Can I walk on the roof?

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My model 179 is a few months old  and one thing I have been wondering about, and the more I ponder it the less clue I have to an answer is this: is it OK to walk on the roof of an r-pod? Is it designed for that? If not, how does one check the seals around openings or work on the AC.
A related question, further revealing my general rv-ing ignorance -when people head out on extended trips, -is it normal to bring a ladder with you (I was thinking I might need it for working with the r-dome track). 

thanks!

I am adding the lines below a week or so after the initial post above, -a summary of the responses that followed-

One person said Forest River told him the r-pod roof supports up to 300lbs, and several people have been on there roofs without issue.

Everyone agrees you can reach most things from a ladder and should avoid going on top if you can. 

If you must go on the r-pod roof its probably a good idea to distribute your weight by sitting, being on all fours, or using a 2x10 or 2x12 long enough to span slightly over each side of the roof.

Ladders are often available from campground managers, and most people travel with at least a step ladder.

 It all seems obvious in hind sight, -Thanks to everyone!

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Jay in Maryland Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 Feb 2015 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 30	Topic: Can I walk on the roof? Posted: 28 May 2015 at 8:25am
	My model 179 is a few months old and one thing I have been wondering about, and the more I ponder it the less clue I have to an answer is this: is it OK to walk on the roof of an r-pod? Is it designed for that? If not, how does one check the seals around openings or work on the AC. A related question, further revealing my general rv-ing ignorance -when people head out on extended trips, -is it normal to bring a ladder with you (I was thinking I might need it for working with the r-dome track). thanks! I am adding the lines below a week or so after the initial post above, -a summary of the responses that followed- One person said Forest River told him the r-pod roof supports up to 300lbs, and several people have been on there roofs without issue. Everyone agrees you can reach most things from a ladder and should avoid going on top if you can. If you must go on the r-pod roof its probably a good idea to distribute your weight by sitting, being on all fours, or using a 2x10 or 2x12 long enough to span slightly over each side of the roof. Ladders are often available from campground managers, and most people travel with at least a step ladder. It all seems obvious in hind sight, -Thanks to everyone!
	Jay r-pod179 05 Tacoma PreRunner

jstoy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21 Apr 2015 Location: Glenside pa Online Status: Offline Posts: 20	Posted: 28 May 2015 at 8:49am
	I too have the question about the roof so will be interested in a response. I bought an inexpensive light weight 2 step stool from home depot that I bring along. Fits nicely in the underneath storage of my 177. Use it to put up the dome, then it doubles as a place to put the water jugs inside the dome.

furpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128	Posted: 28 May 2015 at 9:13am
	I have been on my roof. I didn't jump up and down, but it wasn't an issue. I can pretty much reach everything I need to do from a ladder. We carry a small step stool, 3 steps, for use as needed.

Jay in Maryland Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 Feb 2015 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 30	Posted: 28 May 2015 at 9:31am
	thxs furpod. i guess what spurred my concerns was that i saw a video someone posted on you tube showing r-pod construction. It did not show the roof construction explicitly, but it looked as if the sides and top were one piece of 1/8" fiberglass laminated on 3/4" foam, with some aluminum framing inside. I was concerned at 225lbs I might not need to jump up and down to go right thru. If I can reach everything from a ladder, I'll stay on it.... thx jsty for the step ladder tip /storage box idea, i will use it..
	Jay r-pod179 05 Tacoma PreRunner

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4518	Posted: 28 May 2015 at 9:32am
	I have not been on the roof of our pod, I can reach everything I need to from a ladder. We too carry a small 3 step stool which covers what we need. If we need anything more, you can usually borrow a ladder from the campground maintenance people.
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

J&Jcf Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 17 Aug 2014 Location: central Florida Online Status: Offline Posts: 90	Posted: 28 May 2015 at 6:10pm
	I use a upside down 5 gallon bucket as a step stool for messing with rdome as well as disposing of waste water ( lid ) multiple uses.
	J. - 2011 rpod 171

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 28 May 2015 at 9:53pm
	No problem being on the roof, although I always stayed seated or on my knees. We kept a 2 step folding stool in the pod, and just bought one of these for our Salem. A great design for a camper - fairly lightweight, compact, but enough length to get on the roof. My daughter also uses it half-extended to get into the top bunk.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Jay in Maryland Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 Feb 2015 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 30	Posted: 28 May 2015 at 10:25pm
	thats the coolest ladder ive ever seen!
	Jay r-pod179 05 Tacoma PreRunner

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 29 May 2015 at 9:39pm
	Pretty dang ingenious. A shame they don't make a 40-footer so I can ditch my old-school extension ladder. But, to get that high the thing would probably weigh more and be huge at the bottom.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

fwunder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676	Posted: 29 May 2015 at 9:48pm
	That really is a cool device. Fortunately, I can stand on wife's shoulders and reach everything fine. Fred
	2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!