Avoid roof leaks

Mikief2002 · 10-05-2011, 03:55 PM

Is it really necessary to use a 4 by 4 plywood to dispurse weight while on roof as recommended by manufacturer? I see lots of other Rvers on roof not using.

MSHappyCampers · 10-05-2011, 04:05 PM

That's a new one on me! I'll have to check my user manual and maybe call the mfg tech support. That would be awfully clumsy trying to fit that 4x4 in between vents, skylights, A/C, etc. !

shortlance · 10-05-2011, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikief2002

Is it really necessary to use a 4 by 4 plywood to dispurse weight while on roof as recommended by manufacturer? I see lots of other Rvers on roof not using.

I think and I do mean think and not know for sure that it might have to do with different construction methods by different RV makers because for KZ they stressed the point that my roof was constructed to support a persons weight as if it was a special feature with their RV's that is not offered by all companys. Then again it could have just been a sales pitch but my roof can support a person without placing a board first--I have been up there countless times to clean and check the seals.

**Gary RVRoamer** · 10-05-2011, 04:34 PM

Depends on the RV, I guess. Most are constructed well enough to hold a person who weighs maybe 250 lbs or more, but perhaps yours has had problems with people damaging the roof with their weight. You didn't mention a brand or model...

Mine has no such warning in the manual. If yours does, maybe it's has been a problem in the past. Or maybe some coporate lawyer got the heebie jeebies one night and wrote it into the manual. If faced with that warning, I would use two squares maybe 18" on a side and slide them along like snow shoes. Under my feet when walking and under my knees if kneeling to work on something.

TXiceman · 10-05-2011, 06:33 PM

Depends on how well the RV is constructed. Some of the entry levels and lite weight units have pretty thin roof decks. Step and see if the roof flexes. If it does flex, use a couple of boards to distribute the your weight.

Ken

Mikief2002 · 10-06-2011, 03:39 AM

I'm sorry it's a 2000 Fleetwood Prowler LS 34 ft. I guess I'll find out as I"m gonna put a couple of MaxxAirs on this weekend. Gary I see you're also a Fleetwood owner not in your manual?

RovinOn · 10-06-2011, 06:17 AM

My coach does not call for it, but when I go up on the roof I walk very carefully and as lightly as possible.
When doing any kind of work with tools I lay something like a rug or beach towel in the area.
I do not like going on the roof and do so only when I really must!

ahicks · 10-06-2011, 06:29 AM

Back in the day (pre 1990's), many RV's were built with loose metal covering the roof. Could be galvanized, could be aluminum. There wasn't even any luan under it to help support anything. The only reinforcement on the entire roof were in areas designed to carry an A/C. These roofs you needed something to assure your weight was spread out over a couple of ceiling rafters at least - and 4x4 sheets of ply were commonly used.

**Gary RVRoamer** · 10-06-2011, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Gary I see you're also a Fleetwood owner not in your manual?

Nope, but a Prowler and an American Coach are worlds apart in design and construction. Built by different Fleetwood divisions, in factories 2000 miles apart.

Still, I think the warning is a legal precaution rather than realistic. I'm pretty sure your 2000 Prowler has a luan substrate under a rubber roof and it ought to easily support a 200+ lb person. We had a 96 Southwind (another Fleetwood product) with rubber over laun and it was plenty sturdy. Trailers tend to be built a bit lighter than motorhomes, though.