The C we want has no attached roof ladder...

crcr wrote:
The last TT we bought we bought 3 years old, with ladder. Most of the model we decided we wanted had a factory ladder to the roof. A few did not. Our last TT did not have a ladder, and this time, I decided we would not buy one without.

We are not disappointed -- would not buy a TT without a factory ladder, due to the convenience of it. But then again, I only weigh 170 lbs, so I'm nowhere close to pushing the weight limit. And yes, it's not as easy to climb as a free standing ladder, but I don't find it an issue at all.

Personally, we haven't had a problem with kids climbing on it.

I have aluminum step ladders at home to use for waxing the RV and so on, but the factory roof ladder is quite sufficient for us when camping, so we don't have to carry a free standing ladder. I also believe that having a factory ladder on the unit adds utilitarian appeal that would help when time to sell.

I have one of the exact ladder. I still use it regularly. They stopped making them many years ago; I don't know why. I thought it was a great design and an alternative to having to buy a step ladder and an extension ladder. I would buy another one if they were still available.

Ray

standup wrote:
Good, concise responses as usual on this forum. MrWizard, I'm healthy for 62, but have lost balance compared to times of yore. I think one of the lighter telescoping jobs will do. Especially if I have a "spotter" or two.
Rarely need to get up there, but sometimes for general inspection, or a bulb, or to get stuff off the slide, etc. Or for solitude.

Do you think you will need to get on top while camping? If not, just get an 8' step ladder and leave it at home. My TT doesn't have a ladder, and I get on top to cover/uncover all the time. Althought the telescoping ladder sounds like a good idea.

When we break camp, I always climb onto the roof and blow debris off the slide before retracting it (don't have a slide topper) with my small but powerful cordless Makita blower.

wa8yxm wrote:
Having been something of a ladder monkey in my youth.. I would say "GOOD" to an RV with no attached roof ladder, in fact I cut mine off, Here is why:

1: The standard RV roof ladder is a featherweight,,, Now.. a 10 year old it might hold but 300 pounds of sixty year old.. NOT A CHANCE of it holding up the way they mount them.

Second, it is a vertical ladder, very hard to climb, not a bit like a slanted ladder that I used professionally when I did roofing for a living.

What would I recommend,, or to be more precise what do I use?

Well, many moons ago my Dad (May he rest in peace) got a convertable step/extension ladder from Sears. That is what I use when I need to get on the roof as it is long enough (Just) to be a proper roof ladder, Way easier to get on and off and to climb,, But you do need to be careful that it does not blow over unless you have a ground crew.

It also comes in handy (Step mode) for washing and waxing.

For lesser jobs I may use my Telescoping ladder. it is NOT long enough for use as a roof ladder.. but it is still very handy. Collapsed it will fit in at least one suitcase I have. (Provided I remove the portable recording studio first).

Excellent advice and observations!

Spent 30 years climbing ladders.

"Modified" for RV use:

A proper "climbing angle" is to stand at the base of the ladder, when you reach out to the ladder a rung should be at (approx) arm's length away from you - at shoulder height.
Which means the base of the ladder is about 5-6' away from the RV.

If you have a "spotter" (assistant), he/she can stand behind the ladder holding (pulling back on) both ladder rails - or stand at the base with one foot on the bottom rung - firmly pushing inward on the rails. Really important for starting down!

The ladder attached to the RV obviously does *NOT* meet that standard - along with other "failings" - like the attachment/s to the RV.

You don't want "failings" - to turn into "fallings"!.:(
(Neither do I, and I'm 72)

On "the road" if I need one, I use a telescoping ladder - tied off to top of the stationary ladder.
At home I use an extension ladder - also tied off at the top.
(Either one - extended one or two rungs *above* roof level).

IMO - that's all the attached ladder is good for - I *never* use it.

For the RV with no ladder, I would look for (or add) an anchor point to tie off the ladder to the side - close to the top of the RV.
*If* there is also a slide on the *side* of the RV, the slide extended to block one side of movement would be good also.

The roof of an RV is a good place to avoid - if at all possible!.;)

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