Standing on the roof
+6
Dave D
Paramedic
rgermain
kaspian
AutoSleepy_Don
greycaster
10 posters
The Auto-Sleeper Motorhome Owners Forum (ASOF) :: Auto-Sleeper Motorhome Forums :: Auto-Sleeper "Van Conversions" Forum
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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- Member
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Posts : 107
Joined : 2015-03-17
Member Age : 70
Location : Scotland
Auto-Sleeper Model : Warwick XL
Vehicle Year : 2015
Re: Standing on the roof
I doubt it quite a lotgreycaster 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.
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
AutoSleepy_Don- Member
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Posts : 1124
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Member Age : 63
Location : Hampshire
Auto-Sleeper Model : Warwick Duo
Vehicle Year : 2017
Re: Standing on the roof
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.
kaspian- Member
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Posts : 1372
Joined : 2015-09-27
Member Age : 64
Location : ayrshire - Burns country
Auto-Sleeper Model : WARWICK XL
Vehicle Year : 2017
Re: Standing on 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.
greycaster- Member
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Posts : 107
Joined : 2015-03-17
Member Age : 70
Location : Scotland
Auto-Sleeper Model : Warwick XL
Vehicle Year : 2015
Re: Standing on the roof
I stood on my Warwick Duo roof ok, apart from almost being blown off on a very windy day! Never learn do we. I fitted a solar panel and the roof never moved and I am just under 14 stone!
Mind you, I think the vans are all the same, but mine is a Peugeot not a FIAT!
Just take care and be prepared to grab the roof rails, if fitted.
Mind you, I think the vans are all the same, but mine is a Peugeot not a FIAT!
Just take care and be prepared to grab the roof rails, if fitted.
rgermain- Donator
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Posts : 3650
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Auto-Sleeper Model : Warwick duo
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Re: Standing on the roof
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.
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Paramedic- Member
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Posts : 2487
Joined : 2016-01-27
Member Age : 77
Location : Chichester West Sussex
Auto-Sleeper Model : Broadway FB
Vehicle Year : 2013
Re: Standing on the roof
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!
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!
kaspian- Member
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Posts : 1372
Joined : 2015-09-27
Member Age : 64
Location : ayrshire - Burns country
Auto-Sleeper Model : WARWICK XL
Vehicle Year : 2017
Re: Standing on the roof
Well as usual there are conflicting answers, think I will play it safe and work off a ladder. Thanks for all the replies.
greycaster- Member
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Posts : 107
Joined : 2015-03-17
Member Age : 70
Location : Scotland
Auto-Sleeper Model : Warwick XL
Vehicle Year : 2015
Re: Standing on the roof
Better safe than definitely sorry!
kaspian- Member
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Posts : 1372
Joined : 2015-09-27
Member Age : 64
Location : ayrshire - Burns country
Auto-Sleeper Model : WARWICK XL
Vehicle Year : 2017
Re: Standing on the roof
A now departed friend of mine used to say " Thems as dies is the lucky one's!!! He was a roofer!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!
Dave D- Member
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Posts : 25
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Member Age : 73
Location : Cheshire
Auto-Sleeper Model : Symbol
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Re: Standing on the roof
the ad i saw was for a Hymer B-class where one identical van was stood on the roof of another...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.
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...
Guest- Guest
Re: Standing on the roof
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...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.
redturner37- Member
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Vehicle Year : 1991
Re: Standing on the roof
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.
Guest- Guest
Re: Standing on the roof
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
Bartfarst
Bartfarst- Member
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Re: Standing on the roof
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
rgermain- Donator
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Re: Standing on the roof
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 boncergermain 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
kaspian- Member
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Posts : 1372
Joined : 2015-09-27
Member Age : 64
Location : ayrshire - Burns country
Auto-Sleeper Model : WARWICK XL
Vehicle Year : 2017
Re: Standing on the roof
..and on a similar note, my Peugeot handbook suggests standing on the 'step' under the headlights to clean the windscreen? Anyone tried it?
Jarjar- Member
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Location : The Beautiful Lake District
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Vehicle Year : 2016
Re: Standing on the roof
Must have been one of "Snow White's" men!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?
Dave D- Member
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Posts : 25
Joined : 2017-08-07
Member Age : 73
Location : Cheshire
Auto-Sleeper Model : Symbol
Vehicle Year : 2005
Re: Standing on the roof
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"
If I can , sure you males can ,I am only 5`2"
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