New to this with a ladder question

[Zonic2001]

I just purchased a 2011 GulfBreeze Sports 25TSS. This is my first camper. Done 20 years of tent camping. Anyway, want to do my fisrt mod and would like to install a rear ladder to gain access to the equipment on the roof but called the manufacturer and they told me that they don't put a ladder on these TT and they don't provide a roof bloker to screw the ladder top on the roof either. The TT is fiberglass shell and should have some plywood backing on the walls where most of the weight will be resting when I climb the ladder. Has anyone here installed an Universal ladder anyways? Is the fiberglass/plywood exterior construction strong enough to hold it? Should I helicoil the mounting holes to make them stronger into the fiberglass? Can you tell me which ladder manufacturer you used? Any information is greatly appreciated. Otherwise, if I don't get any feedback in here from the experts , I'll get a telescopic ladder.

[RV Wizard]

Hello and and to the Gulf Stream Owners Forum. We are glad to have you join us and we look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences. I am sure you will enjoy the website and forums. Good luck, stay safe and keep us posted.
The fiberglass is probably Filon. A thin fiberglass gel coat on either a luan or Masonite backer. The thickness and strength of the wall is insufficient to hold a ladder and any weight over 150 lbs., on its own. The roof deck can be luan or possibly 3/8" OSB. I would recommend just using an extension ladder or large step ladder for the roof and other maintenance needs.

[Zonic2001]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Wizard Hello and and to the Gulf Stream Owners Forum. We are glad to have you join us and we look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences. I am sure you will enjoy the website and forums. Good luck, stay safe and keep us posted. The fiberglass is probably Filon. A thin fiberglass gel coat on either a luan or Masonite backer. The thickness and strength of the wall is insufficient to hold a ladder and any weight over 150 lbs., on its own. The roof deck can be luan or possibly 3/8" OSB. I would recommend just using an extension ladder or large step ladder for the roof and other maintenance needs.

Thanks for the welcome.

About the ladder, let me discuss my logic with you. I'm 190 lbs but lets say I'm 200 lbs to make numbers easier. The ladder is supported by 6 wall supports and two roof supports and I can convert the bottom two supports to be on the bumper taking most of my vertical weight vector as I climb up. This is resting on a steel bumper, more than safe there. Going back to the wall supports. The wall supports are taking some of my horizontal vector coming from the extension of my arms while I'm holding to the ladder, they are not taking most of the vertical weight vector because that is running down the vertical tubing of the ladder down to the bumper. Therefore, at any point going up on the ladder my weight will be distributed as a maximum on two wall supports but mostly the two main supports on the bumper. I haven't calculated the weight distribution but at any single point it should not be any bigger than 75 to 100 lbs (this is conservative on the max side of values). All this is assuming that each support works independently which does not because the ladder is one piece. In reality, when I start at the bottom of the ladder, the bottom supports will be loaded the most but as I climb up they all will be loaded but the top ones will gradually be loading the most as I move to the roof. Is only when I'm on the roof, that the roof itself is taking my 200# weight supported by the exterior and any interior bearing wall or beam. That is my logic on it.

Anyway, while the TT is on warranty, I'm buying a telecoping ladder. Thanks for the tip that the wall can hold no more than 150 lbs. (I assume in a concentric area, not distributed because I saw the dealer service man walking on the roof without any problems), that is a very useful information. Thanks!

[Zonic2001]

Wow, I sounded too geeky... my apologies! Couldn't contain the structural engineer in me. PM if you need anything. I'm going to model in the next few days the above theory when I have some spare time.

[MickBrennan]

Here are some more thoughts about Roof Walking.

Personally, if there is no ladder there, take the hint.

[Zonic2001]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickBrennan Here are some more thoughts about Roof Walking. Personally, if there is no ladder there, take the hint.

I have more common sense than having a party up there. Rented many RVs in my past career as an amateur race driver. But as per your enclosed posting link said, sooner or later I need to inspect the roof for maintenance purposes and if anything goes bad such as the A/C, skylights replacement, TV antenna replacement, etc) I need to have that access. Otherwise, why the manufacturer installed equipment on the roof? Anyway, telescopic ladder will be used for now. Have a great day!

[wa8yxm]

First let me tell you that from my point of view the "Load rating" on most RV ladders is.. One small child.. I'm one very large man.

I took my RV type ladder off, sealed the holes and did something different.

I had my body man make a couple of heavy duty aluminum "J" hooks. These are bolted to the rig, just below the roofline, with good strong lag bolts into good solid wood backing.

I hang a "convertable" (Extension/Step) ladder from that.. At the bottom end I have a "Assist" bar, stainless steel, it's sold in the bath-accessories department at your local Hardware or Home Improvement store

The ladder hangs in the hooks and is both bicycle cable locked and bunge corded to the shower assist bar.. I can climb it to the roof, get on and off, mounted, OR I can take it off and "extend" it making it way easier to get on and off topside. I can also set it up as a step ladder for wash and wax type operations.. Waxing makes a bid difference in fuel consumption don't you know.

[Zonic2001]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm First let me tell you that from my point of view the "Load rating" on most RV ladders is.. One small child.. I'm one very large man. I took my RV type ladder off, sealed the holes and did something different. I had my body man make a couple of heavy duty aluminum "J" hooks. These are bolted to the rig, just below the roofline, with good strong lag bolts into good solid wood backing. I hang a "convertable" (Extension/Step) ladder from that.. At the bottom end I have a "Assist" bar, stainless steel, it's sold in the bath-accessories department at your local Hardware or Home Improvement store The ladder hangs in the hooks and is both bicycle cable locked and bunge corded to the shower assist bar.. I can climb it to the roof, get on and off, mounted, OR I can take it off and "extend" it making it way easier to get on and off topside. I can also set it up as a step ladder for wash and wax type operations.. Waxing makes a bid difference in fuel consumption don't you know.

Thanks!

[Cabinboy]

Hello,I've got a 2011 gulfstream Kingsport that is aluminum and I went to add a ladder to it and was told to do that I would have to get the whole back end rebuilt for structure purposes. So now I just use my extension ladder to wash the top but if any issues arise with the units I've got warranty where they come to the campground or where ever and fix it. I'm thinking of buying a telescopic ladder as well.