Ladder?

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ahuster

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 23, 2010
Posts
47
Location
St Charles, MO
I noticed a lot of the TT we have looked at do not have a ladder. Is it necessary or recommended to carry a ladder when camping?
 
How are you going to get up on the roof if you need to check for a leak, look at the TV antenna (maybe you hit an overhanging branch), check caulking, or a myriad of other things?  You need to have something VERY stable that won't tip over and that can handle more than 100 pounds (assumes most adults weigh more than that).

ArdraF
 
RV roofs are not good places to be.

Absolutely correct!  But, sometimes you need to get up there and have no other choice.  Try removing a big awning that has broken.  We were in a parking lot in a rural area on a Sunday morning when everything was closed.  No one else around.  Jerry was on the roof and I was on the ladder.  It was a major struggle but we got it off and were able to continue on our way.  Couldn't have done it without a ladder!  Things like that always happen at the most inconvenient time or place.  Murphy's Law!

ArdraF
 
A friend and forum member didn't want an "ugly" ladder on the rear of his new coach, so he ordered it without the ladder. He subsequently purchased one of those collapsible ladders (the name escapes me) at an RV show so he could get on the roof and wash it. The last few times I've talked to him about it I get the distinct impression he'd order the attached ladder if he was doing it over.
 
The OP specified TTs not motorhomes.  I would not recommend crawling on to the roof of a lightweight TT.  For washing you need a ladder, and I have fine selection at my home where I do my washing.  My TT has no storage for a useful ladder.  In a pinch there is always the bed or tailgate of a tow vehicle.  A convenience not usually available to motorhomers.  :) 
 
when I was rebuilding my 1974 Doge Motorhome (I know it's not a TT) while cleaning up I noticed the 6 foot step ladder fit nicely in the entryway up against the pantry. and thought, hmm that would be good to have with me. I installed 2 hooks and a bungee cord to keep it from falling over while in motion.

the springs on the 30 year old awning were a little weak, while on our maiden 3k trip we noticed it was not wound tightly. out comes the ladder and we unfurl it a bit and hand roll it tight and lock back in place.
we did not use it (the awning) on our trip as we knew it was ready to fail (which it did later). you can never have too many tools. :) or at least know who has the tools you need!

As for getting on the roof, now that I know what it is made of, I would rather hang from a sky hook to do anything to the roof. because mine is and older roof there is no rubber membrane or the like. I find it easiest to simply re paint with sealer each time I have to go up there.
this spring I will have to go up and remove the A/C unit as it will need a bearing replaced this year, it was making an awful noise last year)
 
You could always scrounge/borrow a ladder from one of those 45 ft motor homes that carry everything but  a spare kitchen sink.  ;) ;D  Seriously though, I have a ladder on my fifth but I am almost always at a place where there is someone in the campground, or campground  management, that has a ladder to borrow.
 
If you do decide to buy and stow a ladder the Little Giant is a great ladder.  Folds up smaller than most ladders out there.  I bought one and have used in around and in the house and love it.
 
I have 2 ladders, 3 if you count the one on the coach, (not a TT), and many TT's do not have walkable roofs, so the ladder is just to see the roof.  I just sold in the yard sale one of the 12' collapsable ladders, drope to about 20: square,  Used it for many years.  I wanted self standing to keep, so have the one that fold to a 4" square by 5' long.  Tall and stable. 

Sure, you can almost always borrow one,  but at times that doesn't happen.  Transporting an RV last year in AZ, awning started unfurling, and no amount of messing with it from the ground would do anything, had to get on the roof, and would have been a lot easier to work from underneath.  Wished I had my ladder with me.

 
You only need a ladder if you have to access a high place.. On a RV the mounted ladder is only useful for accessing the roof. Not much of anything else.  You need to access the roof (normally) no more than 2x a year for washing and routine PM work.  More often if you need EM work (Emergency maintenance)

Page 2: The mounted ladder, if it were rated, would likely be a 100 pounder.. that is rated 100 pounds, can safely carry about 200 pounds, no way can it carry my 300 pounds.

I removed my mounted ladder and installed a pair of "J" hooks. these were not exactly made as I desired but are close enough (I wanted a square bottom, the fabricator gave me a rounded bottom)

The J's have 3 holes in the vertical, and are made out of quarter inch aluminum "Diamond" same stuff they make truck bumpers out of.. The bolts either goint solid wood or the one that missed wood is a molly (Small hole going in, very large hole if you pull it out) these hooks take my 300 pounds without complaint..

The ladder that hangs on 'em is a 200 pounder (Tested to at least 2x that) and carries my 300 pounds w/o complaint

The bottom end of the ladder lies against a stainless steel Shower "Grab Bar" from Lowes or Home depot.

Now, the ladder i have is kind of unique, it's a convertable step/extension ladder

In step ladder mode I can reach nearly anywhere on the sides of the motor home when washing and waxing

In extension ladder mode I can easily and safely and COMFORTABLY access the roof (That last word does not apply to a vertical ladder ever)

I'm very happy with it.. I think I uploaded photos to the forum library a couple of years ago.

Oh, The ladder is not as long (when hanging) as the OEM (This means it's harder for kids to climb on it) but if I take my step stool (2 step) and set it below the ladder I can climb up in the "Normal RV" mode..

As a ham radio operator I string a "long wire" antenna, this is a random length (Actually about 100 feet) of wire, one end hooks to an electronic device called an "Auto-Tuner" that tunes the wire for whatever band and frequency I'm using at the moment and the other end is tied to a rope and weight  The tuner is on the back of the rig (it is marine grade and does not mind the weather)

I run the wire up over the top end of the ladder, or over the J hooks

And to get it there I climb the ladder often as not.

Very handy
 
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