ladders and roofs

Bengaz

Bengaz

Free Member
Joined
May 3, 2015
Posts
126
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south shields
Funster No
36,165
MH
Chausson 610 welcome
Exp
2015
Hi,
got the motorhome washed by drive thru handwash thing other day and bloke was crawling along roof cleaning it.
I never realized they would take the weight of a person crawling along it and was canny shocked thought he would fall thru.
Is this safe to do so?
Brings me to my next question: - What do people carry around ladder wise to access the roof or high level for the odd jobs and cleaning. Motorhome is 2.7m to ridge.
Mines parked in storage and I have lots of room to carry a ladder should need be.
 
A lot seem to use telescopic ladders to carry around.
I don't bother, just clean roof at home once a year using A ladder
So far I've never needed to access roof whilst traveling, although I do have a fitted ladder on the back if necessary
 
He wasn't washing your roof, he was checking out access opertunities for his buddies still over the channel.

Joking aside
I would never let the handwash boys within 30 foot of my Motor Home let alone the roof
The chemicals they use are industrial strength and most often under diluted for their purpose
You risk serious damage to your van IMHO
I have seen far too many hand prints and finger prints burned into car paintwork from workers over indulgent use of TFR
Not all roofs are suitable for walking on those that are have restriction on where it is safe and wise.
Roof light seals are at risk of cracking and leaking if not given a wide birth
Im confident of looking at cars and vans and picking out most that have used the drive in hand wash's
 
I have repurposed a loft ladder. 2 section sliding aluminium. Have added a ply pad on swivels at top. I cover pad when in use to stop marking van wall. When closed fits across van in underfloor locker. Not suited for heavy use but there in case....
 
Well our N&B roof is the same double aluminium sandwich as the body walls so is structural, needing no further support. Also we have a fixed ladder which in itself indicates roof is safe to walk on. I have done it many times and there is not the slightest sign of flexing.

Geoff

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The modern trend in construction methods of dense foam sandwiched between a plastic/fiberglass outer and a thin board inner are more than capable of taking a persons weight.. most coachbuilts are constructed that way now..
Chausson had a picture of a car sitting on the toof of their vans :LOL:..
You would be more likely to cause damage climbing around the roof of a panel van conversion.... if you didnt take some precautions to spread the load.
Andy.
 
No problems walking on the roof of mine. If the roof is bonded and the insulation is a PU foam should be OK. A lot of UK vans only have polystyrene insulation which is nowhere near as strong.
 
Our old Autosleeper had a rear ladder & safe panels marked on the roof to let you know where you could walk, its was all area's except the luton, which was a lot thinner that the rest of the roof.

Next time your sitting in one of those motorway service stations with the food served in the walkway over the road, look carefully at the area about the front screen on motorhomes & caravans.
The ones which are travelling fairly quickly are buckling right in due to wind resistance, I kid you not, I was shocked when I first noticed this phenomenon.
They appear to spring back into shape as they slow back down but, I'd always wondered why my caravan roof showed signed of creasing which I only noticed when polishing the roof annually.

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SandraL said:
I have repurposed a loft ladder. 2 section sliding aluminium. Have added a ply pad on swivels at top. I cover pad when in use to stop marking van wall. When closed fits across van in underfloor locker. Not suited for heavy use but there in case....
Click to expand...
Any photos:)?
 
ambulancekidd said:
Our old Autosleeper had a rear ladder & safe panels marked on the roof to let you know where you could walk, its was all area's except the luton, which was a lot thinner that the rest of the roof.

Next time your sitting in one of those motorway service stations with the food served in the walkway over the road, look carefully at the area about the front screen on motorhomes & caravans.
The ones which are travelling fairly quickly are buckling right in due to wind resistance, I kid you not, I was shocked when I first noticed this phenomenon.
They appear to spring back into shape as they slow back down but, I'd always wondered why my caravan roof showed signed of creasing which I only noticed when polishing the roof annually.
Click to expand...
Wow ,screw clambering on the roof then...
What did you use to get rid of the crap on the roof. Mine badly needs doing, 4 years old soon. Never done.
 
andy63 said:
The modern trend in construction methods of dense foam sandwiched between a plastic/fiberglass outer and a thin board inner are more than capable of taking a persons weight.. most coachbuilts are constructed that way now..
Chausson had a picture of a car sitting on the toof of their vans :LOL:..
You would be more likely to cause damage climbing around the roof of a panel van conversion.... if you didnt take some precautions to spread the load.
Andy.
Click to expand...
Aye it's a Chausson.
So ok to kneel around the edges?
 
Geo said:
He wasn't washing your roof, he was checking out access opertunities for his buddies still over the channel.

Joking aside
I would never let the handwash boys within 30 foot of my Motor Home let alone the roof
The chemicals they use are industrial strength and most often under diluted for their purpose
You risk serious damage to your van IMHO
I have seen far too many hand prints and finger prints burned into car paintwork from workers over indulgent use of TFR
Not all roofs are suitable for walking on those that are have restriction on where it is safe and wise.
Roof light seals are at risk of cracking and leaking if not given a wide birth
Im confident of looking at cars and vans and picking out most that have used the drive in hand wash's
Click to expand...
I know I know, it was a one off and I was desperate. I can't get the Motorhome near my house so need some ideas for washing it on a site.
 
Bengaz said:
Wow ,screw clambering on the roof then...
What did you use to get rid of the crap on the roof. Mine badly needs doing, 4 years old soon. Never done.
Click to expand...


i use.............















The missus..........................:Eeek::imoutahere:

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Bengaz said:
What do people carry around ladder wise to access the roof or high level for the odd jobs and cleaning.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but it's a very sad man who washes his van roof while out in the van...or even washes the van come to that, maybe a wipe over on the rear end but any more..... Oh dear me.
 
I use the BP station,s jet wash on Jarrow Rd big bays, wash our 8.5m long moho there no bother could be a option for you (y)
 
pappajohn said:
I'm sorry, but it's a very sad man who washes his van roof while out in the van...or even washes the van come to that, maybe a wipe over on the rear end but any more..... Oh dear me.
Click to expand...

ooh er missus.............:whistle:
 
pappajohn said:
I'm sorry, but it's a very sad man who washes his van roof while out in the van...or even washes the van come to that, maybe a wipe over on the rear end but any more..... Oh dear me.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your help and input.
 
Ditcha said:
I use the BP station,s jet wash on Jarrow Rd big bays, wash our 8.5m long moho there no bother could be a option for you (y)
Click to expand...
Cheers I'll have a look. I've got literally no where to park at home and they don't allow you to do anything in the storage to the moho. And worth my work/time restraints I have to clean it when I collect for a trip or en-route.

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Bengaz said:
Cheers I'll have a look. I've got literally no where to park at home and they don't allow you to do anything in the storage to the moho. And worth my work/time restraints I have to clean it when I collect for a trip or en-route.
Click to expand...

Yeah thats my problem to I wash it on the way back then put it in to storage.
 
The dethleffs had a roof ladder and roof rack fitted. Interesting to view the roof in strong sunlight and see the dimples left by footprints. Luckily sold now.
Jim
 
pappajohn said:
I'm sorry, but it's a very sad man who washes his van roof while out in the van...or even washes the van come to that, maybe a wipe over on the rear end but any more..... Oh dear me.
Click to expand...
My mate carries everything & cleans & polishes even when just stopping for a break. Even the alloys get wiped .
I woke one morning wondering what I could hear & he was cleaning the alloys on the car before going out.(y)
I must admit there is nothing like a clean , sparkling vehicle. In the Uk most really need doing on a daily basis.

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Mine has a fixed roof ladder which I use to access roof for cleaning. In my view it’s a bit of an OTT accessory,but maybe it was the fashion in mid naughties.
 
i wash the roof every month mainly because the solar panel is there and it is parked near a main road so gets quite mucky, usually with a telescopic brush but once a year i will get up there and give it a good sponge clean
i would suggest caution with a garage jetwash as it is industrial, non adjustable and will do a good job of ruining all your seals if you are not very careful
 
Podney said:
Mine has a fixed roof ladder which I use to access roof for cleaning. In my view it’s a bit of an OTT accessory,but maybe it was the fashion in mid naughties.
Click to expand...

So has mine, and it's a pain in the backside - I ended up making my own ladder cover, to help put off any thieving scrotes from climbing up there. I wish it didn't have the ladder, but I can't remove it without leaving big holes. It's not even any use!

I've never risked climbing on the roof of my van - not sure how strong it is (it is plastic outer layer + polystyrene + very thin board inner layer) and I'm neither small nor svelte, 19 stone of me clambering about doesn't seem like a good idea! To clean the roof I use a stepladder at home, plus a brush on a pole - or I have even used my scaffold tower to get really good access before now. If the scaffold tower platform is at roof height I can lean across from it to do skylight repairs even in the middle of the van.
 
I bought a really good quality telescopic ladder in the end. Lightweight and fits the moho perfectly. Ideal for cleaning and maintenance.
 
Bought that waterless wash stuff, total garbage! need a full bottle and a thousand rags...
Back to finding an external water outlet/tap for one of those fancy water saving wash brushes at the motorhome show.
Anyone sourced anything like that before?

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