Walking / Working on Caravan Roof

Keith P · Senior Member

Walking / Working on Caravan Roof

landy · Guru

If it was me Kieth and seeing that the van is fairly new I would be consulting Jayco as to the roof suporting your weight and cutting the hole in the roof. Landy

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Keith,
I'd be very careful. I know the frame around the edges of the lift up lid is quite strong but as to what's in between, I don't now. One thing I'd like to do is visit the Jayco factory in Melbourne & take pictures if that is allowed. I know there isn't much in the roof above the internal lights!! Just two thin pieces of f-glass & some el cheapo insulation wool. I think the roof of my Discovery would be similar to yours.

A Scupper Vent (see www.caravanningwithkids.com.au/what-is-a-scupper-vent/) is what you need, I believe. Read the comments under the "Shop" section. This site www.rgdcorp.com.au/products/marine/scupper-vents/ shows the various sizes of them.

Keith P · Senior Member

Thanks for the replies so far.

I want to use a sorkel head on the roof with the washable filter that is available for them. A scupper vent is available I know...but no amount of designing or thinking outside the square ideas are available to me to install some sort of filtration to stop dust. Have already had one van fitted with a scupper vent .....no bloody good IMO.

Cheers Keith9

Bas + Eve · Senior Member

I have been told Jayco have a very thin lay up on the roof and not meant to be walked on. I guess a lot depends on your weight too

stevep1 · Newbie

Hi Keith,
we have the same van (2014) and I would also like to install a 'pressure vent'.

I have been on the roof many times ( cleaning, extra solar install, reseal hatch ) but use a painters plank, on top of pieces of 90*35 placed on the roof edge, so that the plank does not touch the roof and the outer beam supports any weight.

Where are you going to install the vent, would appreciate pictures of the finished job.

Cheers, Steve

STRETCH ARMSTRONG · Senior Member

If l was doing it l would put a filter in the front trunk, ducted into van. Then do a snorkle up the front on one side of the van with the head at desired height. Just a thought.

Keith P · Senior Member

STRETCH ARMSTRONG wrote:
If l was doing it l would put a filter in the front trunk, ducted into van. Then do a snorkle up the front on one side of the van with the head at desired height. Just a thought.

Well...you aint doing it .and I am. I needed to know some information on roof supporting my weight....and how to locate the various beams and trusses that I know make up the poptop roof. The process that I want to use has been the result of more than a few hours of finding out which way to go about this....simple and I believe....from research I have done....to be effective. On top of that ...I don't want to jam anymore fixtures in my boot...I need that part of van for other duties !!
I am a bit sorry I asked for info on here....as everyone seems to think I need to know this or that or some other GUMPH about stuff that really has nothing to do with what I actually asked about. So for those that may know about my query...please help me out here folks.....

Cheers Keith

-- Edited by Keith P on Tuesday 4th of June 2019 08:09:58 PM

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Depends on how well it is built....

Cheers,

Peter

Keith P · Senior Member

Yep...your right about that....and I already know a little bit about that side of it.....so I,m trying to find out stuff that I don't know about.

Cheers Keith

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I would use a section of plywood to spread my weight . Its not exactly the weight its the concentration in one area. Check area under roof where theres support ? Possibly lean over from ladder if right hight ? Spreading your weight ?

deverall11 · Guru

Keith P wrote:
STRETCH ARMSTRONG wrote:
If l was doing it l would put a filter in the front trunk, ducted into van. Then do a snorkle up the front on one side of the van with the head at desired height. Just a thought.

Well...you aint doing it .and I am. I needed to know some information on roof supporting my weight....and how to locate the various beams and trusses that I know make up the poptop roof. The process that I want to use has been the result of more than a few hours of finding out which way to go about this....simple and I believe....from research I have done....to be effective. On top of that ...I don't want to jam anymore fixtures in my boot...I need that part of van for other duties !!
I am a bit sorry I asked for info on here....as everyone seems to think I need to know this or that or some other GUMPH about stuff that really has nothing to do with what I actually asked about. So for those that may know about my query...please help me out here folks.....

Cheers Keith

Gee Keith, would've thought by now that you would realise for every well intended question there will always be at minimum one well meaning person
wanting to tell you what to do and how to do it.
My opinion.
Larry

-- Edited by Keith P on Tuesday 4th of June 2019 08:09:58 PM

T1 Terry · Guru

:lol: Love it. We have to climb on van roofs all the time. I use a kneeling mat that is a bit like a plastic tea service tray with closed cell foam in it for the spot I'm working on to spread the weight and bits of form ply across the softer roofs to work my way across to where I need to work. Crawling on hands and knees spreads the weight enough combined with the form boards and kneeling pad to climb on any roof that is strong enough to hold up a roof top rattler air con, but no real idea about a poptop roof.
I'm assuming you would have it in the closed position when you wish to climb on it, so form board as big as you can fit to spread the load should be fine. I recommend the kneeling pad, it doesn't take long for the knees to really arc up and make it near impossible to crawl back off the roof and down the ladder.
If you are really worried about your weight on the roof, a couple of painters A frames each side and a painters plank across the roof or portable scaffolding so you don't put any weight at all on the roof.
The simple hand press on the roof will indicate where the bearers are so that part is reasonably easy.

T1 Terry

Keith P · Senior Member

T1 Terry wrote:
:lol: Love it. We have to climb on van roofs all the time. I use a kneeling mat that is a bit like a plastic tea service tray with closed cell foam in it for the spot I'm working on to spread the weight and bits of form ply across the softer roofs to work my way across to where I need to work. Crawling on hands and knees spreads the weight enough combined with the form boards and kneeling pad to climb on any roof that is strong enough to hold up a roof top rattler air con, but no real idea about a poptop roof.
I'm assuming you would have it in the closed position when you wish to climb on it, so form board as big as you can fit to spread the load should be fine. I recommend the kneeling pad, it doesn't take long for the knees to really arc up and make it near impossible to crawl back off the roof and down the ladder.
If you are really worried about your weight on the roof, a couple of painters A frames each side and a painters plank across the roof or portable scaffolding so you don't put any weight at all on the roof.
The simple hand press on the roof will indicate where the bearers are so that part is reasonably easy.

T1 Terry

Hooray !!! At last ...some info I can use ...thanks Terry. As luck would have it .a builder mate of mine offered his trellis ladders and a 5 metre builders plank this morning....plus help in identifying roof bearers with his stud finder....but I reckon your method ( which had not even got within a bull,s roar of entering my brain ) will probly be close to the mark....

He also has a gizmo that detects current inside walls ...but was unsure if it works on 12 volt...so we will see. Now all I have to do is gather all the bits together ...and do it.

Cheers Keith

-- Edited by Keith P on Wednesday 5th of June 2019 08:58:13 PM

Keith P · Senior Member

deverall11 wrote:
Keith P wrote:
STRETCH ARMSTRONG wrote:
If l was doing it l would put a filter in the front trunk, ducted into van. Then do a snorkle up the front on one side of the van with the head at desired height. Just a thought.

Well...you aint doing it .and I am. I needed to know some information on roof supporting my weight....and how to locate the various beams and trusses that I know make up the poptop roof. The process that I want to use has been the result of more than a few hours of finding out which way to go about this....simple and I believe....from research I have done....to be effective. On top of that ...I don't want to jam anymore fixtures in my boot...I need that part of van for other duties !!
I am a bit sorry I asked for info on here....as everyone seems to think I need to know this or that or some other GUMPH about stuff that really has nothing to do with what I actually asked about. So for those that may know about my query...please help me out here folks.....

Cheers Keith

Gee Keith, would've thought by now that you would realise for every well intended question there will always be at minimum one well meaning person
wanting to tell you what to do and how to do it.
My opinion.
Larry

-- Edited by Keith P on Tuesday 4th of June 2019 08:09:58 PM
Yep ...your right ...I should have known.....but what a bloody waste of time and energy hey. Still gets up my nose but ...and I bet I,m not the only one either. Will know better in the future...if there is a next time....

Cheers Keith

TheHeaths · Guru

I dont believe it!

Eaglemax · Guru

Quite sad actually.

gold dandelion · Senior Member

agree