Community Forums

Resist · 08-02-2014, 12:46 PM

Does anyone know why Newmar got rid of the roof ladder for the 2015 Dutch Star?

PushedAround · 08-02-2014, 12:50 PM

Too many old, fat guys falling off the roof?

I just couldn't "Resist".

Dogpatch · 08-02-2014, 01:19 PM

My Beaver never came with one either. Here was my answer today when I needed to get on the roof.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f59/ladde...ml#post2164744

Steve N Sal · 08-02-2014, 01:25 PM

Seems as though manufacturers are getting away with putting them on some of the coaches. Our neighbors just purchased a new Tiffin Zephyr and had to have one put on as an option.

PDR John · 08-02-2014, 01:36 PM

I believe it's because of the new roof line. They raised the roof, with the top of the back cap being a spoiler.

Doesn't make for a secure place to mount a ladder.

GaryKD · 08-02-2014, 03:18 PM

Hi Resist,
After talking to many coach owners, Newmar determined it is not a buy decision feature. Companies try to invest only in items that make a person buy their product.

bnsonger47 · 08-02-2014, 05:37 PM

GaryKD has the right answer and so does PDR John. In fact, none of the Newmars with the fancy way if integrating that stuff around the roof precludes ladder. Personally, I'd rather have a ladder so the roof can be cleaned four or five times a year in order to keep mold and mildew from building up over the course of several weeks. Of course, out in Arizona during the dry time it is no problem. However, get into areas where there are trees and rain then the issue changes.

StevePala · 08-02-2014, 07:08 PM

I was just at the factory on Friday and was told that the extra height added with the integrated awnings make a ladder mounted to it too high. They had a few in the lot and the awnings made for a much cleaner appearance.

Jefe · 08-03-2014, 07:40 AM

Hopefully there still 12 feet 10 inches
I have a 13 door
Someone told me
you can let out some air from the bags
How much will I gain

danleininger · 08-03-2014, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefe

Hopefully there still 12 feet 10 inches
I have a 13 door
Someone told me
you can let out some air out if the airbags
How much will I gain

My Essex is 13' 1" tall. But if you have the Hadley Air system you can lower the entire coach, I'm guessing 6".

On my previous MA we got caught on a country road w a 13' bridge. But the bridge was arched and the height was in the center. So we manually dumped the air and I drive thru...BUT, I lost the ladder because I forgot the airbags automatically reinflated.

The Hadley system won't reinflated until you cancel the dump.

Bfmorgan · 08-03-2014, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefe

Hopefully there still 12 feet 10 inches
I have a 13 door
Someone told me
you can let out some air from the bags
How much will I gain

I took a factory tour in the spring. I think the height of the coaches with the new integrated roof line was 13' 4". At that height storage becomes a problem. A lot of the storage facilities are size for the older lower heights.

itgeekgal · 08-08-2014, 03:51 PM

Ok I totally understand removing the ladder for asthetics with the addition of the girard awnings, but realistically we need to go up on the roof occasionally with our current coach & I can't imagine the new Dutch Star owners won't need to get up on theirs too.

I love the new look but don't want to carry a 16ft ladder with us... Our current 10ft collapsable A frame ladder works great to get us to our short, coach attached ladder but couldn't get us to the roof of the new models.

It would be nice to say that we just won't ever go up there but is that realistic?

jimbo2013 · 08-08-2014, 04:18 PM

Is it because the factory think if you can afford one you will hire someone to go up there?

danleininger · 08-08-2014, 09:12 PM

I easily store a Little Giant collapsable ladder. It works great and being all aluminum it's not too heavy. It gives me the advantage of having a standard ladder and an extension ladder. And it's much more substantial than the rickety roof ladders I have had in the past. IMHO this is a safer and better option.