Community Forums

Clicker1943 · 01-18-2015, 08:07 AM

The 5er I'm looking at has all the nice options except a rear roof ladder. Can they be added after market. Have you done this? Any problems or concerns?

mbridinger · 01-18-2015, 08:13 AM

Yes easily added. My choice is a portable lightweight ladder, you will need one as well.

Walt Bennett · 01-18-2015, 10:42 AM

If it doesn't have one, it may be because the roof can't support a person's weight. That's what the manufacturers are doing to make 'ultra' lights besides shrinking tank sizes, etc.

wa8yxm · 01-18-2015, 04:29 PM

First, how big are you: Though RV ladders claim to be able to support a full size adult.. Well, if he's 5' tall and slender, Perhaps.

If he is 6'+ and heavy set..... NO WAY.

I replaced mine with a much stronger convertable (Step/Extension) mine is not easily stowed (but there are compartmetns it would fit in) so I designed a hook and bar system to carry it.

But they make some real nice ones that will go in the basement, fold up nice and small and unflod to a full size 250 pound (500 test) ladder that easily reaches 3 feet above the roof.. You want one that's at least 4 feet longer than your RV is high.

Oh, hot to set an extension ladder (Get proper angle)

Lean it against the RV, no put your toes up adainst the feet on the ladder

Extend your arm straight forward, palm down and lower it till it hits a rung (or raise it a bit if there is a run just above it)

Does the run fit naturally in you hand? GOOD

Only touch it with finger tips (too flat, increase angle)
Hit with wrist (to straight up, move base out more).

Dasmoeturhead · 01-18-2015, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clicker1944

The 5er I'm looking at has all the nice options except a rear roof ladder. Can they be added after market. Have you done this? Any problems or concerns?

My current rig does have a nice ladder attached , and I do use it. I also have a 15 or 16 foot ladder that I also use. When we had a lightweight TT, the rear wall would not support a mounted ladder. Lightweight material, and frame spacing to far apart.

IC2 · 01-19-2015, 07:20 AM

I really don't like the usual supplied ladder and seldom use the one on ours, opting to use the Werner 13' extendable though wish I had bought the 16' version but HD was out of stock when it was needed.

The note in a post above about some models plus some light weights not having a full walk on roof - that is something that you need to consider. We had a 2001 Sunline TT which didn't have a walk on roof. I ended up cutting some 1/2 plywood x 16" wide to span between rafters so I could inspect and clean.

Our previous 5er was a 2006 Titanium and usually considered a 'premium level' unit. This photo shows how the ladder was attached to the fiberglass back cap which was only about 1/8" thick. There were no backer plates for any of the screws, even the ones at the next level - and once seeing that, the reason I used that extendable ladder to carry my 200#.

Clicker1943 · 01-22-2015, 09:30 AM

Thanks all for your assistance and ideas!

Brockx · 01-22-2015, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IC2

This photo shows how the ladder was attached to the fiberglass back cap which was only about 1/8" thick. There were no backer plates for any of the screws, even the ones at the next level - and once seeing that, the reason I used that extendable ladder to carry my 200#.

My previous MH, a 1996 Pace Arrow Vision was pop-riveted to the rear fiberglass cap. I'm 240# and was up there at least 20 times while I owned it, so I guess they knew what they were doing. Have not checked my current MH but I'm betting it is the same

.