Standing On Roof to Repair a Vent

[M_MINCEY]

I have a 2002 Chinook Destiny 2400, I need to repair a couple of vents on the roof. Can I stand or sit on top of the roof to do the repair? What are some of the drawbacks in doing so? Is this option doable or not?

Thank You!

[Blue~Go]

Hi M,

Presuming the roof construction is similar to the Concourse/Premier (which I think is a reasonable assumption), then there should be no problem standing or walking around. If you are very large you may not want to jump up and down (roof probably would not collapse but you could possibly cause de-bonding of the fiberglass/core junction), but careful walking should be fine. That's one thing I find so handy about our shell construction.

Note that the gelcoat can be slippery, especially if wet. I tend to "low walk" keeping, as they say, "one hand for the boat." A fall would not be pleasant.

Just as another tip (not saying you couldn't figure this out), I bring up a few things when I'm going to work up there:

1) Garbage box (just an empty small cardboard box) which I tape to the roof with a "loop" of blue tape under the box (wind can blow it off otherwise).

2) Cardboard or similar to set things like tools on.

3) I take a regular household bucket and put most of my tools and supplies in that, then tie a rope to the handle. I can then just bring the rope up and then lift up the bucket (and lower it afterward). This is especially handy if solo. Also keeps things like solvent cans from easily tipping over. Another option is to still use the bucket but just carry it partway up the rear ladder then set it on the roof.

4) Knee pads or a foam kneeler pad.

5) Miles of 2" blue tape (so handy for laying out lines, marking on, etc.)

6) Lots of paper towels.

7) Camera or phone for documenting.

You may not need all of the above if you are just, say, replacing a vent lid. But this is my basic list for doing something like re-bedding a vent base.

[M_MINCEY]

Thank you for your reply, you here folks tell you not to, but how are you suppose to repair any links if you have any Anyway thank you again.

[Blue~Go]

Well there *are* RV roofs I would not stand on. For example, I have a friend with an Airstream. Some people do sort of shinny up on those (or even walk with something under them to spread the load), but it's not like our roofs. You could dent them. My friend does pretty much everything from a ladder propped against the side. I imagine there are other types of "fragile" roof constructions as well. Ours is relatively sturdy in comparison, which is handy!

[SMan]

Spent well over an hour on the roof of my Premier yesterday scrubbing the winter residue off of it. I have always found it fairly strong. That said I walk as lightly as possible and do as much as I can from a ladder.

[Kirah]

I'm pretty heavy by any standard, and I crawl around on the roof pretty regularly. The first couple of times, I had my brother hanging around in case I fell, so that there would be someone to call 911 Wasn't half as scary as I'd expected once I was up there. I do CRAWL, though and stay as close to center as I can and still get the job done.

Do be careful where you put your weight, though. I went up to try to figure out why my A/C was leaking, and in the process managed to put my hand through an old vent cover (I mean, it needed to be replaced soon anyway, but I hadn't planned on it RIGHT THEN). So then I had TWO leaks, and it was starting to rain again...

[Blue~Go]

I went up to try to figure out why my A/C was leaking, and in the process managed to put my hand through an old vent cover ...

Reading that brings to mind a scene with someone coming through a skylight and landing with a shower of dust in the midst of a dumbfounded crowd.

[Kirah]

Not nearly so dramatic when the opening is only big enough for your arm

[Blue~Go]

Yabut it makes a great visual!

[Skillet]

Do it early in the morning 'cause it gets real hot up there! I replaced my Fantastic Fan last June/July and I slept in, started in shade which quickly went to full sun about 20min later. 90+ degrees and I was hating life.