So, what does your MH roof look like..?

[The Saints]

And more to the point, how do you know..

We're new to this motor home lark and were wondering about what stuff we need to buy to make life a little easier. We'll be pretty much living in it for 8-9 months a year, around central Europe.

We've used a caravan for many years, so there's lots of things that can be easily transferred.

I'm not looking for general accessory ideas, I just want to know if any of you live aboards carry around a collapsible ladder to gain access to the roof. I'm thinking of cleaning purposes and on the (hopefully) odd occasion for repairs/maintenance.

If you do carry such a thing, any recommendations please..?

 

[Carpmart]

Mines filthy, as usual!


PS: we carry a collapsible ladder… just need to use it! Cheap ladders are a false economy!

 

[jerryz]

Collapsible ladders are very dangerous , many companies and worksites ban them , they can collapse even when LOCKED ,,, I have seen it happen 5 times 3 with very serious injuries and 2 with minor ones and H&S investigations found the locking mechanisms were saying locked but not locking ,, and these were not cheap Chinese ladders but EU made or American made ....

 

[David M]

I’ve just moved on, to my third motorhome. The first two had ladders up the back so I was able to climb onto the roof to wash it.
This third one doesn’t, so (when at home) I use a very tall pair of stepladders to get me up there. I’ll wash it before I go away, but I’m never away for more than a month, so will let it get dirty while away!

If you don’t want to get ON to the roof, but just wash it, you can use an extendable washing brush, provided that you can get high enough to see above the edge. Perhaps a medium-sized stepladder (that will fit in the garage) will allow that.

 

[jumar]

Our MH roof is terrible. But its going to look better.... why?
Well, old rooflights, Sat dish and TV Antenna have all been removed....a more uncluttered look is what I am trying to achieve...everything has changed and a fresher look is in progress...
I do carry a collapsible ladder..how else can I gain access..I will clean it eventually when all the work has been finished...not easy task... don't do it often to be honest..

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

Collapsible ladders are very dangerous , many companies and worksites ban them , they can collapse even when LOCKED ,,, I have seen it happen 5 times 3 with very serious injuries and 2 with minor ones and H&S investigations found the locking mechanisms were saying locked but not locking ,, and these were not cheap Chinese ladders but EU made or American made ....

Not forgetting, heavy, cumbersome, and finger entrapment issue as well. A small extending ladder is better, and lighter. I lanyard one to the inner face of our bike rack, less room for stowaways then as well.
Mike.

 

[Jake Royd]

Clean it then put some Wet & Forget on it.
It will keep green algae and the like away

 

[WESTY66]

Or being as you’re living in it 8-9 months of year, just cover it in solar

 

[G1969]

Or being as you’re living in it 8-9 months of year, just cover it in solar
View attachment 1029909

Agree

 

[WESTY66]

Agree
View attachment 1030030

You need to watch the dish doesn’t shade the panels

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[G1969]

You need to watch the dish doesn’t shade the panels

I know , I might have to drill holes in it to make it semi transparent. I think the way Nigel has wired these up takes into account the potential for this ( ie series / parallel) don’t ask me what’s what though

 

[WESTY66]

I know , I might have to drill holes in it to make it semi transparent. I think the way Nigel has wired these up takes into account the potential for this ( ie series / parallel) don’t ask me what’s what though

I also think that aircon unit is taking the space of a panel……….


I’ll swap u a panel for it

 

[Flairy]

All done over 24 years ago

 

[Nirvanauk]

Or being as you’re living in it 8-9 months of year, just cover it in solar
View attachment 1029909

I wonder how much solar is on that? Any ideas guys?

 

[G1969]

I wonder how much solar is on that? Any ideas guys?

I know

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[WESTY66]

I know

I’ll let it run for an hour or so, see if anyone takes up Nirvanauk challenge

 

[bigtwin]

I wonder how much solar is on that? Any ideas guys?

Got to be close to 1kW.

Ian

 

[The Saints]

Think we've got to admit, Flairy's roof has to be in contention for the cleanest roof in the history of motorhomes.. After 24 years too.!!!

Anyway, back onto topic.

I have a step ladder but thought a collapsible would be lighter. Maybe I'll weigh it and decide.

But it seems I'm not being too anal to carry one aboard.

Thanks for the replies...

 

[WESTY66]

Think we've got to admit, Flairy's roof has to be in contention for the cleanest roof in the history of motorhomes.. After 24 years too.!!!

Anyway, back onto topic.

I have a step ladder but thought a collapsible would be lighter. Maybe I'll weigh it and decide.

But it seems I'm not being too anal to carry one aboard.

Thanks for the replies...

You think Flairy roof clean??? You should see the inside, it’s like a time warp, it’s absolutely beautiful, and very cosy

 

[Flairy]

Inside the time warp need more solar and Lithuim but due to money I’ll soldier on.

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[Carpmart]

Agree
View attachment 1030030

Did I see this roof on the latest YouTube from Off Grid?

 

[G1969]

Did I see this roof on the latest YouTube from Off Grid?

Yes

 

[Gary S]

Did I see this roof on the latest YouTube from Off Grid?

I was thinking the same - that's some serious solar and 4 batteries too!

 

[The Saints]

Did I see this roof on the latest YouTube from Off Grid?

Which channel is this please...?

 

[KASPAR]

Which channel is this please...?

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=offgrid+power+solutions

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[G1969]

I was thinking the same - that's some serious solar and 4 batteries too!

Just giving first test today and currently circa 400w(27amps) so happy with this and will keep the fridge working. I ran the battery down overnight keeping the heating on low to stop freezing- so so far so good.

 

[InvictaMoto]

And more to the point, how do you know..

I simply look out of the bedroom window.... If I had a drone I could fly that for a close up bombing run over it...

 

[the1andonly]

And more to the point, how do you know..

Just look out of stairs window. Cleaning acess fro flat roof im stood on to take this picture.

 

[fred_jb]

We are a bit constrained by the limited roof space on our 5.4m van, but currently have an air-conditioning unit which replaced the rear roof vent, and 450W of solar, plus a Starlink Mini

The solar consists of 2 x 200W panels feeding the 300Ah lithium battery and a 50W panel feeding the starter battery.

In order to fit the second 200W panel I had to remove the TV aerial, and replace the bathroom roof vent with a lower profile unit which opens far enough under the panel for its fan to be usable.

 

[The Saints]

Just look out of stairs window. Cleaning acess fro flat roof im stood on to take this picture.View attachment 1030410

Is that an extendable ladder I see at the rear..?