need information on rear ladder placement.

[jayhawk1]

I have a 2005 4304 Mountain Aire.
This coach did not come with a factory rear ladder. I have located a factory ladder to install but I am having trouble with the placement of it.
What I mean is should it go on the rear drivers or passenger side.
Most of the 2005's I have seen the ladder was on the drivers side, however when I called Newmar to see if my coach had backer boards installed on the inside of the rear cap, I was sent a drawing showing backers on the passenger side. I even questioned them about this.
I want to make sure before I start drilling.
Could anyone with a 2005 4304 please respond? Thanks Bob.
This is a two piece ladder with the top piece being the one that is mounted on the coach.

["007"]

There is only four screw holes in this picture of a 2005:





Most ladders I have seen are on drivers side.
Notice the cross member location in the structural drawing in this brochure.

[jayhawk1]

Thank you. That looks exactly like my coach. I guess the only question is whether my coach, that was not ordered with a ladder, has any backing pieces behind the cap to anchor the ladder.
The roof is ok I know for the two screws there.

["007"]

The bottom of ladder will screw into the metal cross member.

[jayhawk1]

How wide would that cross member be? Would I need about 1 1/2" stainless self tapping screws?

["007"]

If you look at this video of sidewall construction and the wall corners reinforced with 2" members I would say that cross brace under rear cap would be a 2" square piece of aluminum.
A call to Newmar may give you the answer if doubtful. They may even have a print with measurements for mounting the ladder if its a Newmar ladder.

[jayhawk1]

Good idea. I will give them another call. I want to be certain before drilling.

[jayhawk1]

I could not get any other information from Newmar other than if your coach was not ordered with a ladder it probably does not have wood backer plates on the rear cap.
The 3" alum structure bar on the back is about 12" below where the bottom of the ladder is attached, so that won't work.
In the rear closet there is a recessed shoe compartment. I am going to take the four screws holding that in place out and pull it out. I should be able to get to the inside of the rear cap that way. If there is no backers on the left side I should be able on install them and screw the ladder on.

["007"]

Now there you go, you can drill holes through rear cap than use sealent and screw into 2x4 or 3/4 " plywood.
May even see metal cross member.

[jayhawk1]

I was able to get the shoe compartment out of the rear closet by removing 4 screws. The inside of the rear cap is totally exposed. There are 1/2" backer plates of plywood moulded into the fiberglass on the drivers side.
So reguardless of the information I received from Newmar, There is provisions for mounting a ladder on a model that was ordered without one.
Thanks for the help.

["007"]

Thanks for your hard work Jay maybe it will help someone else down the road.