Flimsy Roof?

[chopper702]

I'd like to know if there's anyone out there who knows what the construction consist of on the roofs on Keystone Premier Bullets series travel trailers. When I'm on the roof of my 2017 Premeir Bullet, if I do not stand on the roof rafters, it feels like the roof is not going to support my weight very well. How thin is the underlayment under the rubber roofing? When I bought the trailer I was told that the roof is fully walkable on, so that being said when I am on the roof it feels very soft between the rafters like the flooring is very thin. All over the roof, not just in spots. Does anyone know or has anyone experienced a breakthrough of the roof while walking on it? I'd hate to fall through the roof of my semi-new travel trailer! Just how much weight is allowable? If i was around 100 lbs i would not be complaining! [emoji16]

[busterbrown]

Fully walkable? I doubt that. Did it come with a permanently mounted roof ladder? If not, your class of RV is considered an ultra light (as is my Bullet). Your roof's decking is extremely thin (probably 1/4" OSB) and will not support excessive weight between the rafters. Weight reduction is the primary driver for RV manufacturers with their ultra light lineups. Take off one of the vent garnishes and you can see exactly what I mean.

The best option for those who own ultra lights like ours is to buy some 2" thick polystyrene foam board and cut several pieces (2'x4') that can be used to distribute your weight across two rafters. It's worked well for me and for many others on these forums. The foam board is non-abrasive and will not harm your TPO roof.

[Bisjoe]

I read in the generic Keystone manual that if the trailer has no ladder, it's not meant to be walked on. The dealer sales people will often give information that is questionable, if not wrong.

[NealBlue]

I read in the generic Keystone manual that if the trailer has no ladder, it's not meant to be walked on. The dealer sales people will often give information that is questionable, if not wrong.
Not always the case. I have seen models of my trailer with a ladder where mine does not. The only problem with putting one on mine is that it would cover over a window. I can walk all over mine with no flimsiness at 230 lbs.

[BamaRam]

I checked mine through the bathroom vent and found it has 3/8 OSB. I also found that keystone doesnt care if the living space and the insulated space are separated. Spent about an hour stopping up holes with foam board and caulk.

[BamaRam]

Not always the case. I have seen models of my trailer with a ladder where mine does not.


Same here. There was a hideout with a different premium package on the lot next to mine with a ladder.

[Eastham]

The paperwork for my 2016 cougar xlite says 3/8 walkable roofing I have no ladder and it is the same 3/8 for the fifth wheels i have walked on the roof and it seems pretty solid .

[chopper702]

Thanks fellows. Yep definitively not meant for a grown up to walk on. I looked under one of the roof vents and its only 1/4" - looks like luan/ plywood. I can't believe the roof stays on while I'm driving down the road. Need to get rid of this one quick. Those SOB's. Where's the quality control and engineering? Must have fired them bastards! Wow. I need snow shoes to distribute my fat *** I guess!

[chopper702]

Fully walkable? I doubt that. Did it come with a permanently mounted roof ladder? If not, your class of RV is considered an ultra light (as is my Bullet). Your roof's decking is extremely thin (probably 1/4" OSB) and will not support excessive weight between the rafters. Weight reduction is the primary driver for RV manufacturers with their ultra light lineups. Take off one of the vent garnishes and you can see exactly what I mean.

The best option for those who own ultra lights like ours is to buy some 2" thick polystyrene foam board and cut several pieces (2'x4') that can be used to distribute your weight across two rafters. It's worked well for me and for many others on these forums. The foam board is non-abrasive and will not harm your TPO roof. Good tip.... Thank you. You're correct 1/4" luan or plywood. My God!

[notanlines]

Let me play devil's advocate for just one post (imagine THAT). Chopper, you chose this ultralite RV for a reason. What exactly would you use for a roof if you were magically put in charge of design and production? Keep in mind that it can't cost more, it can't weigh more and installation must take no more time.....
And Bisjoe, "The dealer sales people will often give information that is questionable, if not wrong" I just can't believe you'd say something like this. :eek:

[BamaRam]

During research prior to purchase I made the decision not to even look at a unit labeled as lite, ultralight, etc. Reason being I read that some shake apart with lots of towing and the roofs are flimsy. And I figured since I already had a heavy duty TV I didn’t need a light trailer.

I think it all boils down to buyer beware.

[JRTJH]

This thread reminds me of the "arguments" (really discussions) we had years ago about compact cars. Back then, we realized that you can't be as comfortable in a Vega with 4 other people as you can in a Lincoln Town Car if you're planning a 2000 mile trip. Plus, there's just no place to put that much luggage in a Vega..... (Exchange Vega for Pinto or Pacer if you choose).

It was, now as back then, a stark realization that if you're hit by a larger vehicle, you won't fare as well in the collision. When you're an "average size vehicle" you've got a 50/50 chance, when you're smaller than everything else on the highway, well, your chances of being hit by a larger vehicle go up substantially.

Back then, we discussed how small cars won't hold up as well, they aren't as comfortable, not as safe, won't hold luggage for a trip, bounce around on the road and get blown out of their lane by passing trucks and high winds. Seems to me those same "talking points" are being tossed around again, this time in discussions about XLite and Ultra-Lite trailers.

Seems the more things change, the more they remain the same, maybe in a different vehicle, but none the less, pretty much the same concerns and "talking points"......

[travelin texans]

"The dealer said", problem is his/her lips were moving!!
Most rv salespeople have NEVER spent one night in a rv, let alone know anything about operating one, they're there to sell that's all.
If you pulled up in that aforementioned Vega that sales person would swear you'd be able to tow whatever you picked out on the lot.

[BamaRam]

I'd like to know if there's anyone out there who knows what the construction consist of on the roofs on Keystone Premier Bullets series travel trailers.

I know you've already determined it's 1/4 luan but maybe this will help to further answer you question. See page 15. https://www.keystonerv.com/media/2261/premier-2017.pdf

I checked the brochures for my Hideout and found it lists that the luxury trailers and 5rs have walkable roofs and the others do not. In reviewing the other models I found that if it is walkable, Keystone lists it as walkable in the brochure. If it's not walkable, they dont say so. They say it's "durable" or something to that effect.

BTW mine is a luxury model listed as walkable, yet doesn't have a ladder.

[Gegrad]

Chopper-
You can find everything about the construction of the 2017 Premier here:
https://www.keystonerv.com/media/2261/premier-2017.pdf

That is the Keystone brochure that breaks down the construction materials. Looks like your roof has 5" galvanized roof trusses. It does not specify the decking material. If no ladder, not walkable. You can easily maneuver around with a piece of plywood big enough to stretch across trusses. That's what I do on my Premier.

[BamaRam]

If no ladder, not walkable.


Ladders are optional on some models with walk-on roofs.

[66joej]

My 2013 Cougar has 3/8" chipboard(OSB) on the trusses and does not have a rear ladder yet Keystone classifies it as walkable.

[bfisher003]

Yep, they are ultra-lite for several reasons. Take a look at the actual thickness of the steel in the main frame sometime. We have a 2016 Bullet Ultra-Lite 269RLS. Last summer on our way to Alaska I made the mistake of hitting a series of frost heaves a bit too fast just north of Destruction Bay, YT. Ripped the right rear axle spring hanger and piece of frame right out of the frame. The guy repairing it at Willard's in Tok spent three hours welding a new spring hanger back in place and was cussing ultra-lites the entire time. LOL I swear the frame thickness was less than 1/8" thick.

[Charby]

I had my AC replaced by the dealer on my 14 Premier 19 and don’t believe they did it while hanging off the shop ceiling. They were on the roof! They don’t want 250-300lb men walking on a lightweight roof. No need to dump the trailer because of roof construction.

[Famof6]

I'd like to know if there's anyone out there who knows what the construction consist of on the roofs on Keystone Premier Bullets series travel trailers. When I'm on the roof of my 2017 Premeir Bullet, if I do not stand on the roof rafters, it feels like the roof is not going to support my weight very well. How thin is the underlayment under the rubber roofing? When I bought the trailer I was told that the roof is fully walkable on, so that being said when I am on the roof it feels very soft between the rafters like the flooring is very thin. All over the roof, not just in spots. Does anyone know or has anyone experienced a breakthrough of the roof while walking on it? I'd hate to fall through the roof of my semi-new travel trailer! Just how much weight is allowable? If i was around 100 lbs i would not be complaining! [emoji16]

I had the distinct pleasure of having a 3” branch fall and punch a hole through my roof. The plywood under the rubber roofing is basically 7/32 floor underpayment. It’s NOT walkable. I use a 2’x4’ sheet of plywood when I’m working on the roof. Walk to the area you need by stepping on the joists and then carefully lay the sheet down before kneeling or sitting in that area.

BTW...skylights repair holes quite nicely!!!