Can I walk/crawl on my roof??

[hoorders]

Hi everyone,

I really new to RV'ing and am dealing with my first trailer....its a 26 foot Salem Lite by Forest River.........I was clearing some debris off the roof a few weeks ago and I contemplated actually walking on the roof to do this as it would have been much easier than from the ladder leaning on the trailer.........anyways I put one foot on the roof and it didn't feel solid......felt kinda soft.....not like a soft or damaged area on the roof....just spongy....and I thought if I stand and walk around on it, im surely going to go through it or damage it.........its a vinyl or maybe rubber roof......definately not fibre glass...........so whats under the vinyl/rubber on the roof?.........is it safe to walk on?

Thanks!

[Hokiehall]

I walk on my Flagstaff ultralite roof all the time to re-seal, clean, and inspect things as necessary. Very sturdy up there and I weigh about 205.

[hoorders]

Originally Posted by Hokiehall

I walk on my Flagstaff ultralite roof all the time to re-seal, clean, and inspect things as necessary. Very sturdy up there and I weigh about 205.

Does your roof have the vinyl/rubber roof?

[welshman599]

They are all pretty walkable, but you're right they don't feel too strong. The underdecking is either plywood or particle board. mine is 3/8" but I'm not positive if the 'lite' trailers use a slightly thinner roof decking than that. I usually tread quite lightly, stepping as much as possible on the joists. Wear boat shoes or other shoes with soft rubber soles. (Check for rocks in the tread too... the roof material damages quite easily.)

EPDM Rubber is the standard, but a few FR models have a new vinyl roof.

[hoorders]

Originally Posted by welshman599

They are all pretty walkable, but you're right they don't feel too strong. The underdecking is either plywood or particle board. mine is 3/8" but I'm not positive if the 'lite' trailers use a slightly thinner roof decking than that. I usually tread quite lightly, stepping as much as possible on the joists. Wear boat shoes or other shoes with soft rubber soles. (Check for rocks in the tread too... the roof material damages quite easily.)

EPDM Rubber is the standard, but a few FR models have a new vinyl roof.

How would I know where the joists are?

[Hokiehall]

Originally Posted by hoorders

Does your roof have the vinyl/rubber roof?

EPDM Rubber is on mine.

[welshman599]

Originally Posted by hoorders

How would I know where the joists are?

Guesswork and feel mainly. When you walk on one, you'll notice no sponginess there. They're normally at 16" I think. Often if you look closely you'll see where two sheets of plywood join... that is one joist location and there will be another one 1/3 and 2/3 across the sheet.

By the way, you'll find a good link to Alpha Systems (roofing manufacturer) in our links thread http://forestriverforums.com/forums/...read.php?t=992

[budfans]

I walk on mine before I close my slides to sweep any braches or other junk , and yes it is on the soft side

[rockwood06]

Contact your dealer, they maybe able to get the specs from the manufacture or go on line.

[NDJollyMon]

Some manufacturers of lightweight trailers say not to walk on them.
Stick to the supporting joists, or lay some plywood down to help spread the weight and you should be fine up there.