Community Forums

bruceisla · 03-18-2014, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coachmanrvr

Ordered a Curt 8" hitch extension tonight. I'll follow up with how she does when it arrives.

Good choice. Removing a ladder, or any stanchions, is not as easy as you might think. And, if you ever get the chance to see what's inside the stanchion, you might not use the ladder again

.

coachmanrvr · 03-18-2014, 06:04 AM

I was there when they picked it up with the vacuum lift and glued it on. I live on the edge every time I climb up there

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceisla

Good choice. Removing a ladder, or any stanchions, is not as easy as you might think. And, if you ever get the chance to see what's inside the stanchion, you might not use the ladder again

.

bruceisla · 03-18-2014, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coachmanrvr

I was there when they picked it up with the vacuum lift and glued it on. I live on the edge every time I climb up there

Yup ... I stay as vertical as possible when climbing. When I see people with their arms fully extended horizontally I am usually ready to dial 911. That said, I actually use the ladder a lot. I'm a roof/AC/antenna/solar panel/vent inspection freak. When I'm standing on the roof in the storage facility and look around at other RV roofs, I appear to be an exception

tanstaafl · 03-18-2014, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJB

It is hindsight for me now but I almost wish I would have ordered my 36LA without the ladder just for a cleaner look. The only time I ever go on the roof is to clean it in my driveway and I have two ladders at home that would give me that access.

I hate the location of the shower skylight in relation to the ladder. I'm not as nimble as i used to be and the ladder position pretty much guarantees that I won't be on roof very often, if at all.

So far, that's my biggest complaint on the 36LA. The driver cupholder is the other one I have.

bruceisla · 03-18-2014, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanstaafl

I hate the location of the shower skylight in relation to the ladder. I'm not as nimble as i used to be and the ladder position pretty much guarantees that I won't be on roof very often, if at all.

So far, that's my biggest complaint on the 36LA. The driver cupholder is the other one I have.

That's an enviable list of things that "aren't quite right".

tanstaafl · 03-18-2014, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceisla

That's an enviable list of things that "aren't quite right".

We're quite pleased with this one, especially compared to our last RV.

coachmanrvr · 03-18-2014, 11:28 AM

We love our 35QBA...just wish stuff would stop breaking all the time. I guess I'd have better luck with that if we'd leave it parked every once and a while. Near 30K now.

ernieh · 03-18-2014, 01:35 PM

I would NOT cut the ladder. The ladder with extension is shakey enough when installed properly. Without the "wrap around" to the body on the bottom, I would be afraid to stand on it. (I weigh around 180 and am not afraid of heights).

Brockx · 03-18-2014, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coachmanrvr

Ordered a Curt 8" hitch extension tonight. I'll follow up with how she does when it arrives.

Good choice, if 8 " is not enough you can find longer, E Trailer, Curt, Reese, Amazon, or any decent hitch installer can fab it.

I assume the bottom of your ladder turns in to the rear cap, if so that is part of your load bearing.

coachmanrvr · 03-18-2014, 07:16 PM

It actually does not. It just ends with a step. There is a stand off brace near the bottom, but the bottom doesn't turn in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brockx

Good choice, if 8 " is not enough you can find longer, E Trailer, Curt, Reese, Amazon, or any decent hitch installer can fab it.

I assume the bottom of your ladder turns in to the rear cap, if so that is part of your load bearing.

Brockx · 03-19-2014, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coachmanrvr

It actually does not. It just ends with a step. There is a stand off brace near the bottom, but the bottom doesn't turn in.

If you find you still wish to shorten your ladder this company RV Ladder Repair Parts - Factory RV Surplus has everything you need to do it right. Your ladder not turning back in at the bottom makes it very easy.

They sell tubing made to fit inside the ladder tubes, this allows cutting out a section (usually a damaged area) and grafting in a new pieces. Buy a "stubby" tube cutter don't try to saw the tubes the Rigid stubby is about $10.

With about $20 worth of parts you could put your ladder back to stock appearance if you ever decided to do so.

The hitch ball extender should hopefully solve your problem though.

coachmanrvr · 04-09-2014, 06:11 PM

Back from our first outing after using the 8" extension. Works great avoiding the ladder, but drug my trailer jack....I'll have to take it off when we tow. Three bolts is not too bad.