Standing on the roof

Does anyone know if it's ok to stand on the roof of a panel van conversion. I have a Warwick XL based on a Fiat Ducato.

greycaster wrote:Does anyone know if it's ok to stand on the roof of a panel van conversion. I have a Warwick XL based on a Fiat Ducato.

I doubt it quite a lot  

Likely depends on how much you weigh? and maybe over what surface area your weight is applied.

Make sure you video your attempt and then you can send it in to you've been framed and get £250 or whatever they pay

Are you kidding ! I can push the roof  panel in with one finger! Youve been framed will give you £250 towards the £10, 000 bill to replace the roof. 

I take it that's a no then. I just wondered how they fitted my satellite dish and solar panel as I'm finding it quite difficult to reach for cleaning.

I recall seeing a promotional advert showing the complete sells team standing on the roof of a coach build (make escapes me) advocating the strength of the roof. Have been many comments about possible damage, broken sealant and leaks to skylights etc. Recently cleaned the roof using telescopic ladder ensuring one hand hold but no provision over the cab and yes there is the risk of a fall. As long as the ladder is secure at ground level, I virtually lay across the roof to reach the centre then repeat from the other side. Very conscious of the risk, don't want to find myself in local A/E conversing with former colleagues.

Hi Greycaster, please DO NOT attempt to stand on the roof of a van conversion. You will regret it ! For cleaning I use an 9 tread a frame set of steps but you could use a section of a telescopic extending ladder, just use pipe insulation on the styles to protect the paintwork at the gutters. If working alone a bit of rope tied from front wheel to ladder 2nd tread to rear wheel will stop ladder base sliding outwards if you lean over roof too far.
         To wash  and  polish the roof I use a telescopic wash brush which can be connected to a hose and then some pads made out of thin ply covered with carpet and rag material of varying shapes and sizes  attached to a length of brush shaft . Some pound shops sell a microfibre pad attached to a long handle fir easy windscreen cleaning to give you an idea of what I am meaning.This easily covers all areas of the roof to allow waxing and polishing  .  van roofs have 3 or 4 ribs running from side to side for rigidity but the steel roof is normal paper thin  panel thickness.
        Would you stand on the bonnet or roof of a modern car without damage ? Please Do not attempt it as damage will occur. The factory use scaffold towers either side to work from when cutting or installing accessories on the roof. For the masochistic enthusiast the best time to clean is during or just after prolonged rain when green gunge etc on roof are well softened especially around roof window / vents where it collects in the ribs running along the roof. Yes I have been that sad person entertaining the neighbours!

Well as usual there are conflicting answers, think I will play it safe and work off a ladder. Thanks for all the replies.

Better safe than definitely sorry! 

kaspian wrote:Hi Greycaster, please DO NOT attempt to stand on the roof of a van conversion. You will regret it ! For cleaning I use an 9 tread a frame set of steps but you could use a section of a telescopic extending ladder, just use pipe insulation on the styles to protect the paintwork at the gutters. If working alone a bit of rope tied from front wheel to ladder 2nd tread to rear wheel will stop ladder base sliding outwards if you lean over roof too far.
         To wash  and  polish the roof I use a telescopic wash brush which can be connected to a hose and then some pads made out of thin ply covered with carpet and rag material of varying shapes and sizes  attached to a length of brush shaft . Some pound shops sell a microfibre pad attached to a long handle fir easy windscreen cleaning to give you an idea of what I am meaning.This easily covers all areas of the roof to allow waxing and polishing  .  van roofs have 3 or 4 ribs running from side to side for rigidity but the steel roof is normal paper thin  panel thickness.
        Would you stand on the bonnet or roof of a modern car without damage ? Please Do not attempt it as damage will occur. The factory use scaffold towers either side to work from when cutting or installing accessories on the roof. For the masochistic enthusiast the best time to clean is during or just after prolonged rain when green gunge etc on roof are well softened especially around roof window / vents where it collects in the ribs running along the roof. Yes I have been that sad person entertaining the neighbours!

A now departed friend of mine used to say " Thems as dies is the lucky one's!!! He was a roofer!

Paramedic wrote:I recall seeing a promotional advert showing the complete sells team standing on the roof of a coach build (make escapes me) advocating the strength of the roof. Have been many comments about possible damage, broken sealant and leaks to skylights etc. Recently cleaned the roof using telescopic ladder ensuring one hand hold but no provision over the cab and yes there is the risk of a fall. As long as the ladder is secure at ground level, I virtually lay across the roof to reach the centre then repeat from the other side. Very conscious of the risk, don't want to find myself in local A/E conversing with former colleagues.

the ad i saw was for a Hymer B-class where one identical van was stood on the roof of another...
impressive stuff.
no worries (weight wise) standing on the roof of my ban for cleaning, but as has been mentioned....please be careful out there, which ever method you use. soapy water and a gently sloping roofline can make life very tricky...

Paramedic wrote:I recall seeing a promotional advert showing the complete sells team standing on the roof of a coach build (make escapes me) advocating the strength of the roof. Have been many comments about possible damage, broken sealant and leaks to skylights etc. Recently cleaned the roof using telescopic ladder ensuring one hand hold but no provision over the cab and yes there is the risk of a fall. As long as the ladder is secure at ground level, I virtually lay across the roof to reach the centre then repeat from the other side. Very conscious of the risk, don't want to find myself in local A/E conversing with former colleagues.

I saw an advert for the Volvo 740 estate car with a Big foot truck driving over it. They didn't show the reinforcing frame inside.....Some Hitops had a steel roof ex factory and you would be quite safe climbing on top but most have grp roof though my LDV Convoy was grp with excellent steel roof bars...

Having had work vans all my working life I would,nt stand on the camper . As has been said you will damage it. A few years back a local garage owner was cleaning his coachbuilt ready for the summer, something he did every year standing on the roof. His wife brought him out a cuppa and found him dead on the ground having fell and hit his head. Be carefull.

My Harmony is coming to the stage where it needs a fair bit up work on the hi-top, certainly in the area above the windscreen but also along the sides and in the centre of the roof around the skylights. For all these, as I think we may have previously discussed, I intend to build a scaffold gantry suspended from two towers either side of the van. That way I will be able to work close-up to the areas in question without loading the roof which, after 22 years of sunlight, is probably even weaker than when new.

Bartfarst

rgermain wrote:

Flaggy wrote:Having had work vans all my working life I would,nt stand on the camper . As has been said you will damage it. A few years back a local garage owner was cleaning his coachbuilt ready for the summer, something he did every year standing on the roof. His wife brought him out a cuppa and found him dead on the ground having fell and hit his head. Be carefull.

Almost happened to me due to a gust of wind! I now use a ladder with padding to protect the paintwork and save the NHS some time and money.

Richard

Hi Richard reading that do you mean that you take the van to the NHS for coachwork/ paintwork otherwise better to use wrap the padding around your vitals and  bonce

..and on a similar note, my Peugeot handbook suggests standing on the 'step' under the headlights to clean the windscreen? Anyone tried it?

Jarjar wrote:..and on a similar note, my Peugeot handbook suggests standing on the 'step' under the headlights to clean the windscreen? Anyone tried it?

Must have been one of "Snow White's" men!

Just use a long handled car window cleaner with microfibre head which can be taken off and washed, from many outlets I keep one in the van.

If I can ,  sure you males can ,I am only 5`2"