Roof Weight Capacity

[Flyerpicker]

Hi National Owners!

I have a 99 Tradewinds, 300 Caterpillar. My question is "HOW MUCH WEIGHT WILL THE ROOF HOLD"?

It has a roof ladder. I've been all over the roof doing various repairs. On another occasion, 5 adults gathered in one area with no adverse affects. Next week, I'll be be in the infield at a NASCAR race, and my guests would like to take lawn chairs to the roof and enjoy the view.

Does anyone have any definitive information regarding weight bearing capacity? How many pounds per square foot, etc. Any info you might have ragarding activities on the roof would be appreciated. thanks!
Jim

[JMonroe]

I'd not have more than one person on the roof at a time. Look around the infield. Most of the rigs with multiple persons on the roof have platforms engineered and built for that purpose, usually not touching the roof at all, but attached at the walls where the weight is being supported by the wall studs.

You'll have to do more research for your rigs specs, but its not uncommon to see something like a 250lb max listed for anyone contemplating getting up on the roof. Its unlikely you'd suffer a complete and sudden collapse so there's no way you can tell what damage might be done over time.

[wa8yxm]

I am fairly sure the maker of the motor home could tell you.

However one of the things I tell people is the roof is a lot like the kitchen floor, (Normally I am tlaking about cleaning it) but to my feet, it feels a lot like walking on the kitchen floor.

I'm 320 pounds and shrinking

I'm sure you could overload it but you said you had 5 adults up there.... To be honest much more than that I can not imagine FITTING on the roof.

[Flyerpicker]

Jay, thanks.. I'll look around next weekend and see what goes on with roof viewers..

[Belgian]

I wouldn't allow people or chairs on the roof. Think about it, if your roof is fiberglass and has spent 12 years in the sun and it's pretty brittle. One 200# person standing on the roof has his weight spread out on the soles of his shoes. If you put that same 200# person in a chair his weight is spread out over four 1" chair legs. There is most likely a thin plywood sheet, 1/8" or 1/4", but that doesn't hold much weight either. Not to mention someone falling off the roof walking around or coming up or going down. Sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

[keninvic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belgian I wouldn't allow people or chairs on the roof. Think about it, if your roof is fiberglass and has spent 12 years in the sun and it's pretty brittle. One 200# person standing on the roof has his weight spread out on the soles of his shoes. If you put that same 200# person in a chair his weight is spread out over four 1" chair legs. There is most likely a thin plywood sheet, 1/8" or 1/4", but that doesn't hold much weight either. Not to mention someone falling off the roof walking around or coming up or going down. Sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

I have drilled holes into my roof to mount solar panels - 2 people max on that roof, and no chairs. These roofs are lightly constructed, my 2004 Dolphin has 1/4" OSB with a very thin fiberglass roof. The OSB is attached to the steel frame but cannot withstand a lot of weight between the frames. There is about 4" of styrofoam insulation except where the A/C ducts run. Stay away from the curved edges, they will crack as they have no support under them.

[TXiceman]

No way I would let more than one reasonable weight person on the roof at a time and definitely no chairs. It is not a grandstand.

Ken

[wa8yxm]

To the person who thought Fitting was a typo.. No, I Much more than 5 and on the average RV the roof is going to be very crowded epically with vents, A/Cs and skylights and stuff sticking up taking up room.

[Bill Adams]

Many people can usually occupy a roof simultaneously. Of course the type of roof underlayment (not the roof composite itself) will be what determines how well this works. Janet and I are always on a roof together. No worries! Well, almost! We were on the roof of a 5th wheel and as we moved around the roof seemed to give a little too much. I went inside to do the interior work and every step Janet took could be seen in the ceiling of the 5th wheel. Now that's scary! I was afraid she was going to "drop in" for a visit.
On the other hand, we have had 5-6 folks on my roof and I have had 4 people in chairs up there as well. Our chairs don't have pointy legs but rather a U-shaped base for the front and rear legs. I suspect the weight distribution is better with these then if you were standing on your own 2 feet.
With all of that said, how good is your liability insurance? The roof is by far the most dangerous place that anyone might want to visit when you are around an RV. When your guest falls off, due to the fact that you allowed them up there, who do you think is going to pay that claim? I hope you had your lawyer draw up an iron clad disclaimer which was signed and Notarized before you allowed them up there.

[wa8yxm]

Bill, that was kind of my point.. (The limit is more space then weight)

Last time I was on my roof I was with Shannon from Easton Electric Motor Service. He's a good 200 pounds plus, I'm over 300 and there was nothing to suggest any problem except for the one we were fixing, and since he services electric motors. you know it was not a "Roof problem" but it was in the area of the roof most likely to have a problem.

Oh, we fixed (Replaced actually) the un-replacable motor too. (Carrier no longer sells parts for the Carrier Air V) In the middle of that dang heat wave let me tell you TWO working A/C's was... Necessary.

[michelb]

IMO, I wouldn't do it. If I'm not mistaken (please correct me if I am), I believe the early Tradewinds (not sure about later years) had rubber roofs. I don't think you want lawn chairs or even a lot of people standing / walking around up there as even if the roof can support the weight (I actually think it probably can), you could easily damage the roof.

[Ramblin]

For me, the risk/benefit analysis would quickly make the decision. Make a pros/cons list and see.

Pros:
- Great view for my guests at the race

Cons:
- danger of injury or death from falling
- danger of expensive roof damage
- danger of damage to roof-mounted items
- possibility of getting up there, and becoming too drunk to get back down.
- likelihood that I'd try to get down anyway, and fall off the ladder.
- embarrasment as my guests laugh at me for falling drunk from the roof of my RV

[TNMike]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMonroe I'd not have more than one person on the roof at a time. Look around the infield. Most of the rigs with multiple persons on the roof have platforms engineered and built for that purpose, usually not touching the roof at all, but attached at the walls where the weight is being supported by the wall studs.

Any idea about the best way to attached a platform to the walls? I'm thinking of some type of L bracket or maybe a length of superstrut (unistrut) along the roof edge but not sure the proper way to attach it to the framing. My roof has steel cross members and the walls have aluminum framing in them (floor also has steel framing). Should I drill a pilot hole and use some type of lag bolt or simply a self tapping screw? All help is appreciated