Walking on the roof

[Fraggle 22]

We have an Autotrail Apache 634. I won't to clean it but especially the roof. How safe is bit to climb on the roof? I am 80kg bloke. Any thoughts please

 

[Clivefog]

Does it have a ladder and or roof rails?

 

[Phill D]

I use a kids body board to get on the roof.
It spreads the load and prevents any depressions from the knees.
I also put an old towel underneath so it does not scratch if I want to shuffle it about.
But i don't like pressure on the roof unless it's a must

 

[robnchris]

We have the same motorhome & I would highly recommend you DO Not stand on the roof.
Why would you want to? resting a ladder up the side of the van and you will be able to clean the roof past centre then go around the other side, that's how I clean our roof, Top Tip do it regularly so there isn't an accumulation of dirt up there.

 

[Fraggle 22]

Does it have a ladder and or roof rails?

No it doesnt

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[Fraggle 22]

We have the same motorhome & I would highly recommend you DO Not stand on the roof.
Why would you want to? resting a ladder up the side of the van and you will be able to clean the roof past centre then go around the other side, that's how I clean our roof, Top Tip do it regularly so there isn't an accumulation of dirt up there.

Thanks for the advice. Its what I thought but have seen that others do go on the roof.

 

[glenn2926]

I’m not sure if your van is strongly enough built but I walk about on my chausson roof regularly. There was at one point a chausson advert showing another vehicle parked on the roof of a chausson.
If you asked the manufacturer I’m sure they can advise you. It’s certainly easier to clean the roof whilst on it.

 

[Gellyneck]

I think AT told me that it's not recommended but must not exceed 75kg. Always use a set of stepladders, extendable brush, etc to wash the roof and we've got a rear ladder on it.

 

[The Dotties]

How heavy is Mrs Fraggle?

 

[Fraggle 22]

How heavy is Mrs Fraggle?

You should never ask a lady that

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[Lenny HB]

My Hymer roof is rated at 75kg not a problem providing I go up there starkers, I get some strange looks from the neighbours.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Kids, grand kids, or wait till "bob a job " week, showing me age there
Mike

 

[Bustup15]

My Hymer roof is rated at 75kg not a problem providing I go up there starkers, I get some strange looks from the neighbours.

Lenny - that's strike 2!

Of your posts that may have damaged my mind forever and cannot be erased

 

[DerryW]

Regardless of the what the weight rating is, I wouldn't advice it. 3mtrs is a long way to fall heaven forbid. You should be able to reach halfway across the roof using an extendable brush from a set of steps or ladder from both sides.

 

[Lenny HB]

Lenny - that's strike 2!

Of your posts that may have damaged my mind forever and cannot be erased

Remind me of strike 1.

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[Bustup15]

It's Mijhan' s birthday on Sunday I've bought her a wetsuit, I tried it on fits me perfectly.

 

[Markman]

Regardless of the what the weight rating is, I wouldn't advice it. 3mtrs is a long way to fall heaven forbid. You should be able to reach halfway across the roof using an extendable brush from a set of steps or ladder

Agree. In the UK we kill about 140 people per year through Workplace Fatalities. About 50% of those are due to "working at height", ie falling. The HSE provides good guidance of how to prepare to work at height (above 1.8 metres):

and more details here:

https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg401.pdf

 

[bexleyjohn]

Bob-a-job Week!!! Wow, that brings back memories. Does it still happen? Or is it now Fiver-a-favour week????

 

[ChrisSue]

Why have I got a certain Police song going round in my head?

 

[minesapint]

We have an Autotrail Apache 634. I won't to clean it but especially the roof. How safe is bit to climb on the roof? I am 80kg bloke. Any thoughts please

If it has a ladder and roof rails it may be strong enough, I am just under 12 stone ( I have not a clue what that is in EU weight) and I would not walk on a roof that does not specifically have a walkway. Our first MoHo a Dethleffs had a walkway and I was happy to go up and wash the roof, but our current Burstner does not have either a ladder or walkway, so long brush on the hose, and a ladder. I have had the whole van Ceramic polished By Stuart in Clacton and he has also done the roof so its just a hos and light brush and its clean.

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

Why have I got a certain Police song going round in my head?

Drifters surely ??
Mike.

 

[Lenny HB]

Kids, grand kids, or wait till "bob a job " week, showing me age there
Mike

Don't reckon my one & three year old grandkids would do a decent job that's apart from the wife & daughter lynching me.

 

[raysalaugh]

My Hymer roof is rated at 75kg not a problem providing I go up there starkers, I get some strange looks from the neighbours.

Lenny, you should never go on a motorhome roof starkers, always wear something nonslip on your feet.

 

[Boxtree]

This is how we manage to wash the roof.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Elf and what ? We used to do large, tall and long hedge cuts like that on a JCB, H.S.E. would have kittens now.
Mike

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[Lenny HB]

Lenny, you should never go on a motorhome roof starkers, always wear something nonslip on your feet.

And a mobile phone, got stuck on the roof for an hour once after knocking the ladder away.

 

[ChrisSue]

Drifters surely ??
Mike.

I'd forgotten that one BouncyBoatFolk

 

[knokinonabit]

We have an Autotrail Comanche which has the rear ladder. I contacted Autotrail and asked if it was safe to walk on the roof.
The reply was that it was ok to walk on the roof but not the overcab "bubble".
I have cleaned ours from new by going up the ladder and walking around up there. No problems so far and that was from 2012 when we bought it.
You obviously have to be careful to not step on wind deflectors, skylights, solar panels, etc., but it can be done.

If in doubt contact Autotrail.

 

[Markman]

Elf and what ? We used to do large, tall and long hedge cuts like that on a JCB, H.S.E. would have kittens now.
Mike

Not the HSE but the police and courts. However OK as long as you do it yourself. If you sent an employee to do that, and they fell off and died, then you would have been guilty of not doing your DUTY to protect the health of your employees under the Heath and Safety at Work Act 1974 - so in place since you were a lad! For a small company probably only a year in jail for the boss, but a lifetime for your deceased employee's family.

 

[Catpirate]

My Burstner weight limit on the roof is 200kg. Have walked on it often and have still not fallen through although the worst part is getting back on the ladder to return to terra firma.........

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