Dutch Star roof inspection

[marc2912]

About to climb on my 2015 DS on friday to do my own roof inspection. This will be my first time up there since purchasing her a few months ago, inspectors and others have gone up but not I. I personally hate heights but figured it's probably good for me to go up there occasionally. Looking for some advise, i.e. where should I not step, obviously on skylights is a given but what about front and rear cap, should I stay way clear of those? anywhere else I shouldn't walk that isn't equipment, vent, windows, edge or roof?

What's the best way on? The DS has edges on the side to hide everything on the roof, should I not go up that route?

Thanks in advance for any pointers.

 

[Buly]

Marc, I m about 250 pounds and have been many times on the roof. It is very sturdy all around. I position the ladder between the kitchen and bedroom extended slides to give me some side protection from sliding left or right.
You can lean the ladder with contact points

to the RV wrapped in towel or foam.
Make sure the ladder sticks above the coach roof. It will help you while trying to get down..
Hope this helps?

 

[marc2912]

Marc, I m about 250 pounds and have been many times on the roof. It is very sturdy all around. I position the ladder between the kitchen and bedroom extended slides to give me some side protection from sliding left or right.
You can lean the ladder with contact points View attachment 12032to the RV wrapped in towel or foam.
Make sure the ladder sticks above the coach roof. It will help you while trying to get down..
Hope this helps?

That was very helpful actually so thank you.

 

[Sealyn]

Buly's advise would be mine also. I have a similar sized ladder and position it exactly the same with pool noodles at the contact points.

 

[marc2912]

Buly's advise would be mine also. I have a similar sized ladder and position it exactly the same with pool noodles at the contact points.

Funnily enough I had the same ladder delivered Monday , my pool noodles are blue though

 

[Neemer]

@Buly , what is the length of that ladder? I have had a 15.5 footer sitting in my Amazon cart for the last three months.

 

[Buly]

@Buly , what is the length of that ladder? I have had a 15.5 footer sitting in my Amazon cart for the last three months.

Let me check my Amazon history.. it was couple of years ago.

 

[Buly]

Just found it:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003KGBIKC/?tag=rvf01-20

That’s how I store it full time, but wrapped in a HD plastic bag.

 

[marc2912]

Just found it:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003KGBIKC/?tag=rvf01-20

View attachment 12034
That’s how I store it full time, but wrapped in a HD plastic bag.

That’s pretty smart, any trick btw on the generator slide, when I pull the latch and come to the nose I can’t get the panel to go up, I end up frustrated and just push on it to relatch it

 

[Buly]

Marc, I don't have the problem, but some people do. You may have to install a "hood release spring" like the car hoods have.
Just have to find the right one and a way to install it. Should not be a big problem. If you google "hood release spring" you wil see many different ones, some even with mounting brackets built in.
I had a different problem. After slamming the hood, the supporting steel rod fell of the holder and hooked into something. The hood panel would not open even an inch. In desperation I pulled with all my strength to open it few inches and reach inside to release it (bent the hell out of the steel rod). Now I made up a secondary catch for it. If it comes off, it will not fall down all the way.

 

[marc2912]

Marc, I don't have the problem, but some people do. You may have to install a "hood release spring" like the car hoods have.
Just have to find the right one and a way to install it. Should not be a big problem. If you google "hood release spring" you wil see many different ones, some even with mounting brackets built in.
I had a different problem. After slamming the hood, the supporting steel rod fell of the holder and hooked into something. The hood panel would not open even an inch. In desperation I pulled with all my strength to open it few inches and reach inside to release it (bent the hell out of the steel rod). Now I made up a secondary catch for it. If it comes off, it will not fall down all the way.

Good to know on the supporting rod. I'll look for a hood release, good idea.

 

[Webz]

Be sure to check the dicor under the side rails. Mine had a pencil lead leak that has been leaking for a long time (since new?) Newmar replaced the bedroom ceiling panels and the the sub roof plywood. Instead of plywood they used .060 thick aluminum sheet and riveted it to the aluminum rafters.