Bought a wonderful little class C today. However, when we got home we discovered neither one of us could get into the over cab bed without being a Gymnastic expert or much younger than us. First Hubbie went up to get a spider but could not find any way to get turned around to put his feet on the ladder to get down as there is no head room. so you must have a hand hold as you stoop over to try and find purchase for your feet. Finally got him down by guiding his fee to part of the dinette and holding on to him. The ladder is useless for us. so I tried it..I could get my first step but needed to hang on to his shoulder to make it the rest of the way down. He wants to configure steps or what have you. but I think its just not made for an older adult. I have had 3 class C's and all I could just jump down no problem....no ladder, or put one foot on the dinette for leverage...We obviously made a mistake as we need that bed, for now we can make dinette bed but that area is useless and I want to make it work? The newer class C's the bed came down just above the front seat level so I believe that would have been a shorter manageable distance. Any help or ideas appreciated. Maybe we just got old and did not realize it? but I am so disappointed we did not consider this so hopefully if you are "older" you will not make the same mistake we did. So I post this for your information as well as mine. Thanks!

What Class C is it? Brand/model

Don't get discouraged! (And erase that three-lettered O-word from your vocabulary!)It will get easier with practice. Once you figure out which method/route is best for you, you'll develop muscle memory and will know intuitively where your feet need to be to get out of bed safely.Instead of (or in addition to) the ladder, a grab bar might help. Or maybe a pole type(hmmm...maybe use it like a fire house pole? :B)Congrats on your new camper. I hope you have many safe and happy adventures in it.

We dumped the little ladder (which in addition to being hard to use, hurt your bare feet when going up and down) and replaced it with a lightweight, folding, three step ladder. Big wide steps get us up there and give far more balance and control. Plus, when coming down from the bed the big steps are a much easier target than a ladder step. The step ladder folds and sits on the bed when not in use, just like the original ladder. We found the step ladder at home depot. It costs a little more for the super light weight aluminum version but it is worth it when folding it up and lifting it up onto the bed.

Old-Biscuit wrote:What Class C is it? Brand/modelFleetwood Tioga Model 22BThanks for the encouragement I appreciate it, not sure what we will do with it now, I guess take it to the beach as planned!

Practice makes perfect. Just do it. :)Enjoy your Tioga.

Planning on Using the Cab Overhead Bed? We cannot use it!

rv4jimnme
Explorer
Aug 30, 2015
toedtoes wrote:
rv4jimnme wrote:
Oldme wrote:
rv4jimnme wrote:
Oldme wrote:
I just take practice.
I will be 68 next week and at 230# can get up/down the bunk with no problem.
It took practice.

He will get the hang of it.

Seriously? wow this is the most encouraging post yet maybe you are very physically fit? How much head room do you have? we do hot have enough to sit up that's the problem you have to slither around on your belly? lol thanks

" seriously how is this the most encouraging..." well if that is
your attitude NOTHING will be encouraging.

The bunk is to sleep in not sit-up and read a book in.
My 6' 230# and move around switch ends and climb up and down.
If you make an effort to utilize the space you will find it works
and HOW it works.

If not you have the jack couch, dinette and floor available.

You asked a question.
I answered it.

jEEZ I just wondered how you moved your self around.and yes given your size I did indeed find that the MOST ENCOURAGING ..thanks to all who were helpful I will now end this its getting "OLD!" unsubscribed

rv4jimnme - I think it was the "Seriously?" comment. Many people use that term as an "I don't believe you expect me to believe what you're saying" and that put the next sentence "wow, this is the most encouraging post yet maybe you are very physically fit?" as being more sarcastic than appreciative. With your latest post, that wasn't how it was meant, but that's the problem with the written word - it's up for the reader to interpret emotion and intent without facial or tonal clues.

Oh sorry I would never post something hateful or insinuate that someone is not telling the truth I genuinely felt of all the posts that if "old Me" could do it then boy there is hope for me not being the most petite person in the world. Thanks again not only all the advice EVERONE but setting me straight on when to use the word seriously.
Naio
Explorer II
Aug 30, 2015
toedtoes wrote:
rv4jimnme wrote:
Oldme wrote:
rv4jimnme wrote:
Oldme wrote:
I just take practice.
I will be 68 next week and at 230# can get up/down the bunk with no problem.
It took practice.

He will get the hang of it.

Seriously? wow this is the most encouraging post yet maybe you are very physically fit? How much head room do you have? we do hot have enough to sit up that's the problem you have to slither around on your belly? lol thanks

" seriously how is this the most encouraging..." well if that is
your attitude NOTHING will be encouraging.

The bunk is to sleep in not sit-up and read a book in.
My 6' 230# and move around switch ends and climb up and down.
If you make an effort to utilize the space you will find it works
and HOW it works.

If not you have the jack couch, dinette and floor available.

You asked a question.
I answered it.

jEEZ I just wondered how you moved your self around.and yes given your size I did indeed find that the MOST ENCOURAGING ..thanks to all who were helpful I will now end this its getting "OLD!" unsubscribed

rv4jimnme - I think it was the "Seriously?" comment. Many people use that term as an "I don't believe you expect me to believe what you're saying" and that put the next sentence "wow, this is the most encouraging post yet maybe you are very physically fit?" as being more sarcastic than appreciative. With your latest post, that wasn't how it was meant, but that's the problem with the written word - it's up for the reader to interpret emotion and intent without facial or tonal clues.

Yeah.

I read rv4jimnme's post originally as very nice and appreciative.

Then when Oldme came back I figured he must have read something wrong.

Morel of the story: When you think you are being insulted, double check before you get mad.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Aug 30, 2015
rv4jimnme wrote:
Oldme wrote:
rv4jimnme wrote:
Oldme wrote:
I just take practice.
I will be 68 next week and at 230# can get up/down the bunk with no problem.
It took practice.

He will get the hang of it.

Seriously? wow this is the most encouraging post yet maybe you are very physically fit? How much head room do you have? we do hot have enough to sit up that's the problem you have to slither around on your belly? lol thanks

" seriously how is this the most encouraging..." well if that is
your attitude NOTHING will be encouraging.

The bunk is to sleep in not sit-up and read a book in.
My 6' 230# and move around switch ends and climb up and down.
If you make an effort to utilize the space you will find it works
and HOW it works.

If not you have the jack couch, dinette and floor available.

You asked a question.
I answered it.

jEEZ I just wondered how you moved your self around.and yes given your size I did indeed find that the MOST ENCOURAGING ..thanks to all who were helpful I will now end this its getting "OLD!" unsubscribed

rv4jimnme - I think it was the "Seriously?" comment. Many people use that term as an "I don't believe you expect me to believe what you're saying" and that put the next sentence "wow, this is the most encouraging post yet maybe you are very physically fit?" as being more sarcastic than appreciative. With your latest post, that wasn't how it was meant, but that's the problem with the written word - it's up for the reader to interpret emotion and intent without facial or tonal clues.
rv4jimnme
Explorer
Aug 30, 2015
Oldme wrote:
rv4jimnme wrote:
Oldme wrote:
I just take practice.
I will be 68 next week and at 230# can get up/down the bunk with no problem.
It took practice.

He will get the hang of it.

Seriously? wow this is the most encouraging post yet maybe you are very physically fit? How much head room do you have? we do hot have enough to sit up that's the problem you have to slither around on your belly? lol thanks

" seriously how is this the most encouraging..." well if that is
your attitude NOTHING will be encouraging.

The bunk is to sleep in not sit-up and read a book in.
My 6' 230# and move around switch ends and climb up and down.
If you make an effort to utilize the space you will find it works
and HOW it works.

If not you have the jack couch, dinette and floor available.

You asked a question.
I answered it.

jEEZ I just wondered how you moved your self around.and yes given your size I did indeed find that the MOST ENCOURAGING ..thanks to all who were helpful I will now end this its getting "OLD!" unsubscribed
j-d
Explorer II
Aug 29, 2015
OP - I haven't seen a coach like yours, but it seems to me that if you have only a 4" step up from cockpit to house:
1. A four-foot ladder won't serve, you'd need a five-foot or a cut-down six-foot, which would give you wider steps but take up more room.
2. You have a lower "loft" than a coach with a higher step up, say 12". We rented a C with a high loft and it was possible to sit up in.
The C we started with had a very low loft and was a high climb AND hard to do things like make up the bed because there was very little headroom. Admittedly, the residential mattress we used cost us a few inches there.
I like the plan detailed above, starting with a wooden ladder, modifying it, securing in place, and adding grip handles.
Still, if you find you can't manage, comfortably, safely, please don't force it. Can't have a major injury doing something that's supposed to be fun.
Oldme
Explorer
Aug 29, 2015
rv4jimnme wrote:
Oldme wrote:
I just take practice.
I will be 68 next week and at 230# can get up/down the bunk with no problem.
It took practice.

He will get the hang of it.

Seriously? wow this is the most encouraging post yet maybe you are very physically fit? How much head room do you have? we do hot have enough to sit up that's the problem you have to slither around on your belly? lol thanks

Maybe I am physically fit.
Maybe my arthritis and COPD does not stop me.
I have the same room as everyone else.
We at 11'6" our outside side height at highest point.

" seriously how is this the most encouraging..." well if that is
your attitude NOTHING will be encouraging.

The bunk is to sleep in not sit-up and read a book in.
My 6' 230# and move around switch ends and climb up and down.
If you make an effort to utilize the space you will find it works
and HOW it works.

If not you have the jack couch, dinette and floor available.

You asked a question.
I answered it.
BillHoughton
Explorer II
Aug 29, 2015
Unless one of our sons finally gets around to producing grandchildren, we'll be using the overhead as storage for blankets and the like.
navegator
Explorer
Aug 29, 2015
We are not as nimble as we used to be, so i purchased a wood ladder, cut it to the correct length and attached it with slide bolts, also installed a hand hold for balance in front of the ac, also installed a couple of fences to hold the mattress while we slide out of bed facing to the rear of the RV, as a boat bunk bed.

Since the ladder and the mattress do not move it is a matter of holding on to the handhold and stepping down, I id not like the small kitchen type ladder that the dealer suggested or the flimsy miniature rungs of the boat ladders.

Granted the cab over bed is a bit hard to get in and out, having the proper ladder and a balance hand hold it becomes less of a hassle, we have enjoyed ours for the last 15 years.

navegator
Naio
Explorer II
Aug 29, 2015
Maybe look into a yoga or water exercise class for older/arthritic people. It will help your health and your mobility in general.

But I agree that you should not go up in the bunk if it doesn't feel safe to you. Trust your instincts. Especially, as someone said, if you have to get up in the night and are climbing over your spouse while groggy and feeling for the ladder in the dark... that's not worth the risk.

So my thought is: First get your flexibility and agility tuned up, and THEN try the loft :).
rv4jimnme
Explorer
Aug 29, 2015
Oldme wrote:
I just take practice.
I will be 68 next week and at 230# can get up/down the bunk with no problem.
It took practice.

He will get the hang of it.

Seriously? wow this is the most encouraging post yet maybe you are very physically fit? How much head room do you have? we do hot have enough to sit up that's the problem you have to slither around on your belly? lol thanks

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