Standing on your Roof

by Guest Sun Nov 20, 2022 1:46 pm

On my Auto Sleepers Nuevo 2004 we would like to get on the roof to both clean it and to fit the rails for the solar panels.

Her Indoors who would be the one on the roof weighs about 11 stone. I am wondering if it is ok for her to get on the roof and crawl about on hands and knees. ie is it strong enough

Thanks

by IanH Sun Nov 20, 2022 2:19 pm

by IanH Sun Nov 20, 2022 2:21 pm

Use East Europeans to clean the roof, where I go there's lots of them if one falls off there's immediate replacements!! hugegrins

(Kidding, but I do use E Europeans!)

by Peter Brown Sun Nov 20, 2022 3:27 pm

I've cleaned the roofs on all of my AS coachbuilts by crawling on the roof. I'm 11.5 stone and no harm ever done. The AS spec for
being on the roof is 75kg spread so about the same. For the last couple of years being less mobile I've been concerned about kicking the ladder away whilst dismounting so would have someone hold the ladder.

I once used the Wilton roof as a work platform to do some wiring on the gable of my mothers bungalow, again no problem.

by bikeralw Sun Nov 20, 2022 4:01 pm

I wouldn't. There really is no need with a small van like the Neuvo. The roof is easily accessible from either standing on steps inside the van and working through the skylight, or stepladders outside.
The only part that's difficult to clean is the roof forward of the skylight, that's way too fragile to put weight on.
Al.

by rgermain Sun Nov 20, 2022 4:10 pm

Yes

Just make sure that not like me while fitting the solar panel some years ago, it's not windy, thank goodness for the roof rails.
-------
Richard

by Guest Sun Nov 20, 2022 5:15 pm

So some say yes some say no as ever hugegrins

by bikeralw Sun Nov 20, 2022 5:53 pm

As ever it's up to you, but as Peter says, on a coachbuilt it's essential to spread the load, boards or anything else used to achieve this will only get in the way of whatever you're trying to do up there.
Al.

by Guest Sun Nov 20, 2022 9:15 pm

Using a step ladder and working through the large roof window was certainly something I had not thought about

by IanH Sun Nov 20, 2022 9:58 pm

Those saying yes aren't necessarily right
Those saying no aren't necessarily right

by Caraman Sun Nov 20, 2022 10:14 pm

Peter is the only 'yes' who has a coach built. The Nuevo manual says - Maxm load on roof, whether a fixture or person, should not exceed 75 kgs (165 lbs) with a maximum loading of 8 kg (17 lbs) per square foot. That means a 165 lb load should be evenly spread over an area of 9.4 sq ft which is the equivalent to a board just over 3 ft x 3 ft. I think a 165 lb person crawling on the roof with hands and knees without a thick board of at least that size beneath them would cause too much pressure on the roof. You might get away with it without a board but it's not something I would do. I can reach all parts of my Nuevo's roof with ease using an external ladder and internal step with my body poked out through the main roof hatch.

by Guest Mon Nov 21, 2022 1:08 pm

IanH wrote:Those saying yes aren't necessarily right
Those saying no aren't necessarily right

Is that right though.......... Have you tried standing on that old solar array up on yours

by Peter Brown Mon Nov 21, 2022 2:09 pm

The 'u' profile roof, large area and lots of clutter meant that the only possible way to clean the roof of my Malvern was to get on it. I'm pleased to say that on the Broadway I'll be able to reach all areas from the sides and back and am very happy about that.

by IanH Mon Nov 21, 2022 2:32 pm

Bigplumbs wrote:
IanH wrote:Those saying yes aren't necessarily right
Those saying no aren't necessarily right

Is that right though.......... Have you tried standing on that old solar array up on yours

I have sufficient intelligence to not stand on expensive glass solar panels. snigger

by Cymro Mon Nov 21, 2022 2:46 pm

When I had a Clubman, which had a rear ladder and a fixed guard / securing rail around the rear half of the roof, and when I was a few years younger, I'd often clean the roof whilst kneeling on it - taking as many precautions as I could. The roof surface within the guard rail was dimpled: it was designed to be stepped on.

When I bought the coachbuilt Nuevo, which has neither a ladder nor a guard / securing rail but only the awning on one side, I did clamber up on to the roof, twice, to clean it. Stepping across from the ladder was hairy; discovering that the roof surface is very smooth, and becomes very slippery when wet, was frightening. Although I have a good head for heights, I felt the need to kneel or lie flat so as not to slip: there's nothing to grip. Never again.

I don't care if the roof will take my weight: I'm not risking it again.

I bought a robust, tall step-ladder with two handrails and secure feet; from that I can happily clean most of the roof, including the Luton, without leaving the ladder. I have, following a suggestion on the Forum, also used a small step ladder inside the van, to reach out to clean parts of the roof from the roof-light aperture.

I've once fallen off a 3-step ladder, with horrible and longstanding consequences. Admittedly I was cavalier, and it was on rough, uneaven stones - but it was only 3 steps, wasn't it, so what could go wrong? A very great deal, I assure you. Luckily my son (then a Consultant A&E doctor) was home.

Please don't go on a roof which was not designed for safe access.

Cymro

by Guest Mon Nov 21, 2022 5:19 pm

IanH wrote:
Bigplumbs wrote:
IanH wrote:Those saying yes aren't necessarily right
Those saying no aren't necessarily right

Is that right though.......... Have you tried standing on that old solar array up on yours
I have sufficient intelligence to not stand on expensive glass solar panels.

And to spot a joke...... how are you with that up!

by rogerblack Mon Nov 21, 2022 5:31 pm

When I was younger, fitter and MUCH lighter (!) I used to go up onto our Pollensa roof regularly using the built-in ladder, presumably fitted for that purpose, to clean it either with a mop and bucket or jetspray on lowish setting.

Now that I am older, way less fit and MUCH heavier (!), I use a considerably safer method - see pic below.

by FreelanderUK Mon Nov 21, 2022 5:39 pm

I bought a big red foot multi purpose adjustable ladder that came with platform panels that enable me to work at a reasonable hight and for about a 7 foot walkway
Not me just for show in photo

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