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HeWhoIs's avatar
HeWhoIs
Explorer
Oct 21, 2015

Walk on Leprechaun Roof?

Greetings!

I have a 2004 Coachmen Leprechaun 314SS. I want to measure the height, so I need to get to the roof A/C unit to see how how it is sticking up above the roof. Can I walk on the roof to get to the A/C?

Thanks!
  • Don't see any reason why not. I walk on my fiver roof when I need to. Just watch where you step!
  • I walk on my roof all the time with no problems, I only weigh 160#.

    If you are unusually heavy and you are concerned, you could take some plywood sheets with you and walk on them to distribute your weight.
  • Don't just STEP on the roof. Get down on all 4's and crawl around. As you shift your weight from one knee to another and from one hand to another a give a little extra push and "test the waters". You can feel the spots between the roof frames because you'll feel a bit of flexing. What you need to do then is, figure out about how far apart the frames are then try to put your weight on them, not between them. Then slowly add more weight on one of the frames. If you hear any creeking of the wood under your hand or foot, back off the weight. You know you won't be able to walk on it, but maybe you can crawl around on all 4's. If you weigh 200 pounds, you'd have approximately only 50 pounds on any one spot. So crawl first and test it out.

    I found out my previous camper, I could comfortably walk on part of the roof, but not on another. So on that spot, I always crawled. Just a suggestion how you can get up there and not hurt anything until you know for SURE yourself.

    You will also find the edges of the roof will be able to support a LOT more weight than in the middle. And where your air conditioner sits on the roof, and your roof vents, it's stronger there too. It's those spots where there is nothing on the roof, those spots are usually the weakest (in the middle).
  • If you don't want to get up on the roof, set up a ladder adjacent to the AC unit, extend a 2x4 over to the unit, set a level on the 2x4, and run a tape measure straight down to the ground. Or even easier, run the tape measure to the top of the ladder, then measure the distance from the ground to the top of the ladder.
  • What korbe said. This is the safest and most accurate way.

    Safe travels.
  • Sooner or later you will need access to your roof for repairs, leaks, sealing, etc. I had a 2004 Coachmen and walked on the roof with no problem but I preferred my wife to be up there instead of me as she only weighed 140lbs. I suspect that the roof has certainly had its share of people on it because the factory had to install the antenna, AC, vents, etc. during construction.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Odds are yes you can.. www.heatherlands.com (if it still works) has a 30 foot version and can likely tell you Not shure who there you'd ask though.

    (this is a music web site since the owner is a rather good celtic-style musician whom I have not seen in a while.. Though I have listened to recently)