Keeping it clean.

[manwiththepsychoGPS]

I have a 2003 Roller Team Autoroller 3 on a Fiat Ducato. The roof needs a good clean. Is it safe to stand on the roof. I'm 6ft and over 16st. There are no roof racks etc.

If standing on the roof is out, any other suggestions?

Thanks in anticipation.

Colin

[lennyhb]

I always walk on the roof of my Hymer but I am 4 stone lighter. I would think it would be OK if you put something on the roof to spread the load. I would use a piece of ply with some high density foam glued to it, you would need 2 pieces otherwise you won't be able to move about.

 

 

[Mel B]

manwiththepsychoGPS - 2010-11-22 9:57 PM

 

I have a 2003 Roller Team Autoroller 3 on a Fiat Ducato. The roof needs a good clean. Is it safe to stand on the roof. I'm 6ft and over 16st. There are no roof racks etc.

If standing on the roof is out, any other suggestions?

Thanks in anticipation.

Colin

 

In a word - no! You have no way of knowing for sure that it take your weight so it is better not to risk it. Quite a apart from the inury you could do to yourself if it gave way, you'd cause serious damage to your motorhome!

 

If you haven't got a 'proper' long handled brush, instead why not use a normal yard brush (not the really 'rough' bristle type though) and a bucket of soapy water. I assume you've already got suitable ladders to safely get up there anyway, so give the roof a good soaking with the soapy water and leave it for a while to soften the muck, then give it a good 'brushing' from each side, rinse with hose pipe and repeat if necessary. You can also use a squeegy mop (flat sponge head) to 'dry' it off if you want.

[Brian Kirby]

If you have a manual, it may tell you whether there is a weight limit for roof loads.  Some manufacturers insist the roof is plated of a roof rack is installed.  Generally, this would only be apparent from an options brochure.  You could try contacting the UK agents for Roller Team to see if they know whether the roof is constructed to take occasional foot traffic.  I believe most German vans are, but would not rely on that for a vans like Roller Team, that tend to be built down to a price.  Cracking a roof bearer would be very close to terminal (at least for the van roof), and I'm not sure how your insurer would react if you said you were walking on it at the time!

If in doubt, or you can't get factual guidance, do as Mel suggests, and use one of those extendable brushes that take a hose attachment, from suitable steps.  Halfords for the brush, and B&Q have a good range of reasonably sturdy, and quite versatile, steps at present. 

[Keithl]

manwiththepsychoGPS - 2010-11-22 9:57 PM

If standing on the roof is out, any other suggestions?

Thanks in anticipation.

Colin

 

Hi Colin,

 

To answer this part of your question have a look at All Terrain Ladders.

This would be far safer than balancing on steps or even leaning a ladder against your pride and joy and they come in a choice of heights.

 

Keith.

 

Edit, Or fit a pair of Ankalads to an ordinary extension ladder, it works out a lot cheaper (and it's what I use) :-D

[manwiththepsychoGPS]

Thanks for the replies.

Some conflicting advice, so I'll be doing some research, as suggested, before I set foot on the roof. The all terrain ladders look great. However at around £300, I'm not that keen on a clean roof. B-)

It looks like a trip to B&Q for the log handled brush could be in order.

Regards

Colin

[flicka]

Colin

You may find one of these useful & safer than ladders.

http://www.ladderstore.com/ladder-deck-system-p-1631.html

[manwiththepsychoGPS]

The price looks better that the Terrain Ladders.

Could be the answer

Thanks again.

Colin

[Guest Peter James]

I use a professional long handled brush, just like a sweeping brush, that you can connect a hosepipe to the top of the handle and the water squirts out through the bristles. Used for washing coaches and HGVs. Wonderful tool. The long handle keeps you out of the way of the mucky water and makes very light work of washing a motorhome. The handle is a one piece metal tube about 6 foot long. no flimsy plastic sliding joints to leak and crack.

I can walk on the van roof because its steel, I wouldn't risk walking on a coach built plastic/fibreglass roof that could crack. But, with this tool, I still find it easier to wash the roof standing on a tall wide based stepladder at the side of the van.

[manwiththepsychoGPS]

Dear peter,

Thanks for the info. I've got a long handles brush now and it is doing the job OK. However, I'd like to be able to get on the roof and clean round the roof lights and get into those hard to get at little places. Looks like flicka's ladder system could be the answer. If Santa plays along.

Regards

Colin

[Guest Peter James]

I see Netto have 2 different sorts of platform ladders in Thursdays 2nd December special offers @ £60 each

[manwiththepsychoGPS]

Looking.

 

[nuevoboy]

I spent a couple of hours cleaning the 'van today using an old car wash kit with the hand held brush that holds the shampoo.

It's on its last legs and I'm looking to buy a long handled replacement jobby.

I saw one in a caravan accessory showroom recently but the brush end was huge and would have difficulty getting into many places.

I've also been warned off some with very stiff bristles that can damage paintwork.

Anyone recommend any particular model please?

As an aside, I'm also thinking of getting a pressure washer which seem to have the above attachments. Can one reduce the pressure to wash the 'van safely without the risk of disturbing sealant etc?

[LordThornber]

Perhaps you can reduce the pressure on the upper end of pressure washer models but not on your average Joe Bloggs one you can't.

 

As for a long handled brush doing any damage, well I've used one for years and it's been fine. That said, they are unwieldy and I agree that they can be hard to get into corners.

 

I'm on my 2nd one now and both have just been bought from wherever was cheapest, no need in my opinion to splash out (pun intended).

 

I use an ordinary sponge to do the hard to reach bits whilst I stand on a wall, which is fine if you have the wall...

 

Martyn

[Guest Peter James]

A brush is much kinder to paintwork than a cloth or sponge because scratchy dirt and grit doesn't stay on the surface of a brush like it does with a cloth. A cloth or sponge tends to hold the grit on the surface much more, like sandpaper.

Even better when the brush has plenty of water flowing through it to wash the grit away.

A stiff brush may still be fine if its the right type because the stiffness derives from the thickness of the bristles, as much of the hardness of them. Thick soft bristles won't scratch.

[Mel B]

What about attaching a kitchen washing-up brush (ie 6 inch handle with brush part on one end) and attach it (gaffer tape) to the end of an old brush or mop handle, you can then use this to get into the awkward little corners etc and the brush shouldn't do any damage at all, then a quick rinse over and you're sorted.

[nuevoboy]

Hi folks, I did use a type of kitchen brush to get into the awkward bits anyway (around bike rack mounts and recessed lighting areas).

I worked off a step ladder to do the high bits (as I haven't got a convenient wall!) but as I need a new brush anyway, I thought I'd ask about the long handled ones that connect up to hoses, to make life a bit easier (although when I had to use one at work to clean my van, I did find it unwieldy and back-aching).

When's Bob-a-job week? :D

[Keithl]

Hi Nuevoboy,

 

I bought a long handled brush from CAK Tanks at the NEC a couple of years ago and like you found it very unwieldy with a hose attached. It also leaked very badly from the hose connection and the hose kept falling off.

I now use it simply as an extending brush and dip it into a washing up bowl of car shampoo placed conveniently either on the MH roof or on the ground to wash the sides. I find a bowl is better than a bucket as the brush fits into a bowl where it wouldn't fit in a bucket. I then hose off the suds using a garden spray nozzle, job done.

 

Keith.

[LordThornber]

Keithl - 2010-12-10 8:46 PM

 

Hi Nuevoboy,

 

I bought a long handled brush from CAK Tanks at the NEC a couple of years ago and like you found it very unwieldy with a hose attached. It also leaked very badly from the hose connection and the hose kept falling off.

I now use it simply as an extending brush and dip it into a washing up bowl of car shampoo placed conveniently either on the MH roof or on the ground to wash the sides. I find a bowl is better than a bucket as the brush fits into a bowl where it wouldn't fit in a bucket. I then hose

 

Keith.

 

Just the same as me, a doddle 8-)

 

Martyn

[PJay]

We do the same. Have a "U" shaped bucket, (usually come with a mop squeezey attachment), find that the long mop will fit into that.

[nuevoboy]

Good ideas, thanks.

I think I'll look for a brush that is more or less "in line" with the long handle as I think that would be easier to manoeuvre. The ones I have seen so far have been more broom shaped and although would probably cover a flat area easier, I think an in line one would do a better job.

And Santa could probably get in down the chimney easier too. ;-)

[malc d]

One point that does not appear to have been mentioned above.

 

I asked a manufacturer ( at the NEC show ) about walking on the roof of a panel van to clean it.

I was told it was unwise because if the roof flexes at all it could easily damage the seals around roof vents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[eljay]

For cleaning around the "fiddly" bits on the roof I squeeze head and shoulders though the roof lights / vents. The only area which is still difficult to reach is the left side of the middle of the "van" as there is no convenient roof light through which to reach.

 

J

[nuevoboy]

eljay - 2010-12-16 6:55 AM

 

For cleaning around the "fiddly" bits on the roof I squeeze head and shoulders though the roof lights / vents. The only area which is still difficult to reach is the left side of the middle of the "van" as there is no convenient roof light through which to reach.

 

J

 

So, not only is your roof clean but it doesn't have dandruff. *-)

Sorry, couldn't resist that one.

Actually, it looks like mine has at the moment, as we've just had a hail storm.

I take it, you're either not as vertically challenged as myself,

or you use some sort of steps within the 'van to poke your head through.

Yet another good idea though, thanks.

[Colin Leake]

On our present Rapido you can stand on the flat section of the roof, which has a special none slip finish, but not the curved section at the front. You would need to check the position with the manufacturers or importers of your Motorhome but I suspect that on most Motorhomes you can stand on the roof and I have certainly seen many owners doing this. After all most offer a roof ladder as standard which would be a little pointless if you could not stand on the roof! If you can do be careful if it does not have a none slip surface as gloss fibreglass can be very slippery in the wet.