I had an Alfa RV for many years until it pretty much fell apart, then got a cheap Cougar fifth wheel. The Alfa had a flat roof that made it easy to clean. The Cougar curves down in the front. I live in an RV park and I do not pull the Cougar to anywhere.I am 73 now and don't mind getting up on the roof, but I wish there is some idea on how I can establish something to hang on to up there or at least have available to grap if I need to keep my balance. Why they don't put something up there for this purpose is beyond me.Any ideas. I thought about running a rope around the girth and attach it up top to something that is high enough off the roof to grap it (two feet?) If you have a fabulous idea, let me know!Thanks

Please, with all due respect, don't do it. As you probably know, these roofs can be incredibly slick when wet. Hard enough to stay upright on a level one. Is there anyone who could help you by doing it, or are you able to pay someone? On the other hand, many people never clean their roofs. Most important is the caulking. Good luck!

I know many don't wash them. Along the sides they put regular silicone caulking along that seam where the rubber roof comes over the side. I believe that all needs to be removed and replaced with Dicor. I live on the South Oregon Coast, and our storms here are hard on RVs, especially if they need caulking. Nothing serious yet. I could hire someone, but finding that person with experience can be difficult, and young people don't like to work, it seems. I can remove the caulking (a thin strip) which is coming loose. I am not great at caulking, it won't look pretty but will work, and can do it better on the sides, just need it in front under the bedroom which is the part of the RV that gets the storm winds. I just removed all the graphics (in this case decals) off the front end. The big Cougar cats are wearing off. I wish they would just leave the decals off entirely. I wonder if a rig can be ordered without decals. I took them off the Alfa. OK, I will call around.

How about calling a local dealer (it wouldn't have to be a Cougar dealer), they probably know or have someone that does this sort of thing in your area , It may be more costly but its a lot better than a slip and fall. If I lived near you I would come and do it for you but I'm far far away.

Although my Outback has a roof that can be walked on, and it's arched from side-to-side, and one "could" stand on it with no problem, I don't. I wash mine from a ladder - always. My previous 2 campers I got on the roof, but the older I'm getting the more cautious I am getting. I use a painter's pole (collapsible) with a soft fluffy RV brush attached. It works just fine doing this from a ladder. I have a 10 foot step ladder and it's tall enough I can get to the top of the camper and still have good stability under my foot. Now, I paid over a hundred dollars for that ladder, but I also bought it when I remodeled our family room with 14 foot cathedral ceilings. So I do use it for other things beside the trailer. It also makes getting on top of my house easier than a conventional straight ladder. Please do not attempt to climb on top of the roof of your camper. It's not worth it. Stay on a good ladder ... and if you do have to buy a ladder, don't get a cheap-o ladder. Get something that is sturdy and will support you with no problems when you are closer to the top. Yes, it's a pain in the neck having to move it ever few feet, but a pain in the neck is by by far much better than a broken neck if you fall!Good luck! And please be careful.

Thanks for your responses! Promise to not get up there! I do have five ladders, accumulated over the years, all are Werner and they are 6, 8, 10, and 12 feet, which is big and sturdy. I have used all of them and feel safe on them. Used the 10-ft to remove the decals on the front, it is really high there. I went to a truck stop years ago and bought a long-handled telescoping brush with a couple of different attachments. It cost a few bucks but works great. So I can use that. A friend said he would go up when dry and check out the air conditioner to be sure there are no leaks in the rubber roofing and look other places I can't see. But he won't wash it! Now I have permission from all of you to not wash it. I will just say "the guys said leave it alone!"

Need great idea for washing my Cougar roof | Good Sam Community

J-mans_Dad
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
If you are going to service or wash the front, lower your front stabilizers to make the coach "kneel". It brings the front of the cap lower to where you can reach it while standing on the ladder.

Kept trying to think about how I was going to wash and wax the top front of the cap. (Dang, it's way too high and my arms are too short) then I realized I could lower the front. Viola, it's well within arms reach now. :S
SH
Explorer
Apr 24, 2015
CarolineGates wrote:
Yes, I had mentioned that there is silicone along the trac where the rubber roof comes over to the gutter. It was put there originally by Cougar manufacturers. I have been caulking RV's for some years and always use Dicor along the rubber roof. I have to remove the silicone and replace it with Dicor.

Getting other sealants to stick where silicone was previously applied can be challenging. I found a product from McKanicathat helps with that process. It is a gel so it stays inplace a bit better than some of the other products. Says its safe for fiberglass gel coat etc.
B_O__Plenty
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2015
spadoctor wrote:
DO NOT WASH IT...all you do is shorten the membrane life by removing material. The material was not meant to be washed. Also no silicone caulk use Dicor
I agree 100%. Waste of time and effort and possibly harmful to the roof to wash it...

B.O.
retirediaffcamp
Explorer
Apr 24, 2015
Get a Little Giant ladder which is rated as a 1A ladder with at least a 350 lb capacity. It is a very sturdy ladder with a few sizes to choose from. The benefit is that they collapse for easy storage. I do know when the patent ran out on this ladder, Werner started making the same ladder but I don't think they are as sturdy. They do the job however. The Little Giant ladders have been used in the fire service for at least 20 years now due to their reliability, safety and integrity. They are more expensive than Werner but the Werner might suffice. I suggest you try both at a home show. Either way, get the step accessory that is sold with the Little Giant. This greatly enhances the standing platform area. The ladder I have is heavier than the Werner but collapses down to a 6 ft step ladder or expands to 22' strait ladder. This was the smallest one they had at the time I purchased it about 15 years ago.
retirediaffcamp
Explorer
Apr 24, 2015
Get a Little Giant ladder which is rated as a 1A ladder with at least a 350 lb capacity. It is a very sturdy ladder with a few sizes to choose from. The benefit is that they collapse for easy storage. I do know when the patent ran out on this ladder, Werner started making the same ladder but I don't think they are as sturdy. They do the job however. The Little Giant ladders have been used in the fire service for at least 20 years now due to their reliability, safety and integrity. They are more expensive than Werner but the Werner might suffice. I suggest you try both at a home show. Either way, get the step accessory that is sold with the Little Giant. This greatly enhances the standing platform area. The ladder I have is heavier than the Werner but collapses down to a 6 ft step ladder or expands to 22' strait ladder. This was the smallest one they had at the time I purchased it about 15 years ago.
CarolineGates
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
Yes, I had mentioned that there is silicone along the trac where the rubber roof comes over to the gutter. It was put there originally by Cougar manufacturers. I have been caulking RV's for some years and always use Dicor along the rubber roof. I have to remove the silicone and replace it with Dicor.
spadoctor
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
DO NOT WASH IT...all you do is shorten the membrane life by removing material. The material was not meant to be washed. Also no silicone caulk use Dicor
rmalik1
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
Don't know if your area has Blue Beacon Truck Wash's but at around $55 for TV and camper your good to go.

looked it up- Portland area I 5, exit 307
laknox
Nomad
Apr 20, 2015
Find a teenager... :-)

Lyle
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Apr 20, 2015
I never wash mine cus al that dirt, sap, bird doo doo etc up there helps protect the roof and increase its longevity. :C

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Need great idea for washing my Cougar roof

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