Skylight door for easy access to roof?

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Oranjoose

Oranjoose

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Joined
Jan 23, 2021
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Hi all, my RV doesn't have a ladder since it has a garage door (but it is rated to walk on), and so I'm trying to think of clever ways to be able to get on the roof that is as quick, safe, and space-saving as possible.

One thought I had was to adapt or replace a skylight with some kind of ceiling door to be able to climb on the roof from within the coach. Something like this could make it easy to get on the roof with a smaller ladder, or even no ladder if the skylight is accessible from a top bunk or loft.

Have any of you seen a product like this, or a DIY project that someone you've seen has performed to do this? I figure that at least one challenge would be keeping the roof well sealed from leaks.
 
I've seen many toy haulers with ladders mounted on the side.

Oops! Forgot to include the photo...
 

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NY_Dutch said:
I've seen many toy haulers with ladders mounted on the side.
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Thanks for the response. Unfortunately mine does not. I figure that bolting a ladder to the side of the RV might be actually just as complicated to figure out than a skylight door solution, since with a ladder I'd be puncturing the outer material, and I'd have to ensure that it would hold that kind of weight at that angle, and that leaks wouldn't form around the ladder's bolts.
 
Oranjoose said:
Thanks for the response. Unfortunately mine does not. I figure that bolting a ladder to the side of the RV might be actually just as complicated to figure out than a skylight door solution, since with a ladder I'd be puncturing the outer material, and I'd have to ensure that it would hold that kind of weight at that angle, and that leaks wouldn't form around the ladder's bolts.
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An easier option would be to just carry one of the several collapsible ladders on the market.

 
Another vote for a telescoping ladder, I have one that is an Xtend + Climb 785P, even though I have a ladder mounted to my coach, I find the telescoping one handy to have to get to things like the front clearance lights, etc.
 
NY_Dutch said:
An easier option would be to just carry one of the several collapsible ladders on the market.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the good suggestion. I suppose that thing wouldn't take up too much storage or weight. If I'm really brave I could maybe find a way to strap it to the spare wheel.

However, what are your thoughts about extension ladders leaning against the rv in general? I'd be afraid of somehow busting a seam on the roof to wall connection. Now I'm being paranoid.

I'm still a bit curious about the idea of a skylight door. If nothing else I'd feel like a ninja turtle.

Thanks again.
 
I use the ladder on the back of my coach to carry a 16' extension ladder. I've noticed that when I lean the extension ladder against the side of the coach, it rides on the metal track that is riveted down to hold the rubber roof on. Doesn't contact either the rubber or the fiberglass sides. If I have to lean it against the rear of the coach, there is a metal trim piece there to take the weight. If I have to lean it against the front fiberglass cap, I use the 2 pieces of foam pipe insulation that I have cut to cover the wiper blades and just "clip" them on the ladder where it contacts the coach.
 
Oranjoose said:
Thanks for the good suggestion. I suppose that thing wouldn't take up too much storage or weight. If I'm really brave I could maybe find a way to strap it to the spare wheel.

However, what are your thoughts about extension ladders leaning against the rv in general? I'd be afraid of somehow busting a seam on the roof to wall connection. Now I'm being paranoid.

I'm still a bit curious about the idea of a skylight door. If nothing else I'd feel like a ninja turtle.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
I'm sure the skylight door is doable, but you'll still need some sort of ladder inside to reach it I expect. As said, leaning a ladder against the side of the RV isn't an issue with appropriate protections.
 
We cut up a pool noodle and put a slit in it then slid it on the legs of the ladder where they rest against the side of the RV.
Vicki
 
I have a side ladder on my toy hauler. I actually wish it hadn't come with one. It does collapse to the side when not in use, but I very seldom use it. It's too vertical and just doesn't feel safe. Plus, getting on it is a pain. Almost 3 feet to the bottom rung. At home I use one of the collapsible ladders.
 
shorts said:
We cut up a pool noodle and put a slit in it then slid it on the legs of the ladder where they rest against the side of the RV.
Vicki
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Yup, same principle as the pipe insulation I use. I happened to have the pipe insulation in the garage when I needed it.
 
I see an advantage to your skylight opening, in the event of an accident where the trailer rolls over the roof "escape hatch" might be a lifesaver. The trick to this is how to prevent it from leaking.
 
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How about something like a bus escape hatch? Usually see them on bus roofs for escape if a rollover. Saw a picture on another forum that he installed one in a toy hauler fifth wheel bunk for access to his roof. Short ladder was all he needed.
 
Strangely enough, I have a sunroof over my front bunk. It is about 20x30" and opens up enough to stand on the bunk and stick half of your body in it and reach things on the roof. It came with my Fleetwood Tioga Ranger, and seals fine. I hardly ever use it, however, because it requires unfolding my overcab bunk and getting the ladder out to climb up on it. It also is too bright during the day. If I chose to use it, it does have a sliding screen to keep bugs out.
 
RRR said:
How about something like a bus escape hatch? Usually see them on bus roofs for escape if a rollover. Saw a picture on another forum that he installed one in a toy hauler fifth wheel bunk for access to his roof. Short ladder was all he needed.
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What, really? Do you remember where you saw this?

A couple updates. I bought one of those telescoping ladders, and I think I might just double it as the loft ladder, replacing the old one. I'll have to see how that works out.

Something I noticed though when I was on the roof was that the loft skylight does indeed have a hinge, which allows for at least cracking it open. I didn't want to test it out, since it was around freezing temperature, and I didn't want to risk breaking any brittle plastic due to the cold.

I might go back when it's a bit warmer to see if that hinge can open all the way, or if it's designed to only crack open.

Having an escape does sound like a good safety feature on top of how I'd like to use it. Having another viable escape can be a good thing for a number of weird, but rare scenarios I can imagine up if I let my mind wander a bit (zombie apocalypse anyone?).
 
never seen a toy hauler without a ladder - very strange what is the make and model because you may be able to get an aftermarket one
 
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