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

Executive45
Explorer III
Sep 07, 2013
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
joebedford
Nomad II
Sep 07, 2013
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.
dpgllg
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
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.
Luke_Porter
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
It's ok to gt up on the roof. But there is probably a 275# limit--;)

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Getting on the roof ?

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