Keeping the roof clean

[Richard Cooper]

My coach does not have a rear ladder installed.  Why, I don't know.  I don't recall ever seeing a coach with no ladder unless a Prevost or similar.

Should I try to get one installed or should I buy a collapsible ladder?  It looks like I am always adding things to my basement and will get to the point that nothing will fit anymore.

[neil omalley]

Hi Richard: Before I had my'05 Thunder I had an 01 Patriot with no ladder.  I was told _I think in jest- that "if you could afford a Beaver ,the company did not want you on the roof'." . I had one put on at a rally when Monaco still did those things for us.  I want to say it cost me about $600 - without the labor which as I said was provided.  I'm rally NOT sure why they didn't put one on but if you decide to do so be aware whoever mounts it for you MUST go into a substantial base behind he outer skin of the coach ( for reasons to obvious to mention ). I find the ladder a nice addition but truth be told a sturdy ladder -for the number of times you'll be up there - would be sufficient.

[Edward Buker]

I think a ladder built for the coach and installed properly using the glassed in reinforcements as screw anchor points (need to sort out which side of the rear cap they were installed on) is required if you are ever going to go up on the roof for the many maintenance items or roof cleaning that is necessary for these coaches.

The transition from a ladder of any kind without some hand rails to hang onto is asking for trouble as we get older. It is a 12 foot drop onto pavement. Beaver Coach Sales can order one and install it as well as Alliance coach in Florida I would assume. The problem I see of not having a ladder, is at some point it may be a necessity to go up on the roof while traveling and without one you are stuck. The only ladder I would make a transition from, to the RV roof would be one long enough to go up and by the roof, so you could step off upright.  The ladder that is long enough to go beyond the roof would likely not store well in the coach.

My coach did not have a ladder when we bought it but is one of the first things we added. We added a half ladder and I carry a folding collapsable 7 ft step ladder to make the transition and for other chores. The full length permanent coach fold down ladders are more convenient and a bit safer yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmsOd7atirI

Later Ed

[Edward Buker]

It has been over two years since I painted my coach roof and there has been no signs of any problems with the Rustoleum Marine Deck Paint finish. It still has good gloss, and shows no signs of any pealing or delamination issues. It is inexpensive, durable, and stops roof UV deterioration as well as the shedding of oxidized gel coat particles. I would go the same route if I had to do it over again...

Later Ed

[Joel Ashley]

I have occasion to get on the roof quite regularly.  From cleaning slideout awnings of dirt or snow and ice to cleaning the roof, from servicing roof vents to checking sealant condition, from air conditioner maintenance to tying up a failed main Carefree awning;  I sure wouldn't want to haul around a tall enough ladder to accomplish it.  Because of its length, I'd have to store it on the roof.  HA!   No one would have to hold onto your ladder for safety if it's mounted to the coach.

I'd shop around for the best deal on a full length ladder.  Depending on your engine access door and such, if you can go with one that double-folds at the bottom like ours does (the one Ed refers to) you'll be happy.  Our old coach had a non-folding ladder down the passenger side rear, and a short-tongued boat trailer's winch handle got into it on a sharp turn once.  

As Neil says, though, make absolutely certain it is installed by someone that understands the blocking required behind the rear cap, and proper roof sealant application where the top rails mount.  Even then, you have to check escutcheon screws regularly to make sure they stay snug and corrosion-free.  A loose screw can allow fiberglass-cracking movement while your weight is on it, and a screw that's too tight can spider crack as well.  Any of the service outfits in Bend will have the know-how.

Incidentally, as to your original question, once every couple of years I've cleaned the roof well, and either orbiter-applied Maguiar's wax as per Monaco's recommendation, or wiped on a coat of Aerospace 303 Protectant, both of which retard UV oxidation, albeit to a limited degree.  If I did it annually, it would be easier to clean each time;  the black mildew-like stains are a lot of work to remove by year 2.  The cleaning is the time and energy consuming hard part, and the protectant application is relatively easy.  Eventually I'll probably follow Ed's protocall, but so far our roof, in the weather 365/24/7, is doing pretty good after 6 years.

Joel

[Richard Cooper]

My coach did not have a ladder when we bought it but is one of the first things we added. We added a half ladder and I carry a folding collapsable 7 ft step ladder to make the transition and for other chores. The full length permanent coach fold down ladders are more convenient and a bit safer yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmsOd7atirI

Later Ed

That is a clever ladder, but only 7 ft --- this one is 12-1/2 ft.  What do you think of it for a motorhome?

http://www.amazon.com/Xtend-Climb-770P-Telescoping-12-5-Foot/dp/B000JIL0WU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pdT1_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=6F6PP94A936Z&coliid=IHADIQCF23P04

[Dick Simonis]

I have one the those that I bought for the TT and carried it in the pickup bed.  Now with the MH and it's built-in ladder I picked up a folding one from Costco that is more of a stepladder ( it does make a 13' extension is so desired) to do cleaning and etc.  I didn't like the idea of resting a ladder against the coach side for fear off scratches and etc/

I will admit the telescoping one is fantastic and now use it at the house in lieu of the old one.

[Keith Oliver]

Like Neil and Richard, I am appalled at the expense some go to treating the roof, which doesn't look like it needs anything more than a scrub a couple of times a year.  I just scrubbed mine, and although it is now 14 years old, it doesn't look like anything more is needed.  Obviously, my coach hasn't had enough UV damage to cause chalking of the gel-coat, so I am going to do nothing more than keep it clean.

As for Mop-n-Glow, a friend of mine talked me into using it on the hull (topsides) of my boat, principally to fight off the yellow stain at the bow.  I tried it and it worked well for the first season.  When I re-did it for the next season, it started to look streaky, and so I never put any more on.  After a couple of years it wasn't fighting the yellow any more, but its streaks and runs (this is a vertical or reverse sloped surface) had gone grey, so looked bad, if you got close enough for an inspection.  Lots of elbow grease to get it off.  So after that experience, I would't expect it to fail to keep the chalking under control, but I would expect it to look poor after a few re-coatings.

[Edward Buker]

Richard,

That ladder is probably as tall as you can get in a compact design. I do not see a safe way to go up that ladder and get on and off the roof. It is probably fine for reaching the roof from an edge while on the ladder as well as doing sidewall mainetnance. I have used one of those ladders with the collapsable design like in your link but it did not lock and extend well without messing around with it. Could have just been the one I was using.

Keith,

The expense for the marine deck paint system which took just three quarts was under $100 dollars. It will add years of life to the gelcoat and roof structure fiberglass. Beyond that it is more reflective and sheds dirt better, so it is easier to clean and maintain and best of all no streaks. I suspect that you may have gotten lucky with the original gelcoat on your coach roof or you have spent little time with your coach in harsh sunlight. For whatever reason some gelcoat holds up much better than others and I have seen that variation on boats.

I certainly would not be a candidate for one of these expensive multi coat roof treatments either, but I think for the $100, this roof paint was one of the best coach improvements one could make for the minimal expense.

Later Ed

[Joel Ashley]

That telescoping ladder design seems ideal because of its storability.  But beware.  A couple of years back a consumer reporting agency deemed it one of the least safe ladders.  I can't say more than that because I don't remember the details.  I do recall, however, the article turned me off to a ladder I'd been seriously considering.

Instead I have a 6 foot version of the one Ed linked to.  I only wish it was the 7 footer.  But neither one will get you safely on the roof; for that you need a regular RV roof ladder like has been discussed previously.   I think the answer to your original question, Richard, "Should I try to get one installed or should I buy a collapsible ladder?  It looks like I am always adding things to my basement and will get to the point that nothing will fit anymore", is you should get both;  the collapsible won't safely get you on the roof, but it will let you work on high stuff between it and the ground.  As a motor home owner, you'll find you'll need access to both areas.

Joel

[Gerald Farris]

Richard,
Yes all Beavers since the late 80s have a fiberglass roof. The cost to have the roof painted will depend on what kind of paint you use,and whether or not you paint it yourself.

Gerald

[Jeremy Parrett]

My Marquis does not have a roof ladder installed.  Instead, I use an extension ladder bought at Walmart.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/14894392?adid=22222222227009788668&wmlspartner=wlpa&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=&wl3=13689186790&wl4=&wl5=pla&veh=sem
 It is 2x 8 ft sections 14 feet long fully extended.  I made two 12 inch long aluminum 1 inch square tubing support bars. Threaded rod with nylok nuts are secured through two convenient holes found in the basement cross  beams above the passenger side storage areas ,one to the front and one to the rear. The two pre drilled square tubing support bars are then used with wing nuts under the ladder to clamp it up against the support beams.  It can be slid into the basement from the rear by one person and clamped up to the beams in 5 minutes.  It is way stronger than any dinky rear roof ladder I have ever seen on an RV.  I use two noodles slit on one side fitted over the side of the ladder that rests on the roof radius.  A nylon line attached to the basement beam secures the foot of the ladder and I tie the top off using one of the predrilled holes in the gutter.........until I can come up with a better idea, like a gutter clamp.  There is a fitting available that goes over the upper ends of the ladder, curving up over, making it easy to get onto and off the roof.  Pics to follow.

[Richard Cooper]

Yes, very interested in your pics.  Sounds very clever.

Those like myself who have no ladder on the coach -- thing I've found about CG's is that the people in them are kind and gracious and will lend you their ladder.  I don't think you always have to have everything with you at all times.  I prefer not to borrow anything usually, but friends are easily made in CG's.