Community Forums

diamar · 12-03-2012, 01:28 PM

I recently purchased a Regency GT29T by Triple E. When Iwent up the ladder to survey the roof, I found, at the top of the ladder, a lable saying that one should not walk on the roof.

The question is, may I walk on the roof for cleaning and/or maintenance purposes?

trackman · 12-03-2012, 04:00 PM

All RV's are designed for access to the roof. Perhaps that is a previous owner label to prevent your finding out problems

Bowser · 12-05-2012, 07:03 PM

CYA. The company isn't going to take a chance on you hiring your 375# neighbor to scrub the thing down.

And the RV doesn't care if you're up there to clean it, maintain the AC or save Western Civilization. If it can't hold you it can't hold you.

Second, if you step near one of the vents, for instance, you might crack the roof, and they aren't going to be responsible if they can avoid it.

Third, I always crawl around up there, to distribute the weight.

I think those notices are like the signs on the next to the top rung of a ladder. It's not the smartest thing to do to use it as a step, it will hold you, people do, people get hurt, and you're on your own.

CampDaven · 12-05-2012, 08:25 PM

I walk on it slowly. Never had a problem. If yer not suppose to go up there, why is there a ladder? Must be a liability thing

frankdamp · 12-05-2012, 08:34 PM

I don't go on the roof very often, preferring to work on it from various places alongside, stading on a ladder. Obviously there are some things you can't check without actually going on (like a/c problems, TV antenna issues) that you can't reach otherwise.

My rig has a rubber roof and they're more susceptible to damage from walking on them, so I try to stay off it as much as possible. Plus, at my age, I'm not to keen on heights.

TwelveVolt · 12-05-2012, 08:40 PM

At the last RV rally one of the reps told me that they no longer add ladders to some of their models. Why not? Because some of our customers don't belong on a ladder.

I have wondered why there are no obvious attach points for a safety harness. Particularly on rubber coated convex roofs where the owner's manual reads "roof material may be slippery". I can't help thinking about the vertical distance between my head and the concrete below.

Fred1609 · 12-05-2012, 08:45 PM

I go up on my 5ers roof to clean it twice a year. But tread carefully

TdogKing · 12-06-2012, 03:48 PM

If a manufacture sells their units without a ladder it's to save them money and has nothing to do with them being concerned for your safety. I think by putting a sticker gives them a leg to stand on if you screw something up while up there. RV's aren't made like Mobile Homes , where the joist spacing doesn't allow walking everywhere. I my self don't use the supplied ladder any more and carry s telescoping one to get up in a emergency . One thing for is your better use all your common sense when up there for all kinds of reasons at any age. !! I spent my whole career building Freeway Bridges using ladders, walking beams etc but that doesn't mean I'm careless because that ground doesn't care who it stops.

alv3769 · 12-06-2012, 07:17 PM

the sign is put there so the rv company doesn't have to take responsibility if you fall off the roof.

diamar · 12-07-2012, 05:29 AM

Thank you all for your input. I guess the result is that I will tread lightly and be careful.

TwelveVolt · 12-08-2012, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TdogKing

If a manufacture sells their units without a ladder it's to save them money and has nothing to do with them being concerned for your safety.

Absolutely right. The only reason would be to reduce the manufacturing cost by $100. I was able to squeeze the corner of a couch cushion on this new coach down to nothing in my fist. The foam inside was the consistency of a nerf ball. If they are willing to go cheap on something so obvious, where else have they cut corners? It would take less effort (labor cost) to install 100 screws instead of the usual and prudent 150. Thinner metal costs less. Some businesses come out of bankruptcy protection with a better appreciation of the need for quality products and customer service. Unfortunately, most just learn how to build cheaper products to balance the books.

hippyman · 12-17-2012, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diamar

Thank you all for your input. I guess the result is that I will tread lightly and be careful.

I couldn't help but notice your post, and I had to get my 2 cents in. I too just purchased a regency, and it was my understanding that the top is nothing but fiberglass. I am a pretty big guy, so I would feel uncomfortable getting on the roof of my vehicle, however, best I can tell you is, tread lightly.

Manuel B · 12-18-2012, 02:32 PM

One brand I looked at while shopping had a ladder with the warning sticker, I contacted the manufacturer about sitting on the roof at the races, he said NO, never, he said it is not designed to be walked on and would cause damage, suggested I have diamond plate aluminum sheeting layed down, I wrote that brand off my list,
the HMC I bought has factory non-skid walkways in the gelcoat from front to rear.

I had a Phoenix class C that had the warning stickers on the roof about 5' from the back, that was the only area intended for walking or storage, and if you tried sneaking past the forbidden zone you could feel it flexing and sinking.