[A/S] Re: Roof Climbing

["Brett" <denverdeco@xxxxxxxxx>]

We learned our lesson on "the myth" of Airstream roof structures the 
hard and expensive way when we had to repair two dents we put in the 
roof of a client's 1965 Safari while replacing the A/C unit. From 
then on we stood behind our work...rather than on it! 

Walking carfully in soft soled shoes is not much of an issue. Have a 
200# HVAC mechanic get down on his knees and try to lift anything 
else as he works, he WILL make dents. If the load is applied near a 
seam it is possible to make dents that stretch the aluminum skin 
enough to lift it between the rivets in the seam. I have heard, 
under my own carefully placed 190# feet, the "popping" of the 
aluminum panels as they returned to flat from the edge of the 
plastic limits of the material.  

Yes, you can STAND a string of people up there. Evenly distributed 
static loads are not much of an issue. The example of thiry 200# men 
equates to a load of only 25 lbs per square foot when evenly 
distributed through the structure which is a simple arch supported 
by a half arch on each end.

In addition to avoiding all potential of deforming the skin, the 
other advantage of using the bridge is that there is a greatly 
reduced risk of someone having some kind of metal filing or stone in 
a shoe that could scratch the polished surface or through the clear 
coat.

We have repaired several units that have had 2 to 3 feet of snow 
piled up on them which deformed the skin and structural members. 
Flat roof, wood framed trailers, of course, faired less well and we 
have had them through the shop, too. The Airstreams were 100% 
repairable and well worth it. The others had only about 50% 
economical repair rate and that was sometimes questionable. The 
Airstream is the best value.

When buying a used trailer check the fit of the lateral walls to the 
outside walls. If they do not fit tight, make sure someone checks 
out the roof. We have found a high degree of correlation of a poor 
fit at the wall juctions or wavy ceiling panels and trim to damaged 
roofs. As the roof is pushed down the exterior walls push out and 
away from the interior walls often breaking the rivets on the 
connecting angle.

Don't get me wrong, I think Airstream is the best built unit there 
is today. They are infinitely more repairable when damage occurs. 
They are more durable in the long run but they have their fragile 
side too. For the crew at this shop, we'll stick with the bridge, no 
risk of damage and the ability to move quickly about our work.

Brett Hall
TimelessTravelTrailers.com
303-432-3819