Will my roof hold me?

[Bruceper]

1992 Dodge B350 Van Pleasure-Way. Will it hold my weight on the roof?

As a note, I'm 280 pounds.

If not, what's the best way to get up there to clean the roof? LOTS of tree sap on it from the previous owner, plus I need to reseal the roof fan.

[stanw909]

It may crack.Sap is better than crack.I used my 165lb. kid to help me install a new power vent and could hear it creak on the verge of cracking.

[Davydd]

Build a scaffold with boards across the top you can work from.

[booster]

A padded 8ft stepladder leaned up against the van works well, especially if you put it on a rubber mat to help prevent sliding. I have done all our solar work, cleaning and waxing that way for years without issue. I can reach the entire roof. If going up high on ladder worries you, have someone hold the bottom steady for security.

[avanti]

Those "Little Giant" stepladders (or their generic equivalents) are da bomb.

https://www.littlegiantladder.com

Recommended.

[Davydd]

I use a boat life preserver vest as a pad with my ladder. I have a bunch of them and no longer have a boat. Got to use them for something.

[Bruceper]

Thanks for the replies. I was going to do the leaning ladder thing. I have multiple ladders including one like the little giant linked above. I was actually going to back the van up to my truck and use my truck bumper to hold the ladder, that would do very well lol.

If only I could find a 40-50 pound kid that knew what they were doing and I could trust them

[Davydd]

There is another method. I had to work on my antenna at Grand Isles State Park in Louisiana.

[wincrasher]

Originally Posted by avanti

Those "Little Giant" stepladders (or their generic equivalents) are da bomb.

https://www.littlegiantladder.com

Recommended.

Word!

I've yet to stand on my van. Don't know how someone is really supposed to stand up there and load a kayak without putting a dent in it.

[booster]

I have seen some folks that have truck bodies mark were the supporting ribs are on the roof when they needed to get on them for various reasons. With a steel bodied and roof van, I would think you could do the same. Standing on the roof above a support rib should be much less likely to dent anything. Perhaps one of the folks doing a DIY, where they can see were the ribs are could do quick hand push test ans tell for sure.

[stanw909]

My 160lb kid does pretty good but grumbles a lot.I am on the ladder doing most the work but some spots are a too far a stretch.Or last project was the solar panel install using no brackets, just Eterna Bond.