Community Forums

Ready2Travel · 10-03-2017, 08:24 AM

Injuries from falls from ladders are a common occurrence. Talked to 2 RV'ers recently who have been injured from ladder falls, one broke his heal, another broke two ribs.

Wife's son (works in hospital) told me recently that "you would not believe how many men are injured in Nov/Dec falling from ladders when putting up Christmas lights".

Was in Harbor Freight yesterday and saw scaffolding at $199.99, introductory price, will be $249.99 after the end of October. Harbor Freight also has a 20% off coupon available for a sale this weekend (one item) or if you look online they have a 20% coupon good any day this month for one item. That will bring the price down to 159.99 if purchased in October.

https://www.harborfreight.com/catalo...&q=scaffolding

https://www.coupons.com/coupon-codes...2&pos=1&lbox=1

Besides being safer it should be much easier waxing on the scaffolding than the up and down on the ladder.

Saltydog44 · 10-03-2017, 09:18 AM

Having just broken 2 ribs and puncturing a lung in a fall, I will be staying on the ground although apparently I can even screw that up.....

jbhobbs54 · 10-03-2017, 09:23 AM

I bought some scaffolding last year and it made waxing the coach much easier. I didn't buy mine from Harbor Freight but it was the exact same thing. I climb on the platform from a step ladder instead of the rungs on the scaffolding, just seemed a little safer.

Ready2Travel · 10-03-2017, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbhobbs54

I bought some scaffolding last year and it made waxing the coach much easier. I didn't buy mine from Harbor Freight but it was the exact same thing. I climb on the platform from a step ladder instead of the rungs on the scaffolding, just seemed a little safer.

That's what I planned on doing, using a ladder to get on the scaffolding. How high up do you set the platform?

Matt D · 10-03-2017, 09:50 AM

I understand your concern, but I would caution you about saving money by buying a Harbor Freight scaffold.

My experience with heavy tools from HF is that they cannot be expected to perform as one might expect.

I was installing the 455 in my GTO a few years ago and was using a pry bar to encourage an engine mount to line up. I kept hearing a crackling sound and couldn’t figure out what I was crushing.

Turns out it was the black paint flaking off of my 1” pseudo-steel pry bar as it bent in my hands. There is no reason any pry bar should have bent considering the minor amount of force applied.

I’ve also had jack stands that didn’t survive one use without signs of failure.

Safety critical stuff I get elsewhere.

For scaffolds, I’d look in your local Craigslist and you might find some legit scaffolding for sale.

-Matt

dave&ginny · 10-03-2017, 11:12 AM

I have the same type of set up at my house and that's how I wash and wax the rig. Just last Sunday I replaced all the clearance lights using this system with ease

GRedman · 10-03-2017, 11:50 AM

Did you replace with LED and if so, how did that work out? I did the interior and it was a snap and looks great!

jbhobbs54 · 10-03-2017, 12:37 PM

Ready2travel -

I do the bottom from the ground, then i have the scaffolding setup so I can reach the top of the coach with no issues. It makes anything I do to the upper part of the coach much easier and a lot steadier. Plus you get around 8-9 feet of coverage without moving the stupid ladder around. Nice place to put tools etc when you need to do any work at height.

dave&ginny · 10-03-2017, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRedman

Did you replace with LED and if so, how did that work out? I did the interior and it was a snap and looks great!

Yes I order the Peterbuilt LED lights that Chuck has posted pictures of. It wasn't hard to do once I figured everything out. And I guarantee my caulk job looks better than the factory work.

I just snipped the wires and put new snap ends on them. I only had 1 light on the front that still had the original Black sealant behind the light and it was tough to remove. The rest were easy. I did fill all the holes with silicone and then put black silicone around the chrome trim piece. You have to put the silicone around the light because the paint doesn't go all the way behind the lights.

jestal · 10-03-2017, 08:00 PM

Another option is the Little Giant ladder. Then get a Little Giant aluminum expandable work plank. Take the two sections of the ladder apart and use the two separate ladders as ends and place the work plank across as appropriate. View the Little Giant web site for more specifics. I have that setup and it works amazingly well and is extremely sturdy. Makes an excellent work platform and is much more flexible for uses than scaffolding. The Little Giant ladder is more expensive than the Harbor Fright equivalent but i would rather have the US made item. The work plank from Little Giant is usually on discount if you buy the ladder. Plus, the Little Giant ladder is so sturdy it might curb yor fear of ladders. It is one of the nicest pieces of equipment I have ever bought or used. Too bad their patents finally ran out and the Chinese can make identical copies but they are not as stiff as the little Giant IMO as I think the Chinese and Harbor Fright skimp on the aluminum quality.

jestal · 10-03-2017, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave&ginny

Yes I order the Peterbuilt LED lights that Chuck has posted pictures of. It wasn't hard to do once I figured everything out. And I guarantee my caulk job looks better than the factory work.

I just snipped the wires and put new snap ends on them. I only had 1 light on the front that still had the original Black sealant behind the light and it was tough to remove. The rest were easy. I did fill all the holes with silicone and then put black silicone around the chrome trim piece. You have to put the silicone around the light because the paint doesn't go all the way behind the lights.

That picture of the factory cab clearance light makes you really proud of Entegra craftsmanship doesn't it? Definitely looks like something on a $400K coach doesn't it?? NOT. When I looked at the cab clearance lights up close on our Anthem I almost threw up. Entegra really low balled that feature. Certainly nothing to be proud of. If i ever get everything else fixed and working at the same time I was going to take on reworking the cab clearance lights like you did with the chrome trim rings. I don't know if i will ever get to it, even though I have the lights already.

Cruzer · 10-05-2017, 08:38 AM

Reach equipment is one of the items we rent out. From 6' stepladders to 50' aerial boom lifts plus about 200 sections of scaffolding. Each has its place but none of it is foolproof. We have better American made versions of that Harbor Freight scaffolding and we have had people not only fall off but tip the scaffolding over. That stuff is only 29" wide and works great in a stairwell but in the open you have to be very careful. If you move the scaffold sideways the castors will be offset from the scaffold frames and it doesn't take much to tip it over. Ideally you move it into position, splay the wheels out to act as outriggers, lock the castor brakes and make sure you climb up the end frame and over the top, never around the side. Of course no one ever does that and the castor brakes on the cheap stuff never last long anyway so problems occur.

I have the Little Giant ladder that can be used as an extension or step that I carry with the RV and a nice 8' industrial stepladder for at home. When I move to Texas and build my metal building I'll take one of my scissors lifts along. If you get the wider scaffolding, like 3' or 5' end frames, you can have a very stable platform.

Aussies · 10-05-2017, 06:50 PM

We use the Little Giant on the road but at home we have a six-foot ladder/platform like you see in Home Depot - six wheels and the rear two are fixed and the front two lock in place by stepping hard on the bottom step. When standing on the platform, which is about 2'x4', and has a safety railing all around, I can easily reach the top edge of the coach.