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Old 09-14-2015, 03:12 PM   #1
mavagrand
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Walking on the roof?

I've had my 2015 Laredo 299BH just over a year and was up on a ladder recaulking the roof edges. Didn't find a lot that needed to be done but couldn't reach the seams around the vents, the antenna and the A/C. Is it OK to walk on the roof? I want to make sure the camper is water tight but don't wanna damage anything in the process.
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Old 09-14-2015, 04:17 PM   #2
chuckster57
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It's been said that no ladder meant no walking on a roof. I have walled on many a roof that didn't have a factory ladder.

You could use a sheet of say 1/4" plywood to spread the load, it will be light enough to handle by yourself yet thick enough to distribute your weight. Just be careful NOT to scoot the wood across the roof as it can snag and tear the membrane.
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Old 09-14-2015, 05:17 PM   #3
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Thumbs down

Mt roof is 3/8 plywood and walking on is no problem. I always make a point to walk gingerly. If concerned, like chuckster57 said, take a couple small sheets of plywood up with you and space them apart to get around.
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Old 09-14-2015, 05:17 PM   #4
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I have a 2015 Cougar X-Lite 30RLI that does not have a ladder. I send an email to Keystone asking if the roof was okay to walk on. Within one day I had a response that it was okay to walk on the roof but be careful about falling.
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Old 09-14-2015, 09:35 PM   #5
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Over the past 50 years I have had just over 25 RV's, I've always walked on the roof very carefully, but I did walk on the for inspection and cleaning. As others have said, be careful. Especially if it's wet and slippery. Always safer to send the wife up, they are lighter and more agile and they don't bounce as hard....lol.
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Old 09-14-2015, 10:45 PM   #6
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Yes please be careful. My summer was cut short 2 months ago when I slipped on a wet spot and slid over the front of my fiver. Landed feet first, broke my ankle, tibia, and fibula on my right leg. 2 surgeries, still in a cast, non weight bearing. I still have 2 more months till I can walk. DOH! First time in my life I've ever been seriously injured, never spent a night in a hospital before this. I felt like I was being extremely careful the whole time, apparently not careful enough. That little slope in the front right before the fiberglass nose cap did me in. I still cringe every time I look at it.
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Old 09-15-2015, 08:21 AM   #7
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I just cringed reading your post. Ouch...
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Old 09-15-2015, 09:09 AM   #8
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I just cringed reading your post. Ouch...
If you really want to cringe I could post the pictures of my leg lol!
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Old 09-15-2015, 01:39 PM   #9
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That's ok. I'm good.
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Old 09-15-2015, 02:30 PM   #10
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Brings back memories of seeing Joe Theisman get his leg broken years ago
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Old 09-15-2015, 07:08 PM   #11
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When I go up on the roof of my 30RLi I use a 18 by 42 or so inch scrap of 5/8 plywood to distribute the load across several trusses. Makes me feel better since you can feel the roof give a bit without it. I also have a peice of carpet I put under the plywood so it can't abrade the membrane while I wiggle around up there. BTW, I'm only 185 lbs.

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Old 09-19-2015, 05:34 PM   #12
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Nothing to add here just tired of seeing this heading leading this section;
RV buyers beware of keystone trailers
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Old 09-19-2015, 09:28 PM   #13
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I have put my 210 lbs on the roof of all of my 5ers and my car trailer. The car trailer is the flimsiest of all, but I can feel the framing under the sheet metal so I just slide my foot carefully until I find a joist and then step. One of our 5ers was damaged by a hail storm, the insurance adjuster and I were both up on the roof at the same time. I go up on the roof on every trip and clean everything before the slides come in or the antenna comes down.
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Old 09-21-2015, 06:32 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by Western Traveler View Post
Nothing to add here just tired of seeing this heading leading this section;
RV buyers beware of keystone trailers
Not sure why you posted. As you pointed out, you added nothing of value to the thread. Troll much?
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Old 09-21-2015, 10:33 AM   #15
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What is the weight limit anyone know?
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Old 09-21-2015, 10:52 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by natedog_37 View Post
What is the weight limit anyone know?
It is normally 3/8" plywood on 24" centers. That suggests that stepping in between the joists with more than, oh say 125# or so would be edging into the risky area. The joists obviously can support several hundred pounds each with no problems.

The 24" centers is why everyone recommends using a sheet of 1/2" (or thicker) plywood or 2x boards that span at least two (if not three) joists. The further apart the joists, the weaker the spanning material becomes in between. Use the same 3/8" sheathing on 12" centers, and the roof becomes much stronger and can bear more weight, even between the joists. It also becomes more rigid. This logic applies to home construction in exactly the same manner. This is not an RV specific issue by any means.

Frankly, this is one of those areas that is NOT a Keystone unique issue. It applies across the entire marketplace. Some manufacturers use even thinner sheathing.

Occasionally, someone orders a unit with a thicker sheathing material. The thicker the sheathing, the less important using a spanning board becomes.

So, the basic advice remains: Protect the sheathing and protect the membrane. Anything else is tempting the fates.
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Old 09-22-2015, 06:30 AM   #17
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UGh I need to get up there this weekend and clean and check out the roof. I am 285 bills so this will be fun.
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Old 09-22-2015, 01:57 PM   #18
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If you go on your hands and knees, you will be spreading your weight over a large area...4 contact points and most likely 2 trusses. Your roof shouldn't have a problem supporting you. Additionally, your chance of falling is greatly reduced. I wouldn't worry.
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Old 09-24-2015, 07:52 AM   #19
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Roof trusses are 16 on center, even on the ultralight that have non walk on roofs. Just stay on the trusses. You can see them. Or put a piece of ply wood up there to distribute your weight. Non walk on does not mean no maintenance.

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Old 10-22-2015, 05:59 AM   #20
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I am a newbie, and also wondered about walking on the roof - I have a 2007 Sprinter and notice that on the roof right above the doorway it feels 'spongy'. Not like there is a lot of support right there. So I decided these were not meant for walking on?
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