Can I walk on the roof?
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6322
Printed Date: 09 May 2025 at 12:55pm
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Topic: Can I walk on the roof?
Posted By: Jay in Maryland
Subject: Can I walk on the roof?
Date Posted: 28 May 2015 at 8:25am
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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!
------------- Jay r-pod179 05 Tacoma PreRunner |
Replies:
Posted By: jstoy
Date Posted: 28 May 2015 at 8:49am
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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. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 28 May 2015 at 9:13am
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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. ------------- |
Posted By: Jay in Maryland
Date Posted: 28 May 2015 at 9:31am
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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 |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 28 May 2015 at 9:32am
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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 |
Posted By: J&Jcf
Date Posted: 28 May 2015 at 6:10pm
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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 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 28 May 2015 at 9:53pm
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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 http://www.amazon.com/OxGord®-Aluminum-Telescopic-Ladder-Commercial/dp/B00VMXV5JY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1432864147&sr=8-3&keywords=telescoping+ladder+12.5 - 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 ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Jay in Maryland
Date Posted: 28 May 2015 at 10:25pm
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thats the coolest ladder ive ever seen! ------------- Jay r-pod179 05 Tacoma PreRunner |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 29 May 2015 at 9:39pm
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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 ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 29 May 2015 at 9:48pm
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That really is a cool device. Fortunately, I can stand on wife's shoulders and reach everything fine.
Fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 29 May 2015 at 10:43pm
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lol ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 30 May 2015 at 2:26pm
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Al
Date Posted: 31 May 2015 at 5:54am
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I have been on the roof of our 179. Am 5'5" 150lbs. I use a 2x6x10 to go from rail to rail. I figure its a little better than "walking" on the roof. Live right next door to a fertilizer plant, where fertilizer trucks are always dumping fertilizer in a hopper. So a lot of dust from fertilizer floating in the air. I stand on the 2x6x10 to wash the top. I do carry a 6 ft. Aluminum ladder in the Pod for setting up and washing at campgrounds. Have looked at purchasing a telescoping ladder on Amazon but already have the 6 ft. so really not necessary. ------------- A.J. |
Posted By: Nick
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2015 at 1:18pm
| I called Forest River before I went up to remove my A/C from my 178. They said the roof should hold 300lbs. I'm 225lbs, and the roof seemed quiet steady with me up there. I didn't however actually stand on it, I tried to distribute my weight by laying down when possible or kneeling. But it seems fairly sturdy. |
Posted By: movemaine
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2015 at 9:52am
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I would never stand on the roof. It only takes one weak point to cause a major issue. For me, it's not worth the risk. With a step ladder you should be able to reach everything.
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2015 at 10:58am
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Not a big deal, really. It is fully framed and designed for it. Personally I never stood on the roof because I didn't want to lose my balance at that height, and it wouldn't take much to slide off either end. At first I wasn't sure about the roof so I just used a step ladder, but you can't scrub the roof thoroughly that way and you can't do maintenance on the A/C. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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