Van Roof Strength. Can I walk on it often?

[akrvbob]

I have a 2001 Chevy Express G3500 and I'm pleased with it. One thing I like to do is climb up on the roof from the drivers door and stand up there to take photos and shoot movies. It gives a totally different view and often gets me above the trees and brush along the road. 

I'd never given a thought to the structural integrity of the roof with my weight and gear but  a friend saw me and said to be careful, in the long run I could damage the roof. 

That's got me concerned so I thought I would ask here with some of the smartest and nicest people I know. 

Let's guess I do it 20 times a year, is that a problem?
Do you know someone who damaged their roof by walking on it?
Have you ever heard or read something about it happening?

Thanks everyone!
Bob

 

[Ballenxj]

I'm thinking that if you haven't damaged it yet, it will be fine, but I'd like to hear what others have to say.
If it were me, I would think about building a platform on a roof rack.

 

[BigT]

It's paper-thin sheet metal with some small cross supports under it.  No way would I stand on it.  Maybe mount a roof rack that attaches to the gutters, if you haven't already, and place a piece of plywood (or metal or whatever) on top of the crossbars and stand on that.  
That way your weight is more evenly distributed and the bulk of your weight is over the sides/walls where there's considerably more vertical strength.

 

[Canine]

I've walked on vans that I've had with no problem.Of course,I only weighed about 140 back then.

 

[highdesertranger]

well if you keep your weight over the ribs you should be ok. if you step between the ribs you could dent the roof, but if it hasn't happened yet I doubt it will. do you feel the roof give between the ribs when you walk on it? I saw you up there at RTR and figured you were walking on the ribs. a roof rack and plywood would remove all doubt, then you could even put a chair up there. highdesertranger

 

[Gary68]

if it does dent in you should be able to go inside and push it out with your hands

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Our roof was badly dented and a couple ribs bent when we got it. When we were in Coo Bay, Patrick made me some re-enforcements with angle iron. We jacked the ribs back into place and screwed the new pieces in place...problem solved.

I think I would mount plywood and afix my solar panels to that, leaving a space to stand/sit.

But...there is a chance your Chevy has stronger ribs than our Dodge. Or an elephant danced on our roof

 

[BradKW]

I've managed to dent in the roof of every van I've ever had, and they don't just push back out. Its been a variety of things, from me having to get up there to secure (or unsecure) equipment, errant equipment placement, and even coconuts. I'm not exactly light at 215lbs, but I've been denting van roofs for 30 years, back when I was a svelt 180

The idea that one could walk on a van roof many times and NOT dent it doesn't really fit with my worldview...I'd stand as much chance of that as walking on water I think.

On the bright side, it never seems to actually matter, unless you dent it in the crown by windshield, which then seems to invite a rust spot.

 

[TMG51]

I get up on my roof all the time, and it's a fiberglass top. I mostly use it to sit on the edge though. If I stand up and walk around I stick to the sides rather than walk in the middle. Like has been said I'd try to stand on the ribs, wherever they are.

 

[highdesertranger]

my rack is covered in 3/8 plywood. I painted stripes where my ribs are so I could walk on them. I don't know if that works for you. highdesertranger

 

[masterplumber]

I had a '98 Ford and a guy that worked for me climbed on it to tie something down, dented it the first time. It really made me mad as I had a 1' wide wire mesh basket up there he could have walked on instead.

Did you see the rack on the surfer girl's van at RTR? and get your mind out of the gutter - I'm talking about the van. It was a retired news van and had a heavy duty rack with 2x wood for the floor. It made an awesome upper deck that was made for walking and shooting film from.

I know Swankie does the same as you Bob, but her's is also covered with 3/4 plywood. I think if I was going to do that on a regular basis that's what I would do. It would also shade the roof of the van keeping it cooler. Just be sure the leading edge is flush with the front rack crossbar, or rig up some other air deflector so it doesn't become as much of a sail.

 

[GotSmart]

^^ What he said. ^^

 

[SoulRaven]

I got on the roof of my '04 Sienna today for the first time and very nearly dented it. Remaining on hands and knees, one misstep away from the edge had the metal popping inward. Good thing I was going slow; I hadn't shifted my whole  weight and it popped back the moment  I lifted off.

I weigh ~95 pounds.

I dunno how different the roof of a minivan is xompared to a full size, but much as I love heights I'll be up there as sparingly as possible to avoid damage.

 

[Ballenxj]

  I painted stripes where my ribs are so I could walk on them.  

I like that idea!