Weight on a Class C roof

Chum lee wrote:
If your motor home has a factory installed ladder up to the roof, the manufacturer knows/expects you to be crawling/walking around up there once and a while. Think of the liability aspect. That said, you are a pretty big guy and the idea of spreading your weight around using plywood is valid. IMO, you'll more likely fall off the roof than through it so be aware of that. Leave the stiletto heels in the closet and wear clean flat soft sole shoes to avoid localized damage. Be aware of and avoid soft spots. The roof will more likely deflect under load long before it breaks. I'm over 200 lbs. myself and I never like the wobbly feeling of walking around up there because the MH moves around just because of my weight, not to mention the wind. Other people moving around inside or entering/exiting move my Class A around a lot, especially when I don't expect it.

Chum lee

There is a label on the ladder that states a 250lbs weight limit. Since I weight 240lbs I fear that is too close to the limit to take chances. Your thought?

If your motor home has a factory installed ladder up to the roof, the manufacturer knows/expects you to be crawling/walking around up there once and a while. Think of the liability aspect. That said, you are a pretty big guy and the idea of spreading your weight around using plywood is valid. IMO, you'll more likely fall off the roof than through it so be aware of that. Leave the stiletto heels in the closet and wear clean flat soft sole shoes to avoid localized damage. Be aware of and avoid soft spots. The roof will more likely deflect under load long before it breaks. I'm over 200 lbs. myself and I never like the wobbly feeling of walking around up there because the MH moves around just because of my weight, not to mention the wind. Other people moving around inside or entering/exiting move my Class A around a lot, especially when I don't expect it.

Chum lee

Just a quick suggestion regarding boards to distribute the weight. Rounded corners may be better here.

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
If what you need to reach cannot be accessed from a ladder on the sides, you can use a small (4'x4') piece of luan or plywood to spread the weight over a larger area, but with the manufacturers constantly looking for ways to build these units cheaper and lighter, I would try to avoid too much time or movement especially on any manufacturers entry level product lines.

I Totally Agree with kerrlakeRoo.

I do feel that a 5/8" thick plywood board about 2.5 feet square will suffice. I would cut 2 pieces and screw on a simple screen door handle in the middle of each to maneuver one while kneeling on the other.

Home improvement centers sell broken sheets of plywood at greatly reduced prices. I think Home Depot even offers a cutting service. Plywood will be stronger and lighter to handle than chip board or particle board. They can get wet and dry fairly quickly if stored indoors.

This is the type of screen door handle I am referring to.

jrobert01 wrote:

kerrlakeRoo wrote:

EdTheEdge wrote:

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
If what you need to reach cannot be accessed from a ladder on the sides, you can use a small (4'x4') piece of luan or plywood to spread the weight over a larger area, but with the manufacturers constantly looking for ways to build these units cheaper and lighter, I would try to avoid too much time or movement especially on any manufacturers entry level product lines.

I thought of using something to spread the weight around.... I was also trying to avoid purchasing a taller ladder. I have a 12 footer and it's not quite tall enough to reach were I need to reach.

By "not quite" if 8" would make the difference, and you have a solid , flat surface, put a concrete block under each leg.
I even used a picnic table once and put a ladder on it to get on my old "C".

WOW.

WOW Indeed.......
Perhaps a handle change is needed to Edlivinonedge?

Somebody call OSHA LOL.

kerrlakeRoo wrote:

EdTheEdge wrote:

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
If what you need to reach cannot be accessed from a ladder on the sides, you can use a small (4'x4') piece of luan or plywood to spread the weight over a larger area, but with the manufacturers constantly looking for ways to build these units cheaper and lighter, I would try to avoid too much time or movement especially on any manufacturers entry level product lines.

I thought of using something to spread the weight around.... I was also trying to avoid purchasing a taller ladder. I have a 12 footer and it's not quite tall enough to reach were I need to reach.

By "not quite" if 8" would make the difference, and you have a solid , flat surface, put a concrete block under each leg.
I even used a picnic table once and put a ladder on it to get on my old "C".

WOW.

EdTheEdge wrote:

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
If what you need to reach cannot be accessed from a ladder on the sides, you can use a small (4'x4') piece of luan or plywood to spread the weight over a larger area, but with the manufacturers constantly looking for ways to build these units cheaper and lighter, I would try to avoid too much time or movement especially on any manufacturers entry level product lines.

I thought of using something to spread the weight around.... I was also trying to avoid purchasing a taller ladder. I have a 12 footer and it's not quite tall enough to reach were I need to reach.

By "not quite" if 8" would make the difference, and you have a solid , flat surface, put a concrete block under each leg.
I even used a picnic table once and put a ladder on it to get on my old "C".

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
If what you need to reach cannot be accessed from a ladder on the sides, you can use a small (4'x4') piece of luan or plywood to spread the weight over a larger area, but with the manufacturers constantly looking for ways to build these units cheaper and lighter, I would try to avoid too much time or movement especially on any manufacturers entry level product lines.

I thought of using something to spread the weight around.... I was also trying to avoid purchasing a taller ladder. I have a 12 footer and it's not quite tall enough to reach were I need to reach.

If what you need to reach cannot be accessed from a ladder on the sides, you can use a small (4'x4') piece of luan or plywood to spread the weight over a larger area, but with the manufacturers constantly looking for ways to build these units cheaper and lighter, I would try to avoid too much time or movement especially on any manufacturers entry level product lines.

Not to answer “flippantly”....but it depends upon the class c. As with all rv’s, there is quite a range in materials used. We have an older Bigfoot....and the roof is quite rigid. I’m 6’ at 200... I can “barely” detect any roof flex! If you can find any manufacturers specifications, they may offer some guidance as to the limitations.