SAFEST way to get on roof...OEM ladder or extension ladder?

The attached ladder won't slide on the ground or fall over sideways. If it's in good shape, I'd think it would tend to be a little safer than an extension ladder leaned against the RV. For maintenance at home, I use it to get on the roof partly for those reasons and partly because it's convenient when I need it.

When camping I see no reason to carry a ladder with me to get on the roof when I have one already attached to my motorhome. The space and weight can better be used for other things I probably don't need. It's surprisingly common to want to get on the roof for some reason or another when camping; I made excursions there in my last camping trip to apply awning repair tape (which had been mouldering on the todo list for a little too long, truth be told), to sweep off pine needles, and to remove a stick I noticed up there when stopped at a shopping center on the way home. As best as I could tell it must have come off a tree while at the campground and sat on the roof for a good many miles; I was actually rather glad it hadn't flown off and bonked someone else's windshield.

The SAFEST way is to pay someone to do the job.

I use the attached ladder to get on the roof. When working around the edge, I set up a couple sections of scaffold.
If it's just a small area, I use a 8' step ladder.

53yo, 6' tall, and 265#. Agile, and plenty of energy. I can afford to have them installed, but I enjoy to do most things myself.

Like I mentioned....I did it about 6mos ago on my last 5er.

Two things about having a shop do the work.

If there is a workplace injury? It's them, not you.

If there is an issue with workmanship? It's them, not you.


If you are a young guy? You'll heal over time, from that broken whatever. If you aren't young? You don't get all better. Ask me about my broken leg from the ladder fall 1.5 years ago. I am 65+ and it will never get 'like new'.



Gary Haupt

Johno02 wrote:
Whichever you feel most comfortable with. In my case neither. I might be able to get on the roof, but need a firetruck and two rescue types to get me off. Well established fact is that I do not do well on roofs of any type.

You sound almost like me. I did buy a 10' step ladder for the purpose. Could have gone 12 feet. But I agree, whatever you feel comfortable with.

I have no trouble with the OEM ladder, but I also have a rail on the roof. Probably depends on your weight too.

One of the safest ways I know of is to park the RV close enough to the house, get on the house roof then walk onto the RV roof.

How's your budget? How agile are you? How's your balance? How old?. Should you really be up on the roof?
We have a local RV shop that would gladly install the cover at no risk to you, I mean me.

Whichever you feel most comfortable with. In my case neither. I might be able to get on the roof, but need a firetruck and two rescue types to get me off. Well established fact is that I do not do well on roofs of any type.