Walkable roof option, would you buy it?

[Chamberman]

Something I was thinking about recently. It would be nice if you could hop up on the Escape roof and work on it, clean it, wax it, add mods, etc. without the need for added reinforcement underneath to spread your weight out.

Hypothetical question,

If Escape offered a custom option to fortify the roof of the trailer that you ordered would you be interested? Lets say that they were to make it walkable for one person at a time with a 225lb weight limit.

I'm guessing an extra thick fiberglass roof layer would be needed and probably some extra internal wood bracing. This means extra weight of course, I would imagine +100lbs added to the current trailer weights on average would probably cover it. It would very likely be much less added weight than that.

If Escape charged say $1k for this option would you buy it?

 

[Suregrip391]

It would be nice if they just made them like that already! As one that just got done climbing up and down my ladder 1000 times just to wash and scrub my roof I can see a benefit to this.

 

[Centex]

no, thank you

I've had no trepidation about doing things on my roof, both maintenance and mods, with a modicum of care to distribute loads. My trailer exhibits no ill-effect from those occasional events. I'm happy with my materials-efficient shell and structure, IMO it's a want looking for a need.

Given those are infrequent events, personally I'd rather not carry added structural weight full-time for the occasional benefit (if there really is any).

YMMV, No Worries!

 

[Ron in BC]

I've had no trepidation about doing things on my roof, both maintenance and mods, with a modicum of care to distribute loads.

I agree, care being the operative word. Some areas are much stronger than others. For example, on Gen 2s, the side by the awning is very strong. I routinely kneel on this side of the roof. Other areas I try to stay over an area that has a bulkhead under it. Definitely don't need extra weight to walk around. Any time that I'm doing anything on the roof I'm on my knees.

The only caveat is on Gen 1s without a stripper pole. I'd be more careful over the door and counter end area.

Ron

 

[JohnK-ESC]

I've had no trepidation about doing things on my roof, both maintenance and mods, with a modicum of care to distribute loads. My trailer exhibits no ill-effect from those occasional events. I'm happy with my materials-efficient shell and structure, IMO it's a want looking for a need.

Given those are infrequent events, personally I'd rather not carry added structural weight full-time for the occasional benefit (if there really is any).

YMMV, No Worries!

Ditto. I'd rather not carry the additional structural weight full time even though I wash and wax the roof of our 21C seasonally from the 5th step of a six foot step ladder. I also installed a bolted-through-the roof solar panel mostly from that ladder but did carefully distribute the load climbing atop the roof once during a forward solar panel installation.
John

 

[Centex]

..... even though I wash and wax the roof of our 21C seasonally from the 5th step of a six foot step ladder. ....

Take care, good sir!

One 'accessory' I've never regretted paying for is the generous-height and sure-footed Little Giant Ladder recommended by forum member Perry Butler long ago.

 

[occer]

I vote “No”
In the year we’ve owned it , only once has it come into play. When I needed to repair the emergency hatch mechanism. Hoping that was a one time thing. I have a moving blanket and section of 2” styrofoam insulation if the need ever arises again.

And I agree with the little giant ladder being a great ladder. Very solid feeling when climbing around on it.

 

[WillyB]

You just have to bring your inner Tom Cruise out tom play.

 

[Ron in BC]

One 'accessory' I've never regretted paying for is the generous-height and sure-footed Little Giant Ladder

My Little Giant ladder is definitely the most secure ladder of the several that I use. Heavier, yes, but avoids that sickening wobble that light weight ladders can have.

I made a small padded platform the bridges the top rungs. Easy on the knees. When I posted the photo several years ago I got all sorts of doom and gloom warnings that it was unsafe to kneel on the top rung. Good thing that those folks have never seen me climbing off a ladder 2 floors up onto a 12/12 pitched roof.

Ron

 

[Centex]

I made a small padded platform the bridges the top rungs. Easy on the knees. When I posted the photo several years ago I got all sorts of doom and gloom warnings that it was unsafe to kneel on the top rung.

I get it, No Worries, it's all in how the Little Giant can be set and locked with one side near vertical (against a 'wall) and the other side well-angled back from the 'wall'. It's a really well-designed, robust, and versatile tool, not a 'gimmick'.



IMO much better to have that somewhat heavy item available when needed at the home-base than extra weight on the trailer

 

[Iowa Dave]

Second story work

We have the Little Giant also. They are very stable. We use the ladder to wash and wax the Escape, for staining and maintaining the house, trimming trees and whenever a steady ladder is needed. I have three other ladders and am comfortable with heights. They do have limitations though, sometimes just not tall enough. Then I rent a lift.
Iowa Dave

 

[oldwave]

My current trailer has no issues with walking on the roof, though it comes with a weight cost.

 

[MrLynn]

I have a 10-ft aluminum stepladder, which I need to change the light bulbs in our A-frame Great Room. I can get up and reach a ways across the trailer roof if necessary. Had to install a fan cover on my Casita, but nothing on the Escape so far, except replacing a vent cover.

We finally gave the Escape a wash with RV Wash and Wax today, but I didn't bother with the ladder. "Who sees the roof?" sez my wife.

 

[HABBERDABBER]

Danger, Will Robinson

Ladders, for us "senior citizens" are near "widow makers". Maybe you have great skill on them, and maybe even a prehensile tail, but the statistics are not in our favor. I now cringe some when I mount a ladder. A friend of a friend died off one, my neighbor blew out a knee when the ladder slipped away from beneath him....anyways, my point is, any and all ladders come with risk, and the higher the age, the bigger the risk.

Stay low, go slow.

YMMV

 

[iamunique127]

My needs are met completely with ladders. I'd need a different device if I had to replace the A/C on the roof but I will cross that bridge if I come to it. I've recently cleaned and waxed the top of the trailer and replaced a vent cover and had no need to get up there. We use a cover in the off-season and the instructions always show to walk on the roof to put it on. A couple of ladders do it for that job, too.

Then again, I am not afraid of heights and feel comfortable working on ladders and roofs using some basic safety precautions. A lot of practice over the years helps. Please do not quote this statement to me if I fall off and break something, which is always a possibility.

 

[C&G in FL]

I would not pay extra for a walkable roof. I simply put plywood on it and use a kneeling pad when I have to: a) replace a MaxxFan operating mechanism, b) replace or work on the “escape hatch, or c) service/clean the A/C. I can manage all washing, waxing, and buffing by leaning over on a 10-foot step ladder. Wouldn’t spend the extra money and wouldn’t want the additional weight.

 

[Chamberman]

Well I'm surprised, It seems most people so far would not consider this option. I thought it'd be closer to a 50/50 ratio of folks for versus against it.

As far as added weight goes, I don't see where more than 40 - 80lbs of added weight would be needed to make a more robust roof. Is this a small amount of weight, probably not, but in the grand scheme of things it is not that great. It certainly wouldn't move the Escape trailers anywhere near Bigfoot or Oliver weight categories. Remember the smaller trailers would see less weight gain with this option, a 17 wouldn't see as much weight increase as a 21 or 23. It might only be 40 - 50lbs for a 17.

There are many owners buying multiple walls if not all walls reinforced in their trailers just in case they one day need to hang something there. Yes I know you can hang weight on the standard walls, you just have to find a stud. 3/4" plywood is hella heavy so this is a significant weight penalty for something that you don't know if you'll ever need.

There's also people up north buying the AC option just in case they ever travel south or they think that one day when they sell the trailer it'll be an expected option. So they haul it around on the trailer roof for 8 - 10yrs unused or maybe used once or twice until they sell the trailer. The common AC options weigh what 80 - 100lbs?

I have no doubt that people are buying expensive multi-battery Lithium options with solar panels when they know they'll always be staying at parks with hookups.

Adding weight for options that aren't absolutely necessary seems fairly common. I'm not using that to justify the expense or weight of the option I propose, but I do think it'd be popular for new buyers. Depending on the price and weight added I'd definitely consider it on a new build.

 

[MrLynn]

Chamberman, FWIW, if I were buying new, I'd definitely be interested in a more robust roof—not that I'd fancy getting up there, but it would be nice to know I could if necessary.

Note, BTW, that some sticky brands are advertising walkable roofs. But, of course, they recommend checking and servicing their roofs and seams annually.

 

[Viajante]

Well I'm surprised, It seems most people so far would not consider this option. I thought it'd be closer to a 50/50 ratio of folks for versus against it.

If a walkable roof were a $1000 option the great majority of buyers would get it, just like all the other options.

 

[C&G in FL]

If a walkable roof were a $1000 option the great majority of buyers would get it, just like all the other options.

Perhaps, but a sheet of plywood is less than one-tenth of that estimated cost. Years ago Reace told me if I needed to go up on the roof for anything, using plywood to distribute the weight would be adequate protection.