Miss My Mounted Ladder - Suggestions?

[Sky_Boss]

Perhaps the one thing that I miss most about my previous coach is the rear mounted ladder. I was up and down on it regularly.

Today in a major rain storm I discovered that something is leaking. I want to get up on the roof and check everything. I've been told that the air dam on the back is pretty solid so putting a ladder on it is quite doable.

1. Does anyone know how far above the ground the rear air dam is when the bags are dumped on level ground?

2. Any ladder recommendations? I'm looking at the Telestep 1600EP with a "16' reach" but appears to be 12' long when fully extended. That seems a tad short unless the air dam is less than 10' above the ground.

[Dutch Star Don]

"SkyBoss".....Do you want to carry it in the coach or use it at home.

I have two, I have this one for use at home. I wanted something sturdy I could easily climb when working on the coach. I can only access my coach from the rear at home. This was a one piece 16' ladder I bought at Home Depot, cut off two rungs and added an item called Guardian Angel arms. They side down over the end of the ladder and give you a safe place to walk between the ladder arms when you reach the top.



I only plan to climb on the roof, while camping, in an emergency. For that, I carry a 15' telescoping ladder from Amazon. You want something taller than the coach so you can safely step off the ladder onto the roof.

[Tigerfan1]

I bought the Extend and Climb 15.5 ft. I wouldn’t buy anything shorter as it extends over the side valences and allows a safer step onto the roof.

[DrPhil]

Here is what I have and where I store it. It’s right in front of the genset carefully lashed in with tie downs.

Telesteps 1800EP OSHA Compliant Professional Extension Ladder, 14.5-Feet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003KGBIKC..._NLRfDbKDW64GE

[tom chelbana]

If you read on ladder safety they recommend a ladder that goes 2 to 3 feet above the roof. We are using a 15.5 telescoping ladder mounted in front of gen. which fits like it was built for a ladder to store. Don't go up on the roof that often as I did with the shorter Essex but have found easier to go up the back of the coach. Good suggestions on you tube on using and safety on a ladder. Do also recommend another person to spot for you. Be extra careful when wet and think twice before going up.
Newmar Man

[Sky_Boss]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

"SkyBoss".....Do you want to carry it in the coach or use it at home. ...

We be full timers without a house. I like what you did!

[Stuart W]

Originally Posted by Sky_Boss

Perhaps the one thing that I miss most about my previous coach is the rear mounted ladder. I was up and down on it regularly.



Today in a major rain storm I discovered that something is leaking. I want to get up on the roof and check everything. I've been told that the air dam on the back is pretty solid so putting a ladder on it is quite doable.



1. Does anyone know how far above the ground the rear air dam is when the bags are dumped on level ground?



2. Any ladder recommendations? I'm looking at the Telestep 1600EP with a "16' reach" but appears to be 12' long when fully extended. That seems a tad short unless the air dam is less than 10' above the ground.

Your looking at 12’6” give or take an inch, a 12 foot ladder would not be ok for me.

[Sky_Boss]

Originally Posted by Stuart W

Your looking at 12’6” give or take an inch, a 12 foot ladder would not be ok for me.

They advertise in the brochure that the overall height is 12'10". I've never taken the time to measure the drop off the airbags. I suppose one could "ball park" the height with deflated bags by subtracting the ride height.

Anyone have the ride height figures for the Freightliner chassis?

[Sky_Boss]

Originally Posted by tom chelbana

If you read on ladder safety they recommend a ladder that goes 2 to 3 feet above the roof. We are using a 15.5 telescoping ladder mounted in front of gen. which fits like it was built for a ladder to store. ...

I hear you on the extra length. One has to be careful when looking at the specifications because some "cleverly" list the height someone can reach up to. I think that averages about 3.5' above the full length.

Based on my previous post and assuming the the bags deflated height at the air dam is about 12.5' or less, then a ladder that is a full 15' or better should work.

[lwmcguire]

Having a safe ladder and using it correctly and safely is very important

As noted the top of the ladder extended above the roof by 2 feet is very crucial to allow safe exit and entry

Footing for the feet is crucial if on soil or gravel

Three old friends to date have fallen off ladders and all with significant injuries

[Mojim]

Originally Posted by lwmcguire

Having a safe ladder and using it correctly and safely is very important

As noted the top of the ladder extended above the roof by 2 feet is very crucial to allow safe exit and entry

Footing for the feet is crucial if on soil or gravel

Three old friends to date have fallen off ladders and all with significant injuries

I fell off a 20' ladder ...glad I was on the first step!

[LETMGROW]

I have a ladder fixed to the rear of my MH which I use when camping.
At home I use an extension ladder which will extend above the roof. I tie off the ladder to the rear bumper with a ratchet strap before using the extension ladder to assure the ladder won't slip when going up or down it.
I can also tie the ext. ladder off to the MH ladder.
Lynn

[Dutch Star Don]

Just a side note, if you use a portable ladder while camping, have a strap handy. As you get near the top, you can strap the ladder to the awning façade or rear spoiler for safety, so it doesn't slip when you step off at the top.

[CoreyinWP]

How about mounting a rear ladder?