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Old 12-21-2016, 04:46 PM   #1
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Walking-the-Roof of a Jayco Swift SLX???

Is it safe to walk the roof of a Jayco Swift SLX?

An online video instruction for installing a winter cover on travel trailers depicts the owner/installer walking on the roof of his travel trailer to install the winter cover. Wow! I dinnae ken that a travel trailer roof could support a grown man.

A quick answer is appreciated as I need to cover my travel trailer for the first time.

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Old 12-21-2016, 05:08 PM   #2
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Yes the roof can support the weight of a person.
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Old 12-21-2016, 08:43 PM   #3
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Walkin' topside

BOATS - not sure it matters, and have no idea what kind RV you have, but will provide you my experience. As you can surmise from my Signature at the bottom of this post, my Jayco is just a small TT. I'm also a light sailor (@125 #), and I've done some maintenance to the top of my trailer. However, I'm still cautious about putting any significant, concentrated weight on the roof while performing that maintenance. Additionally, should you go about 800 #, I'd recommend staying off the top of the RV, regardless of type. Despite what all the Forum's informed members say, one never knows if maybe an anomaly exists (bad frame, a little rot, etc.) and you put your foot through the overhead and/or injure yourself. Inasmuch as your title (BOS'N) indicates some seagoing experience, I'd recommend you fall back on that and insure your gear is adequate for the mission.
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Old 12-21-2016, 10:39 PM   #4
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Have always been told they are designed to support your weight for walking. It's one of their marketing statements they promote. Only had our trailer since last spring and have walked around on it a few times. Feels sturdy and not as if it is straining under my weight (180lbs). That said, I walk and step easily, try not to put my weight (feet) close together and do not kneel down since that might create a small depression that could cause a problem. I'm sure the maintenance crews are not as easy on them when they are up there doing service but hey, it's mine.
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Old 12-22-2016, 12:00 AM   #5
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My father in law used to have a Jayco Swift. I did all the routine maintenance on it and walked on the roof. Granted the roof did flex a bit with me (225 pounds), but it still held me. How else do they expect you to do routine maintenance on the roof?
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Old 12-22-2016, 05:20 AM   #6
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I put mine on without, well almost, not getting on the roof. I benefitted from the trailer backed up close to the house, so i got on the roof of the house and onto the back of the trailer just to get the cover over the new style TV antenna they now use without damaging it. The 8' and 7' SLX roofs differ quite a bit, the 8' is domed, where the 7 is flatter. I did get on the roof of my previous 7' SLX, to put on the Max-airs, there was no issues, but i didn't move around much on it .... i would prefer not to be up on it. If you can cover without getting on the roof, thats the way i would go .... a friend and a couple of stepladders should do it, especially the fact the antenna folds down, and the A/C is on the side of the RV
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Old 12-22-2016, 05:53 AM   #7
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To be overly cautious you could carry a section of plywood to spread your weight.

According to the warranty I need to check the seals a couple times per year. To me that means crawling on the roof.
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Old 12-22-2016, 12:58 PM   #8
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Gee, I walk on my SLX 264BHW at least twice a year installing/removing the ADCO cover. NO issues at all, also would be hard to clean roof w/o walking on it....

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Old 12-22-2016, 03:01 PM   #9
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I got up on my roof once to install a vent cover for the bathroom fan. Like jayco jay, I didn't like the way it felt. I much prefer to work off a ladder if at all possible. I also put on my adco cover without getting on the roof by using an a frame ladder, creative folding/deploying, and a pole with a piece of pool noodle as a poker to direct it as I unroll. Took about 45 minutes, probably a bit slower than getting on the roof.
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Old 12-22-2016, 03:08 PM   #10
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I have to get on the roof of my 19RD to install the winter cover. Twice, so far. I admit to 200#, but I expect a scale will show significantly more.


I stay on my hands and knees, keeping a hand planted at all times to distribute my weight. I have never felt any significant flex in the roof while I have been up there.


I tend to stay away from the middle of the roof where the internal support is limited.
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Old 12-22-2016, 08:02 PM   #11
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If you look at the Jayco website, they show the roof stacked with cement blocks. 2017 Jay Flight Travel Trailers Construction Detail | Jayco, Inc.

Dealer said that Jayco was targeting the racing crowd who like to party on the roofs, and see the races.

Don't know if that is true, and not something I would do, but it looks like a very capable roof.
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Old 12-22-2016, 09:43 PM   #12
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Now if they'd just make a magnum truss slide roof. The slide roofs on most RVs do good just to hold a little water.
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Old 12-23-2016, 06:35 AM   #13
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I don't think the SLX line uses the magnum truss roof.


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Old 12-23-2016, 09:15 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ctbailey View Post
I don't think the SLX line uses the magnum truss roof.


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The Jayco website for the SLX line has a construction details page, which shows that it uses the magnum truss.

https://www.jayco.com/products/trave...uction-detail/
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Old 12-12-2017, 10:18 PM   #15
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I weight in at 275lbs and I walk on the roof of my 2017 X23b no problem. They are designed to take weight. Lots of maintenance requirements to be done on the roof.
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Old 12-14-2017, 05:13 AM   #16
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I think it depends on which of the SLX trailers we're talking about. The 8' wide SLX trailers are built like the regular Jay Flight trailers with the magnum truss roofs.

I'm not sure the narrower 7' SLX trailers have the same roof structure. I could be wrong.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Khans Keeper View Post
The Jayco website for the SLX line has a construction details page, which shows that it uses the magnum truss.

https://www.jayco.com/products/trave...uction-detail/
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Old 03-28-2022, 10:44 AM   #17
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Roof flex while walking

The roof may be fine while walking on it but the flex is still unnerving. If my floor did that I’d be replacing it.
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Old 03-28-2022, 11:22 AM   #18
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Gee, I walk on my SLX 264BHW at least twice a year installing/removing the ADCO cover. NO issues at all, also would be hard to clean roof w/o walking on it .... Larry J
Ditto X2
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Old 03-28-2022, 11:39 AM   #19
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We have a 212QB and Ive been on my roof several times, and I’m weighing in at 175 lbs.
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Old 03-28-2022, 11:52 AM   #20
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If you're feeling soft mushy spots on your roof, you better get it inspected. These roofs don't get soft and sinky feeling. They stay as firm as they did from the day they were built. If there's considerable flex in your footsteps on the surface, something could be wrong. Just like on your home.
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