Do you ever use your rear ladder?

[creativepart]

I find the rear ladder really difficult to use. Anyone else?

To me it's too narrow. It's too flat to the side of the coach. When you use a step ladder or an extension ladder you angle it to the top. You don't use it straight up and down.

I think RV ladders on the back of the RV would be great IF they were wider. Like any other ladder. And, if they stuck out farther from the bottom of the RV than at the top. Like any other ladder.

Here's the idea. Anchor the RV ladder at the top of the RV on a jointed or flexible mount at the top. make the rest of the ladder detachable from the RV. Put an extension on the bottom 3rd of the ladder so that after you detach the lower portion of the ladder you can extend it to the ground. Creating a comfortable angle between the ground and the top of the ladder. With the ladder safely attached at the roof and the bottom of the ladder now on the solid ground. Boom. You could easily use the ladder in complete safety.

Why haven't RV ladders seen ANY innovations in the past 30 years???

[FatChance]

I use our ladder to get on the roof every 2-3 weeks, on average.

[rarebear.nm]

All ladders have a weight limit and needs to be observed for your own safety. Many ladders top out in the 200-250 lb range.

I use mine frequently for same reasons as stated in other posts.

[saddlesore]

After discovering that the ladder attachment mounts were failing due to corrosion/rust combined with my 250 lb lard counter weights, Had the ladder deleted from coach..
Now use an extendable ladder to access the roof.
Coach looks a lot "cleaner" without the bolt on ladder me thinks.

[CountryB]

Saddlesore, what do the screws that hold the stanchion tubes to the coach body screw into? Is it a machine screw going into a threaded insert, or is it wood screw going into wood/fiberglass?

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by CountryB

Saddlesore, what do the screws that hold the stanchion tubes to the coach body screw into? Is it a machine screw going into a threaded insert, or is it wood screw going into wood/fiberglass?

If I remember correctly there are both, depending on the thickness of the fiberglass if you had access to the back of the fiberglass panel.
On the engine cover could get to the backside, on the coach body its self could not.. so used self tapping/wood type screws.
As the pic shows, the "internals" of the mounts were degraded by rust/corrosion, not the thru mounts to the fiberglass.

[UTTransplant]

I am scared of heights and can barely climb three steps on a regular ladder (yes, I know it is ridiculous), but Kevin climbs up on a regular basis. The solar panels occasionally need brushed off, and he inspects the roof for sealant needs a couple,of times a year. We are still looking for a collapsible ladder that is 16’ or more to let him climb on the roof from the side. Just haven’t found the right one yet.

[MRUSA14]

Originally Posted by creativepart

I find the rear ladder really difficult to use. Anyone else?

To me it's too narrow. It's too flat to the side of the coach. When you use a step ladder or an extension ladder you angle it to the top. You don't use it straight up and down.

I think RV ladders on the back of the RV would be great IF they were wider. Like any other ladder. And, if they stuck out farther from the bottom of the RV than at the top. Like any other ladder.

Here's the idea. Anchor the RV ladder at the top of the RV on a jointed or flexible mount at the top. make the rest of the ladder detachable from the RV. Put an extension on the bottom 3rd of the ladder so that after you detach the lower portion of the ladder you can extend it to the ground. Creating a comfortable angle between the ground and the top of the ladder. With the ladder safely attached at the roof and the bottom of the ladder now on the solid ground. Boom. You could easily use the ladder in complete safety.

Why haven't RV ladders seen ANY innovations in the past 30 years???

Interesting idea. Going a little further I would like to see a telescoping ladder, attached at the roof on a hinge as suggested above. It could be stored with the bottom of the ladder 4 or 5 feet off the ground by having a catch that would hold the bottom against the coach. Release the catch and extend the telescoping portion downward to the ground while slightly pulling the bottom of the ladder away from the coach. Best of all worlds: a ladder that erects or stores itself in seconds, is attached at the roof so it can't fall to the ground, and can be angled away from the coach for a more natural climbing angle.

[Pigman1]

Originally Posted by Hit_the_Rhod

If you don't have easy access to the roof, you are less likely to access it frequently to inspect covers, seams, etc for proper seal and condition. Therefore you are more likely to neglect those same items. Neglect leads to leaks, leaks lead to $$$$ in repairs.

I agree that manufacturers are not putting ladders on any more because of cost and aesthetics, plus they would much rather you take it to a dealer every time you need "periodic inspections" or maintenance. But I'm of the thought that the best maintainer/inspector is the owner, NOT some flunky getting paid minimum wage, but whose hourly bill out is in the triple digits.

Wouldn't have a coach without a ladder.

AMEN!! I'm up there a number of times a year even beyond regular maintenance cycles. Checking for loose screws in the awnings, loose antennas, and most of all, setting the braces when I raise and lower the 6 solar panels for optimum solar gathering. I too would not buy a coach without one.

BTW, Tiffin molds metal plates into the back side of the rear cap where the ladder attach points are screwed in. I do tighten the attaching screws for the ladder every now and then and have never had a problem with a brace attach point failing.

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by Pigman1

AMEN!!

BTW, Tiffin molds metal plates into the back side of the rear cap where the ladder attach points are screwed in. I do tighten the attaching screws for the ladder every now and then and have never had a problem with a brace attach point failing.

Foretravel & Newel do as well.. My issue was the ladder & step assembly joints internally rusting/corroding... then falling apart while I was using..
The older I get... the less I bounce...

[TriMoot]

Yes, I use mine all the time to clean, inspect, etc, etc. And I do have a question...where can I get a replacement? I've gone to various sites but can't seem to find one with 8 steps.

This pictures shows the existing ladder and my temporary fix (along with some bolts you can't see).

1997 RexAir, 32'....not sure what else you'd need to determine which ladder to buy.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

[allenb12]

I never use it.

[wackymac]

You bet I use it. Paid $49,500 for it. Paid cash and the RV dealer threw in a 31' Fiesta motorhome.

[GuyG]

Originally Posted by creativepart

I find the rear ladder really difficult to use. Anyone else?

To me it's too narrow. It's too flat to the side of the coach. When you use a step ladder or an extension ladder you angle it to the top. You don't use it straight up and down.

I think RV ladders on the back of the RV would be great IF they were wider. Like any other ladder. And, if they stuck out farther from the bottom of the RV than at the top. Like any other ladder.

Here's the idea. Anchor the RV ladder at the top of the RV on a jointed or flexible mount at the top. make the rest of the ladder detachable from the RV. Put an extension on the bottom 3rd of the ladder so that after you detach the lower portion of the ladder you can extend it to the ground. Creating a comfortable angle between the ground and the top of the ladder. With the ladder safely attached at the roof and the bottom of the ladder now on the solid ground. Boom. You could easily use the ladder in complete safety.

Why haven't RV ladders seen ANY innovations in the past 30 years???

Excellent idea. Wish there was a way I could retrofit mine that way. On the road, I use it. At home, I use my extension ladder.