Dave Solberg

How and When to Walk on Your RV Roof

Dave Solberg
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Duration:   1  mins

People ask all the time if it’s safe for them to walk on their RV roof, and the truth is, there’s no clear-cut answer. Whether or not you can walk on your RV roof depends on the make and model of your vehicle, as well as the type of support the roof offers for one or more persons.

Sometimes, there may be something wrong with your roof vent or A/C unit, and it’s necessary to get up on the RV roof to diagnose the problem. In situations like this, it’s important to know whether you can walk safely on the RV roof or if you’ll need a ladder. In this lesson, we teach you when it’s okay to walk on your roof and talk about some of the ways you can do so safely without doing any damage to the components on your RV roof or the roof itself.

Tips for walking on an RV roof

So we know that being able to walk on an RV roof depends upon the kind of structural support the roof offers, but what separates a strong roof from a weak one? Dave Solberg discusses some of the differences, from the framework to the placement of components such as roof vents and A/C units. You’ll discover why it’s generally unadvised to walk on the RV roof of most cheaper models, and learn where to look for info on your specific model.

Once you’ve learned whether you can walk on your RV roof, Dave shows you how to go about navigating the weak points on a roof, especially spots around the edges of vents and other components. You don’t want to risk cracking supporting materials or splitting a seam in the roof, so pay attention to the way Dave avoids trouble areas as he walks from front to back of the RV. Utilize these expert tips the next time you walk on your RV roof, and you should have no trouble doing any maintenance work on your vehicle!

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13 Responses to “How and When to Walk on Your RV Roof”

  1. Ricky RANKIN

    i have a 2014 kodiak 276bhsl and it has a ladder on it. my question is what is the weight limit for the roof

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  3. Kristy Webster

    My fridge fell out of the wall, how do I fix this?

  4. MICHAEL VNAR

    I have 2017 Breckenridge lakeview 340fk. I want to install roof went in my living room. How i can find right place to do it and can i walk on my roof I'm 240lb? Thx.

  5. Rob

    Is it safe to walk on the roof of a 2014 crossroads sunset trail super lite 300hb? I have a seal that needs repair but am unsure if walking on the roof will cause more damage.

  6. Keith

    I have a 2005 Keystone Outback 27RSDS camper. I would like to know if it is safe to walk on the roof? It does have a rubber roof and I have never been on top. I have only use a ladder and brush extension to clean the roof. However, I am having AC problems and need to get on top to check on. Thanks for your help!

  7. Carolyn D Pruitt

    Just looking.

  8. Jay

    Is it safe to walk on the roof of a 2016 MXT by KZ toyhauler?

  9. karen Johnson

    Can you walk on a 2005 Rockwood 8317SS roof?

  10. Kenneth

    If your rv has a built-in ladder, and the wall it is attached to seems solid (no evidence of delamination) then go for it. I'd recommend going on hands and knees (with a set of nonrigid foam or cloth based knee pads) because that spreads the load out over 3 or 4 points of contact, rather than 1 or 2 with just your feet. You will need to get down on hands and knees anyway to inspect the condition of the caulk around all openings. Bases of skylights are particularly prone to issues. Recaulk anything that looks cracked, worn, has holes or gaps in it, or is aged to the point that it is no longer pliable. Look at the condition of the roof membrane itself too - EPDM or TPO rubber material should be firmly adhered to the plywood underneath, and not easily dislodged or scraped off. Any area of the roof that does not feel firm, or gives way when pressed is very likely a sign of rotted wood underneath and needs to be examined by an RV technician specializing in roof repair ASAP. Once water finds an opening, it will very quickly begin traveling through the interior ceiling and walls until it reaches the floor, progressively rotting through whatever wood it encounters along the way, often with no visible signs on the interior of the RV. In well constructed RVs, by the time damage is visible on the interior, the repair bill might cost more than the rv is worth. Inspect your roof 4 times a year or more, depending on rainfall, if necessary take it to an RV service center and have them perform a roof inspection. I wish I knew you could walk on the roof of your RV before I bought mine: would have saved me over a thousand dollars in materials alone and countless hours researching things on the internet and more than 2 weeks on the roof repairing it. And I was lucky - my roof repair was confined to a 2x2 square foot section that did not involve any structural members - these fortunately were made out of aluminum tubing.

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