Can I walk on my Jayco roof? (11 tips to stay safe)

By Elaine Knight
Page last updated: 09/09/2022 | Next review date: 09/09/2024
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Elaine Knight
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In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Can I walk on my Jayco roof? We will tell you what are the Jayco models that allow you to climb their roof and how to stay safe while cleaning or maintaining your caravan’s roof. 

Can I walk on my Jayco roof?

Although we do not recommend it, you can walk on the roof of the following Jayco travel trailers, Class C and Class A motorhomes: 

  • Jayco Jay Feather
  • Jayco White Hawk
  • Jayco Jay Flight
  • Jayco Redhawk
  • Jayco Redhawk SE
  • Jayco Redhawk Prestige
  • Jayco Alante
  • Jayco Precept.

The reason you could walk on the roof of these Jayco models is that they come fitted with a ladder, which means that they were built with the idea that someone will climb on the roof either to clean or repair it. The roof has extra support built-in and it should be safe for you to walk on it.

The best thing to do is call a Jayco representative or authorised deal and ask if it is safe to walk on your Jayco roof. If the manufacturer is unable to tell you the weight limit on the roof, then it’s better not to risk it.

Cleaning the roof of your Jayco

Most people who get on their caravan do so to clean the roof or to do maintenance or to fix something. Few are those who go there for pleasure, but it can happen, in particular, to take a picture. Some even go so far as to use the roof as a terrace …

Remember that every time you step on the roof you run the risk of damaging it. If you stay upright, all of your weight will be concentrated in two points, under your feet. You may therefore sink the roof if you walk on a place without reinforcement.

A ladder or a stepladder should be high enough to clean the roof of your caravan. Besides, with a pressure washer, you can reach anywhere on the roof. Nevertheless, be careful about the pressure you send. Do not use too much pressure and keep a good spray distance.

But if you still want to get on your roof, keep it as short as possible. First, assemble the accessories you need, I am thinking of a brush, a broom or a blower. If after removing leaves and twigs you want to wet the roof, be very careful because the surface will be slippery. Stay on your ladder, stay safe.

A pro tip is to remember to walk on the strongest areas of your Jayco roof. The strongest part of the caravan roof is actually just above the cell walls. This is obviously where the roof has the most support. The further you move towards the centre, the more likely you are to feel the roof buckle under your weight.

So I advise you to stay at the edge of the roof, you should be able to reach the whole roof with a broom or a high-pressure lance.

Precautions to follow if climbing a Jayco roof

The main goal is obviously to avoid a bad fall, which can happen faster than you think. But it is also to avoid damaging the roof.

  1. Distribute your weight on the roof: I think the best thing you can do to be safe from damage is to lay a plywood board across the roof so you can walk on it and not on the roof surface itself. A 4 x 2-meter board should suffice. You can mount it by sliding it on the ladder posts.
  1. Crawl instead of walking: I mentioned the fact that the perimeter of the roof is the strongest. It is best to stay in this area. You can kneel down to distribute your weight between your hands and knees (that’s 4 points), or better, you can go crawling. Your mass is thus better distributed by not simply resting in 2 points.
  1.  Never walk on a wet roof: Obviously, a camping roof is particularly slippery when wet! Especially if it’s fibreglass. So never walk on a wet roof!
  1.  Don’t lean to the side: If you need to work on the top of the walls of the motorhome, don’t do it from the roof, use a ladder rather than leaning to the side.
  1. Don’t go upstairs after a meal: Why? Because chances are you’ve had a drink or two of alcohol.
  1. Never move backwards on a motorhome roof! It’s déjà vu, don’t do it! This is the best way to not see where you are heading.
  1. Avoid walking on or near roof installations: As discussed above, the roof is weak wherever it has been cut for an accessory to be installed, so avoid walking on or around the air conditioner, skylights, skylights, or any installation.
  1.  Walk slowly and feel the places less rigid: If you have an old RV or a bad roof, take it slowly and use your weight to detect and test for weak spots before you fully shift your mass.
  1. Use the caravan’s roof ladder to climb: If there is a roof ladder, you don’t have to look around for a way to climb, that’s where you have to go.
  1. Use your ladder or stepladder to climb: If your motorhome is not equipped with an original ladder, take your ladder. Protect the angle under the ladder with a blanket and have someone block the legs and hold the ladder.
  1. If you are alone, wait until a partner joins you. This way if something bad does happen, at least you’ll get help in time.

Conclusions

Climbing and walking on the roof of your Jayco can be dangerous, and shouldn’t be done unless you have to. 

Some Jayco models have a built-in ladder to allow this. They are not there to look pretty. They allow you to go up to ensure the maintenance of the roof on an occasional basis. If you know the allowable weight, use common sense, and follow the above safety tips, you will be safe and will not damage the roof of your Jayco caravan.

Please let us know if you have any comments or questions on the content. 

FAQ on Can I walk on my Jayco roof?

How to waterproof the roof of a caravan?

To waterproof the roof of a caravan, you can apply a diluted undercoat of waterproofing resin, and let it dry for 6 hours. Apply a first pure layer of waterproofing resin, and leave it to dry for 6 hours; apply a second pure layer of waterproofing resin and leave it for 24  hours.

How to repair the roof of a motorhome?

To repair the roof of a motorhome, you must fit a new layer of fibreglass and a topcoat, for example, lacquer or topcoat. If the roof of your aluminium motorhome has leaked on the seals, it is impossible to redo the seams.

How to clean the roof of your motorhome?

To clean  the roof of your motorhome, you must:

  1. Wet the vehicle with a jet of water.
  2. Apply defoamer or antifungal if necessary, clean with a brush and rinse.
  3. Mix the detergent with water in a bucket.
  4. Dip the brush or sponge into the product and clean the roof.

Can you walk on a fibreglass RV roof?

You can walk on a fibreglass RV roof, as it is one of the strongest materials. However be careful, as fibreglass is also extremely slippery when wet. Never walk on an aluminium roof! 

References

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