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Topic: Getting on the roof (Read 909 times) previous topic - next topic

Getting on the roof

I have some cleaning, sealing and ac maintenance to do on the roof. The previous owner had Xtreme remove the ladder when they did fbp. Will have to lean a ladder against the roof to get up there.
Don't want to damage Xtreme's nice paint job. OK to lay a packing blanket across the roof edge and lean the ladder there?
Thanks
Mike & Molly Patronick
2001 U320 40'
2011 Forester

Re: Getting on the roof

Reply #1 –
Wrap ladder with towels where needed, secure with 200 mph (duct) tape
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Getting on the roof

Reply #2 –
Mike,
While I don't have expierience with custom coach paint, my expierience with classic cars would reccomend not to lean the ladder against the coach.  I think even though your covering the legs you are still applying alot of weight to those two points.  I'm not sure how well the paint could handle that.  You might consider calling xtreme for their opinion.

Jerry
Jerry & Nanci
1999 U270 34'WTFI
2011 Malibu
A smart man knows what to say, a wise man knows when to say it.

Re: Getting on the roof

Reply #3 –
Thanks Tim and Jerry
Took Jerry's advice and called James at Xtreme. James says Tim is right, just pad the crown where the ladder leans. James says most people who have had the ladder removed just buy a collapsing extendible ladder with rubber tips. Then lean the ladder against the coach with the rubber tips on the crown at the edge of the roof.

Previous owner left one of the extendible ladders with the coach. I already had a nice collapsing 7' stepladder so sold the extendible. Just one more mistake I guess.
Mike & Molly Patronick
2001 U320 40'
2011 Forester

Re: Getting on the roof

Reply #4 –
I slip two pieces of split foam pipe insulation over the stiles of the ladder where it rest against the roof.  You may need to put a zip-tie or tape to hold them in place.  My ladder reaches above the roof to make it easy to get on & off.  No damage so far.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Getting on the roof

Reply #5 –
Cut 18 inch sections of pool noodle, slice halfway through lengthwise and fit on the ladder. Attach with tape if needed
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Getting on the roof

Reply #6 –
Werner AC96 Aluminum Ladder StabilizerUse a ladder stabilizer. These are rubber-footed so will not scratch paint.  This is the safest way to stabilize a ladder when getting off and onto the ladder...PLEASE!
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Getting on the roof

Reply #7 –
How the ladder top touches the coach concerns the paint and risks climbing off ladder onto roof

How the ladder touches the ground affects bones.

Xtreme has many spare ladders available that were removed from coaches, maybe for the wrong reason.

Using just the top half of the original ladder is all that is needed to improve the step onto the roof surface with a hand hold.
Using a standard Lowe's 8' A-ladder to step onto original coach mounted ladder has its benefits.

I would not step off a portable ladder onto the roof without someone on the ground, strong enough to hold ladder safely.

Re: Getting on the roof

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Keith and Joyce –
I slip two pieces of split foam pipe insulation over the stiles of the ladder where it rest against the roof.  You may need to put a zip-tie or tape to hold them in place.  My ladder reaches above the roof to make it easy to get on & off.  No damage so far.

Keith

I still have my ladder on the back but I took this advise as it feels safer putting a 16' extension ladder on the side and climbing up that way.
I always have the original rear ladder to get me back down when I knock the extension ladder over when pulling on a water or air hose that ALWAYS wraps around some part of the latter.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Getting on the roof

Reply #9 –
I lean my padded ladder against the big awning cover instead of risking my FBP.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Getting on the roof

Reply #10 –
Brett, that a great idea
Jimmy Freytag,  Ardmore, Ok
1999 36ft U320. — -SOLD—-
1988 40ft GV        1990 36ft U280
1993 40ft U280      1996 36ft U280
  TRAVEL WHILE YOU CAN THE TIME WILL COME
            WHEN YOU NO LONGER CAN.