What is the best way to get on the roof of your bus?

[FawnaFox]

The best part of a bus has to be a roof deck, it basically doubles your usable space. I have a traditional nosed bus, the way I've been getting onto my roof is getting onto the hood and then pulling myself onto the roof. It works for now, but i'd rather have a better way. I'm considering a rear ladder, but how should I go about doing that? I'd also just like general advise for Roof decks and roofs in general!

 

[ewo1]

most if not all insurance carriers will not insure a roof deck. first thing to analyze, can I get a roof deck insured?
Rear ladder is doable, most RV have one, just copy what they got....

 

[FawnaFox]

most if not all insurance carriers will not insure a roof deck. first thing to analyze, can I get a roof deck insured?
Rear ladder is doable, most RV have one, just copy what they got....

I will have to check, currently the bus is not on the road, its not registered or insured.. I will remember this when I go to put it on the road.

 

[Gyrkin]

I go through the roof emergency hatches. I don't have a roof deck, just go up there to install and maintain the solar.

 

[Ronnie-SKO]

No deck but I like going up through the roof hatches as well.an expandable ladder works great for this. A few buses back we had a ladder built in on the rear. It was ok, but I really do not like ladders so the inside and going through the hatch feels much better to me.

My insurance prohibits roof decks. Cleaning, and solar panels are the only reason for me to go up.

 

[Dbacks2k4]

I was thinking of just bolting some 1-foot long handicap grab rails to the back of my bus. Less obstructive than a full ladder and can double as a place to dry towels when parked.

 

[Rock-N-Ruth]

The best part of a bus has to be a roof deck, it basically doubles your usable space. I have a traditional nosed bus, the way I've been getting onto my roof is getting onto the hood and then pulling myself onto the roof. It works for now, but i'd rather have a better way. I'm considering a rear ladder, but how should I go about doing that? I'd also just like general advise for Roof decks and roofs in general!

In our current build both of our emergency escape hatches are unobstructed by the solar panels. we have a Gorilla 5' big step ladder that I use from the inside to access the roof for panel cleaning and peeing into the wind. Wait. I should face the other way. Not as messy.

I have seen some folks using a collapsible ladder that hides in a drawer. you could even make a rope ladder that rolls up into your escape hatch area or rolls up and stows in a drawer.

Ladders on the outside may invite trespassers. We had a Newmar Dutchstar motor home years ago. It had a ladder on the back. I removed it after an incident with a couple of drunk hostile holligans that got close to getting shot, decided to try to break in through the roof vent while I was sleeping inside.

 

[FawnaFox]

In our current build both of our emergency escape hatches are unobstructed by the solar panels. we have a Gorilla 5' big step ladder that I use from the inside to access the roof for panel cleaning and peeing into the wind. Wait. I should face the other way. Not as messy.

I have seen some folks using a collapsible ladder that hides in a drawer. you could even make a rope ladder that rolls up into your escape hatch area or rolls up and stows in a drawer.

Ladders on the outside may invite trespassers. We had a Newmar Dutchstar motor home years ago. It had a ladder on the back. I removed it after an incident with a couple of drunk hostile holligans that got close to getting shot, decided to try to break in through the roof vent while I was sleeping inside.

That would work, but my roof hatches were so sun damaged that I replaced them with plexiglass, they don't open, so security is not as big of a concern.

 

[nikitis]

I plan on doing the back ladder. I closed off my emergency roof hatch so no way inside from the roof.