Being new to the RV world and this being my first 5er I have been doing everything to the roof from a ladder along the sides. I went to my local dealer the other day to get something and the person in the service dept said to the person in front of me when you get up on the roof to check ..... In my head I was saying up on the roof ???I did not realize it was safe to get up on the roof without maybe coming through it ? I just assumed when work had to be done people used a braced something across them in order to work on them. I am a pretty big guy 280lbs and just want to confirm with owners here that I can get on the roof without the risk of going through it or doing any damage ?Wish I had of known this before would have made cleaning the rood with that brush and pole this summer WAY easier than doing it from the sides !

It's ok to gt up on the roof. But there is probably a 275# limit--;)

Before I took sick I weighed in around 240 and my two daughters combined weight is probably 275 or so.All three of us have been up on my roof at the same time with no issue. Not knowing the overall condition of your RV I would pay attention for any soft spots just in case there is some unseen rot developing.I will be bringing my 5th wheel home today to clean and winterize it for the season as we are not able to go out any more this year. Part of that is to get up and inspect, clean, and treat the roof.

I'm 280 also and I only go on the roof when it's absolutely necessary. I try to step where the roof trusses are located. When I did my air conditioning work this summer, I took up a piece of 1/4" plywood to spread the load.The roof is NOT made to handle my weight or yours on a regular basis. Your RV may be different but I doubt it.That's why I clean the edge of the roof from a ladder and DW cleans the middle from on the roof.

It's always better to have the wife get up there and clean the roof...:B...she bounces easier...:B..most roofs can handle that weight on an infrequent basis, but I would use the plywood to spread it out. 1/4 sheet should be sufficient. Just be careful as you would climbing on any elevated place..we have a tendency to "splat" rather than "bounce" if we fall, and that's not good....Dennis

Being overweight and on a RV roof is just bad business on many levels. I have found with a quality professional grade 12' step ladder 95% of stuff can be done from the ladder. The kids replaced our two roof AC gaskets and I coached from the ladder and the inside 2-3 years ago. They pull the AC shells when we do a detail washing every year or two because we have trees.

Getting on the roof ? | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

Tin_Pusher
Explorer II
Sep 08, 2013
scbwr wrote:
The most important thing to do is check the manufacturers specs in terms whether it is a "walk on" roof and, if possible, any weight limitations. If you were concerned about it, you can use a plank or piece of plywood to distribute the weight over two or more trusses.

Yes for sure, don't put a foot thru it:(
Bigmoss
Explorer
Sep 08, 2013
Thanks for all the replies guys, mine does not have a ladder so I have to use a step ladder from the sides
waltbennett
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
Any 5er with a ladder should be safe for an average person to walk about on the roof. Look out for some of the newer ultra-lite's that don't have a ladder though. I read somewhere a few months back that they did not have strong enough roofs to support walking on. A new owner posted something about coming across this tidbit in his manual by accident before he tried getting on top. He also said there were no warning labels or signs anywhere either. Just another feature . . .
ksbowman
Explorer II
Sep 07, 2013
My wife weighs more than my 170, so I'll stick to getting on the roof. I've been up there in a driving rain when a vent wouldn't close. My outlook is they wouldn't have put a ladder up there if they didn't expect one to get up there. That said I make sure to step near or on where the roof joist are.
Dtaylor
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
Make sure you have a "walk on" roof as all are not. You can also use small panels of plywood to spread the weight over a greater area.
rattleNsmoke
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
I'm 250 and the ladder creaks and groans when I go up and down. I try never to put both feet on the same rung. The roof is only 3/8" plywood or OSB if you have a cheapy. That scares the bejesus out of me.
Traveler_II
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
I’m 170 pounds and 70 years old and being on the roof has never bother me, on the other hand the ladders on all the RV’s we had make all kinds of noises when I climb up and down on them, they worry me more. I've also found that with time the plastic clips on the end of the runs of the ladder need to be checked.
45Ricochet
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
I thought I read somewhere that the RV ladder is only rated to 200 lbs :H
Anyway I don't get on the roof unless I have to. I use the 12' ladder and pole brush to clean it.
scbwr
Explorer II
Sep 07, 2013
The most important thing to do is check the manufacturers specs in terms whether it is a "walk on" roof and, if possible, any weight limitations. If you were concerned about it, you can use a plank or piece of plywood to distribute the weight over two or more trusses.

I'm going to have a ladder installed on my trailer in a couple of weeks, but I would rather do as much cleaning or work from a ladder placed alongside the trailer rather than walking on the roof....I'm not getting any younger and I don't want to take a tumble!
Gale_Hawkins
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
Being overweight and on a RV roof is just bad business on many levels. I have found with a quality professional grade 12' step ladder 95% of stuff can be done from the ladder. The kids replaced our two roof AC gaskets and I coached from the ladder and the inside 2-3 years ago. They pull the AC shells when we do a detail washing every year or two because we have trees.