Community Forums

transcend · 07-29-2010, 07:00 PM

Hello,

I have a class c 24ft and the roof has a rail around the back. I wanted to know if the rail is strong enough to strap a roof box to it.? And is it even recomended to haul things on the roof?

Also is the ladder strong enough to strap a few bikes to it?

Thanks for you time.. Andy still working on the fridge!

RVhauler · 07-29-2010, 08:30 PM

IMO no and no

Dmiles · 07-29-2010, 08:57 PM

Well I have a 30ft. class C, fiberglass roof and of course a ladder. I don't have a rail on it, and I have never felt the need to haul anything on the roof, we have plenty of storage room for everything we haul. I do carry 2 folding chairs and occasionally a couple of adult sized bicycles on the ladder, and never had the hint of a problem. I figure if the ladder survives my fat butt going up and down it, some chairs and bicycles should not be a problem, and like I said it has never been yet.

Two things to consider if you put a cargo box on the foof. The CCC of a class C is generally pretty low compared to a class A. Anything you put on the roof has to be included in your CCC. Also, I wouldn't want any box that ended up higher than anything else on the roof, just to be on the safe side for clearance considerations. You don't see many motorhomes with cargo boxes, and I figure there are good reasons for that.

Just my .02, prolly worth what you paid for it.

Purplefans & Harvey · 07-29-2010, 09:14 PM

I saw some kayaks on the roof of a Class C recently.

NITEHAWK · 10-14-2010, 08:26 PM

We just got a 1989 Foretravel Class A with a large storage pod on the roof at the rear. The pod is large enough to easily hold two large "Gravity" recliners and two five gallon water jugs. I do worry about overpass clearance but haven't had time yet to measure overall height.

Our old class C had a ladder on the rear but also a rubber roof and I tried to minimize my time up top to reduce wear & tear. The frame construction of the roofs on some class C brands might not retain their integrity with the additional load, vibration and foot traffic that occurs with having a pod.

Nitehawk

Gary RVRoamer · 10-15-2010, 09:19 AM

If the roof is strong enuogh for you to walk on, it is strong enough to carry a box. Whether the rails are well-anchored, though, is something you have to decide by inspecting them. I suspect they are merely screwed into the luan backing for the roof. Modeslt strong is there are enough anchor points, but not exactly rugged.

The ladder is similar. If a 200 lb guy can climb it, it has to be fairly well attached. Hanging bies on it, though, will create a constant torque as you bounce and sway down the road. I'd keep an eye on the ladder mounts to make sure they weren't loosening up. I see all kinds of stuff hung on ladders, but it's hard to know if any of thoose folks eventually have a problem.

Hooper · 10-15-2010, 11:07 AM

You may want to think of a rack that mounts to your hitch for your box. They even come with a post to mount bicycles to.

iceman8 · 12-04-2010, 08:22 PM

Not advised. The first time something does not get secured, or someone not being very careful up there...steps through your roof vent, falls, etc. no amount of "I should not have done that.." will matter. Expensive repair and or the end of the trip, right there. Or worse.

I don't own any bike that I would lay down in any event. Rig up or buy a proper bike rack for the back end. A welding shop can for relatively cheap, make a modest extention of some kind, to your specs. I mean a real extension, not the angle iron/expanded metal baskets that go into the hitch. My buddy just had one of those fail on the road, carring a 125lb. generator. Very bad.

I would stay off the roof unless doing repairs, etc. JMO.

Purplefans & Harvey · 12-04-2010, 08:45 PM

We used a Thule 4-bike hitch rack with our Class C, without problem. We carried one nice chair on the ladder rack. Never quite comfortable holding more on the ladder.

ksg5000 · 02-05-2011, 09:35 AM

The rail on your roof is good for a hand grip getting on/off the roof as well as providing a source for water leaks - that's about it. Anyone who uses it to carry stuff is asking for trouble.