December 11, 2020, 08:01:18 pm Quote from: Larry W - December 11, 2020, 12:48:29 pmI mark the roof joists, on the roof, with strips of 2" wide 3M Safety Walk tape and try to always step on the high-friction tape.https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-2-in-x-15-ft-Safety-Walk-Step-and-Ladder-Tread-Tape-7635NA/100132176I have been on top of dozens of LDs, hundreds of times and have never felt like it causes damage. Our 2003 LD's roof gets walk on regularly, while loading or unloading the kayaks.LarryHi LarryWhat is the sealant around the antenna? Would you put tape over that?Thank you,Denis
Re: aluminum roof Reply #16 – December 11, 2020, 08:29:38 pm Quote from: Sullyboy61 - December 11, 2020, 08:01:18 pmWhat is the sealant around the antenna? Would you put tape over that?The sealant shown is the original polyurethane. I would not cover it with Eternabond Tape, it will not stick.When aged, the Factory sealant can be cleaned and then top-coated with either Dicor or a polyurethane.Larry 1 Likes
Re: aluminum roof Reply #17 – December 12, 2020, 03:17:47 am I have used the bunk ladder to make up the difference between ground and the start of the exterior ladder. Though at home I have a ladder that sticks up above the roof. I use pipe insulation to protect the paint from the hard edge. 1 Likes
Re: aluminum roof Reply #18 – December 12, 2020, 08:38:32 am Quote from: Larry W - December 11, 2020, 08:29:38 pmThe sealant shown is the original polyurethane. I would not cover it with Eternabond Tape, it will not stick.When aged, the Factory sealant can be cleaned and then top-coated with either Dicor or a polyurethane.Larrywhen the factory sealant is aged will it crack ? and when or if removing would would a heat gun be helpful? or is it cleaned with a solvent?Denis
Re: aluminum roof Reply #19 – December 12, 2020, 09:12:31 am For my first 5 years or so, I simply used the fixed ladder. I then acquired a 5' step ladder. I now lean the folded step ladder against the fixed ladder, easing the load on my hands when going up and down. Traveling, the step ladder is attached to the fixed ladder. I use a device I found on line for holding a ladder. That is mounted fairly high on the fixed ladder. The lower part of the ladder is then tied VERY FIRMLY (and I am good with knots) to the fixed ladder. Seven years that way, and no problems yet.Ken F in NM 1 Likes
Re: aluminum roof Reply #20 – December 12, 2020, 09:39:53 am Is there any problem with just using the bumper to step up? I noticed there is some nonskid on the bumper and assumed that is the reason why it’s there.
Re: aluminum roof Reply #21 – December 12, 2020, 12:32:49 pm I said we carried a 4-foot ladder. That is not quite true. The over length is 4'3", but the third step is only 2 feet. It fits in the driver side rear bin of a MB.It is a Leifheit ladder. We bought it at The Container Store crossing from Montclair to Alabama back in 2007.It's still available from them. Amazon has a variety of like ladders.
Re: aluminum roof Reply #22 – December 12, 2020, 12:54:09 pm HiLola, no problem with stepping on the bumper. Still, the lower part of the fixed ladder is tilted backward. That puts a strain on one's hands and arms. Up to around 2015, I could handle that strain with a sense of certainty. Not today. So. I use my step ladder to get me up to the point where the fixed ladder is tilting away from me. That takes the strain off my hands. But for most, there is nothing wrong with stepping on the bumper. As you suspected, that is why the anti-skid material is there.Ken F in NM 1 Likes
Re: aluminum roof Reply #23 – December 12, 2020, 12:56:31 pm Quote from: HiLola - December 12, 2020, 09:39:53 amIs there any problem with just using the bumper to step up? I noticed there is some nonskid on the bumper and assumed that is the reason why it’s there.I use the bumper as my first step, the nonslip adds a layer of safety.Larry 1 Likes
Re: aluminum roof Reply #24 – December 12, 2020, 01:06:14 pm Quote from: Sullyboy61 - December 12, 2020, 08:38:32 amwhen the factory sealant is aged will it crack ? and when or if removing would a heat gun be helpful? or is it cleaned with a solvent?The sealant you see does little, the true seal is between the object (vent, antenna, etc) and the roof which can only be replaced by removal, cleaning and reapplication of sealant. The Factory installations rarely fail and leak unless the object sealed, such as a vent, is cracked or broken in some way.It is not necessary to remove the old sealant unless the vent or ? is being replaced. Top coating the old sealant is all most need to do.The roof seams should be sealed when the Factory sealant starts shrinking. The main source of leakage in newer LDs is in the rear wall, caused by leaking end caps or rear window,.Larry
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