Why a half ladder? Recommendation to buy the bottom half

[Unicorn Driver]

Hi,

The 2008 Itasca Latitude I have put an offer has only a half rear ladder.

To inspect the roof the dealer borrowed a a bottom ladder from another coach.

Why would it have half a half ladder only, is it for security or aesthetics? Or is it because of the rear radiator?

I see them on Amazon but range for 70-170$, can anyone recommend one? Are they ladder manufacturer specific?

Thanks,

[DaveG39]

bottom half idea is due to access to rear radiator. I have a fold-up ladder I keep in a storage compartment to do windshields and other tasks around the RV. When I need access to the roof I use that to gain access to the rear ladder. Although I have the lower section in my storage compartment I rarely use it.

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by DaveG39

bottom half idea is due to access to rear radiator. I have a fold-up ladder I keep in a storage compartment to do windshields and other tasks around the RV. When I need access to the roof I use that to gain access to the rear ladder. Although I have the lower section in my storage compartment I rarely use it.

Same here. I use a telescoping ladder for other stuff (like wash/wax/awning adjust) and I lean it against the top half to get access to the roof.

[Ray,IN]

Our coach has the same setup, the bottom-half of the ladder is in the basement, where it will stay. A full ladder on the rear cap can interfere with the towbar in a tight turn. I much prefer the multi-ladder I purchased to access the roof. I'm too old and stiff to climb a vertical ladder and make the transition onto the roof now.
Some have bought a telescoping ladder, but just last week the local news reported about a man who sustained a broken leg, broken arm, and head injury when the telescoping ladder he was on collapsed.

[Mr_D]

Rig came with the extension from the factory. Somewhere it got "lost".
Buy another or use a step ladder.

[Unicorn Driver]

Thanks all,


I will see if my ladder for washing windows will reach, If not I will get an extension.

[vsheetz]

You should have a bottom half. I do with our coach. But I don't carry it because of size and it snags in stuff in the basement. Instead have a long telescoping ladder for roof access. I use the top helfcatrached to the coach as a flag holder.

[Lt Dan]

Must be an Itasca thing to lose ladders! Our '06 Sunrise was also missing the bottom half when we bought it used. I made the dealer come up with a replacement and they probably stole it from another coach on the lot.

[gcamper]

The bottom half was an option on our Winnebago Journey

[Unicorn Driver]

Thanks all,

It did seem odd to not have one.

[DeWat]

I think rather than a rear radiator, this is more of a rear engine access determination. Some pushers have smaller engine access doors, so a full length ladder will not interfere with the opening of the door (look at early Tiffin REDs). Other pushers have wider engine access doors, requiring the ladder to be split. Our Allegro Bus has a side radiator, but still has a half ladder due to the wide engine access (a good thing to me). Nowadays, it looks like the ladder is becoming more of an option to require at build time rather than being automatically installed, at least Tiffin is, or was getting away from the ladder.

[deaton]

No ladders on the Newmar DP’s from Dutch Star on up.

[FatChance]

Originally Posted by deaton

No ladders on the Newmar DP’s from Dutch Star on up.

Maybe the new ones, but that has certainly not always been the case. Our 2004 Newmar Mountain Aire DP has a rear ladder. I use it a lot.

[Healeyman]

Originally Posted by 1stMH

Why would it have half a half ladder only...?

The flip side of your question is WHY do you need access to the roof?

Tim