Forum Discussion

CarpFishermanAn's avatar
May 03, 2016

Roof Weight

Our travel trailer is a 2014 Keystone Summerland and 26 foot long. I want to get on the roof to check my AC unit and want to know what the weight limit is for being up on the roof. I have emailed Keystone but they have not replied. Thanks!
  • I doubt very much if you can stand and walk on the roof of a Summerland. They are not built that sturdy. You can probably get on the roof, but you need to distribute your weight over a wider area that 2 foot prints. If you weigh 200 pounds, standing you are putting 100 pounds on each foot over a very small area. Distribute that weight by getting down on hands and knees and now you have only 50 pounds on 4 points of contact on the roof. Lay down flat and skoot along on your tummy, and your weight is distributed over a larger area yet.

    You probably cannot "walk" on a Summerland, but you can get up there. Lay a sheet of plywood on the roof and walk on the plywood. This will distribute your weight over a larger area.

    You can always test the waters too by putting your weight on the roof a little at a time on all 4 down. If you feel the roof soft under the weight of your hand, or springy, you won't be able to walk on it. You can also press your weight with your hands and feel the ceiling joists. Try to put your body weight directly over the joist and not between them. You may be able to stand on top of the joists, but not between them. So test the roof before standing.

    If the roof is arched, you have a better chance of standing on it. If the roof is flat ... definitely, proceed with caution. Summerland is just not that sturdy built camper.
  • Didn't the people that built your trailer walk on the roof during construction? I just checked the brochure and your trailer's roof is a 16" on center raised roof truss system. No different than the roof on my trailer and I'm on the roof quite a bit.
  • This video shows an aluminum truss system. Walking on the roof should be OK but if in doubt, spread down some extruded foam sheet or light plywood to spread your weight.

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