Roof Walking

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R1Kirby

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I have always been under the impression that walking on a rv roof can cause sever damage or leaks. A rubber roof can become punchered and go un-noticed, or the possibility of being torn. While roofs are not structurely made to be walkind on, I see many people walking on their rv roofs, scrubbing and washing, dragging buckets and hoses accross them. Is this really good for your roof????
 
The EPDM rubber that they use comes in at least two different thicknesses - 45 or 60 mil. When it's new, it's quite supple. I think you would have to work pretty hard to tear it. But as it gets older, it can dry out, crack, and more easily tear. Its certainly not "walk deck" material - but the occasional walking on during cleaning shouldn't hurt. I suppose it all depends on how much you weigh, and how well constructed your roof is.


Mylo
 
Hi R1...

FWIW, I've got a rubber roof on my 1999 Allegro and I walk on it once or twice every few months to clean and inspect it. I don't wear my hard-sole cowboy boots while doing so, I wear tennis shoes, and I also don't jump around - I just walk smoothly and carefully. I've never had any problems at all.

I will add this disclaimer though, I'm fortunate to have been able to keep my MH in a garage all its life when it's not in use, so the roof material, which can become brittle after years of being exposed to the elements (if not properly maintained), hasn't degraded as much as it likely would have, had it been sitting outside. But even if it had been outside, the roof material would probably be OK to walk on, as long as it was properly cared for.

Kev
 
R1Kirby said:
I have always been under the impression that walking on a rv roof can cause sever damage or leaks. A rubber roof can become punchered and go un-noticed, or the possibility of being torn. While roofs are not structurely made to be walkind on, I see many people walking on their rv roofs, scrubbing and washing, dragging buckets and hoses accross them. Is this really good for your roof? ???

I think the dragging of buckets and heavy hoses is probably a no-no, and wearing shoes that could puncture the roof is certainly not terribly smart.  However, simply walking on a structurally sound rubber roof while inspecting, or performing maintenance, is perfectly acceptable.

I'm not sure how simply walking on the roof would cause a puncture that would go unnoticed, as that's what one should be inspecting for.
 
I have always been under the impression that walking on a rv roof can cause sever damage or leaks.

As someone else said, not if it is "structurally sound."  Yes, a rubber roof is more likely to have snags from tree branches and deteriorate from ultraviolet rays, but a fiberglass roof doesn't normally have those problems.  It would be instructive for you to visit a motorhome factory and see how they're produced.  We've been to quite a few (all fiberglass) and it's not unusual to see the workers walking on the roof (with safety harnesses I hasten to add).  As long as the roof doesn't "give" as you step on it, it should be okay to walk on it as long as you're careful (not just the roof but also for yourself).  When Jerry goes on the roof he wears boating shoes for better traction.  Personally, I tend to crawl if I have to go up there.


ArdraF
 
Occasionally and prudently, it won't hurt it.  That said, if you're worried, you can use a piece of 1/2" plywood and lay it on the roof to help distribute your weight wherever you need to work.  A 4x4 piece isn't terribly heavy, and will spread out the impact.
 
My first 5W trailer, a 1986 model, had a metal roof layed over trusses that were 36" apart. You couldn't step except on the trusses because there was no wood skin between the trusses. Next one (1990 model) had thin plywood (luan) over the trusses and then rubber sheeting over that as the water proof material.  Could walk anywhere on that. Subsequent RVs have been the same or better than the 1990 model, always with a solid skin under the surface material.
 
I tend to agree with Gary...

My old dodge Jamboree motor-home was the same thing. The rear of the roof where the roof rack was had good thick roof material for roof storage and even in the owner manual it suggested not to walk on the roof beyond the rack. After having replace the ceiling in it... Gary is right was nothing more the luan paneling up front.

As for my Jayco trailer I'll walk on the roof but tend to stay more on the passenger side of the trailer because the slide on the driver side. So I know there is more support for my weight of walking around on the roof to push snow off or do roof maintenance. Do consider your weight and if you have slides too.
 
According to me walking on their rv roofs, scrubbing and washing, dragging buckets are not at all good as it damages finish of the roof especially when it is made of metal. fiberglass roofs are strong enough to catch all this.
 
If you have a rubber roof, check your shoes for trapped pebbles and such if they have tread like soles.

Other than that, I judge where to step by the "feel" of the roof.  If it feels spongy, I'll try to step on or near the trusses.  If it feels solid, I don't worry as much.
 
I have walked on every square inch of the rubber roof on my old Bounder, several times.  I have never sensed a soft or spongy spot anywhere on the roof.  Like Raytronx said, there's a ladder to the roof. ???

If you can't use common sense in your selection of shoes, equipment and safety, then you probably shouldn't even consider it.
 

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