cleaning the top of your class c

Desert Captain wrote:
... most of the ladders I see on Class C's (and some A's), leave a lot to be desired when it comes to structural integrity.

The ladder on our 2005 Itasca seems to be holding (me) up just fine, but I only range from 210 lbs. to 235 lbs. ... depending upon how much chemicals/fats/sugars versus real food I've been eating.

Phil, most of the ladders I see on Class C's (and some A's), leave a lot to be desired when it comes to structural integrity. Not sure most of them would support my chubby butt. :B There are lots of extendable/foldable ladders out now that can stow fairly small and yet extend straight out to 12' for more. This is what I have in the garage and this type seems to be gaining in popularity with the Class A/Fiver crowd as I've seen quite a few lately.

I place mine on the rear of the coach on centerline and the fiberglass roof at that point is nearly flat with pretty good traction. Getting up and down makes me nervous and I spend as little time as possible up there. A solid factory installed ladder would have been OK with me but when you buy used you take what you get. Lastly, the fewer holes drilled into my rig the better I like it.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV.

:C

D.C.,

I had to get up on our Class C roof to repair a broken vent once out in the middle of nowhere. I couldn't have done it w/o the built-in ladder.

Also, our crowned roof pretty much eliminates getting up there with any step ladder along either side. It's very tricky (dangerous) stepping on/off a step ladder onto/off-of our roof anywhere along the roof's edges.

I don't really see how Class C manufacturers can justify not supplying a built-in ladder .... maybe liability problems with a rental?? I'd never buy a Class C without one.

No ladder on our 24' C and frankly don't miss it as I have one in the garage at home. If I ever need one on the road just about every Class A and fiver in the CG has one that I'm sure could be briefly borrowed.

Speaking of all those folks up on the roof at the Nascar races...

I wonder how many of those Class C's are rentals?(soon to be sold on the used market).

:S

pnichols wrote:
Also, I don't recommend ever standing on your RV's roof. That's too much weight concentrated in two small spots ... and just asking for stress around any sealed interfaces close to where your foot might temporarily land as you move around.

When I have to get around up there to do maintenance, I crawl around on all fours - at least that distributes my weight unto four spots instead of only two ... safer too, if you RV's roof is crowned and thus sloping downward near it's edges.

I have to disagree with that about up on your roof , if that was the case there would be too many at the bone yard or getting roofs replaced! Watch any Nascar races etc and the infield and along side of track is loaded with people on their Rv roof's watching the races for hours ...Is it smart ? Probably not but have seen it for years..

As for the dish soap , I use Dawn dish soap when I want to clean/strip the old wax off the car, truck, RV knowing I'm going to be buffing /waxing right afterwards of washing it. I wash the vehicle twice with Dawn to make sure I get it squeaky clean , then its time to buff/polish and wax !

Also, I don't recommend ever standing on your RV's roof. That's too much weight concentrated in two small spots ... and just asking for stress around any sealed interfaces close to where your foot might temporarily land as you move around.

When I have to get around up there to do maintanance, I crawl around on all fours - at least that distributes my weight unto four spots instead of only two ... safer too, if you RV's roof is crowned and thus sloping downward near it's edges.

OFDPOS wrote:
I have yet to see any local car wash with any kind of elevated walkways ?

That would be a nice thing to have !

But yes did the climb up on top with bucket of carwash soap, a brush with handle scrubbed it from front to back parked on a slopped driveway that way it rinsed off the back. Then sprayed the top down with some Rubber Roof Cleaner/Conditioner I got at CW worked that abit then called it good.

We have one downtown that trucks pull into, it works great. I also washed my roof on my sloped driveway that way I was always standing on dry roof. A reminder

to folks who wash their own coach, never use dish detergent, it has nasty's in it that cause streaks etc. buy some car wash and be nice to your paint. It does make

a difference.

I have yet to see any local car wash with any kind of elevated walkways ?

That would be a nice thing to have !

But yes did the climb up on top with bucket of carwash soap, a brush with handle scrubbed it from front to back parked on a slopped driveway that way it rinsed off the back. Then sprayed the top down with some Rubber Roof Cleaner/Conditioner I got at CW worked that abit then called it good.

Dittos on washing the dirt from the AC coils. I remove the AC cover at least once a year and give it a good rinse. Our home AC man told us to do basically the same on the house and that it would extend the life of our coils.

I have been using my power washer once a year. It is gas and very powerful, use the 15° tip. Have never had a leak. Added note fiberglass roof with eternabond seams.