New DutchStar - No Ladder - Now What?

[Norm Mac]

So we are about to buy a new DutchStar (Way Cool!).
It does not have a ladder.
Where do you lean an extension ladder?
Or can you only use a tall step ladder?

Sooner or Later, I'm going to need to get on that roof.

Thanks

[Bmaintz8]

Originally Posted by Norm Mac

So we are about to buy a new DutchStar (Way Cool!).
It does not have a ladder.
Where do you lean an extension ladder?
Or can you only use a tall step ladder?

Sooner or Later, I'm going to need to get on that roof.

Thanks

Don't understand WHY they build a Newmar without the ladder...
Should make the ladder Standard Equipment...

[bullheaded]

I use one of these 17' Little Giant with Air Deck from Costco

[zman62]

I use a 15ft telescopic. It works great.

[bullheaded]

Originally Posted by zman62

I use a 15ft telescopic. It works great.

I have one of these but it's not as easy to use for daily bug removal.

[PDR John]

I carry 2 different ladders. A collapsing and quad fold 7' step.


I use a pool noodle split down the length to keep the ladder from making marks.

The quad fold is what I use to clean the windows.

The highline roof is what caused the ladder loss. The air spoiler on the back is said to cause problems.

[FlyingDiver]

The reason the new coaches with the high sides (and rear) don't have a ladder is the coach is too tall for the ladder to go far enough above the roofline to be safe. There's a minimum (12"-16" or so) of ladder that must extend above the roofline to be usable. With the top of the awning covers and rear cap at close to 13', it just won't fit.

And honestly, the one time I used the built-in ladder on a friend's coach, I'm glad mine doesn't have one. Those vertical ladders with a long drop to the ground and crummy extension above the roof aren't safe. And they do you no good for cleaning the windshield anyway.

We carry a Telesteps extension ladder, and I have sections of split pool noodle duct taped over the back side of the top three rungs to keep them off the roof/sides.

[wagonmaster2]

The absence of a rear ladder is just one of the many reasons I'm very nervous, apprehensive, and uneasy about the delivery of my new Dutch Star scheduled within the next two weeks. Not sure how this will end up. The DS is a great coach but Newmar has definitely screwed up in many places of their design for the camping customer. Great for the Resort users but not the off-the-beaten-path camper.

[nebster]

I'm using this 15' ladder with a leftover 4 foot piece of foam draped over the top. I couldn't figure out how to get pool noodles on the ladder without preventing it from collapsing all the way. And I like having a slab of foam around for other working purposes anyway.

I found one spot on both sides of the coach that clears all the slide hardware, awnings, security lights, and is next to one of the steel stanchions that hold the fiberglass highline facades. When I get to the top, I use that steel as my primary handhold from that point forward... even if the ladder were to go, I'm not letting go of that sucker. Grabbing the fiberglass was not as confidence-inducing.

["007"]

Here is one of many MOD's for ladder storage you can find in the QT's links.

[Arch Hoagland]

Originally Posted by FlyingDiver

The reason the new coaches with the high sides (and rear) don't have a ladder is the coach is too tall for the ladder to go far enough above the roofline to be safe. There's a minimum (12"-16" or so) of ladder that must extend above the roofline to be usable. With the top of the awning covers and rear cap at close to 13', it just won't fit.

And honestly, the one time I used the built-in ladder on a friend's coach, I'm glad mine doesn't have one. Those vertical ladders with a long drop to the ground and crummy extension above the roof aren't safe. And they do you no good for cleaning the windshield anyway.

We carry a Telesteps extension ladder, and I have sections of split pool noodle duct taped over the back side of the top three rungs to keep them off the roof/sides.

The air conditioners stick up that high so why would a ladder be any different?

I've been on my roof at least 50 times in the past ten years and wouldn't use any type of ladder other than the one built in.

Norm Mac...have you asked the dealer to add one?

[nebster]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

The air conditioners stick up that high so why would a ladder be any different?

No, they don't. They are below the roofline on the new models, because there is a facade all the way around the roof to hide all that stuff.

[Ramets]

Once my main awning started to unfurl while going down an interstate. It was up on the roof by the time I got stopped on the shoulder. I'm certainly glad I didn't have to figure where I was going to put a ladder to be able to get on the roof while semis were sailing by at 65mph.

[PDR John]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

The air conditioners stick up that high so why would a ladder be any different?

I've been on my roof at least 50 times in the past ten years and wouldn't use any type of ladder other than the one built in.

Norm Mac...have you asked the dealer to add one?

The '15 Dutch Stars have a roof line just like the King Airs. Sidewall height of 13 feet 3 inches. Legally they can't put on a ladder that requires 6 inches above that, max legal road height is 13 feet 6 inches.

Originally Posted by Ramets

Once my main awning started to unfurl while going down an interstate. It was up on the roof by the time I got stopped on the shoulder. I'm certainly glad I didn't have to figure where I was going to put a ladder to be able to get on the roof while semis were sailing by at 65mph.

I don't think a Girard awning is capable of unrolling. If it did, a ladder is the least of your worries.