Easy safe? Older Folks to get in and out of overcab bed?

[rv4jimnme]

Looking for something creative, thanks...have step stool and grab bars and advice not to use. But still thinking about it..

[CharlesinGA]

Tiger4x4RV wrote:
I can get up to the cabover bed just fine, but have problems coming down. Facing toward back of RV leaves me with nothing to hold onto. Facing toward front has my feet hunting for the ladder. I just sleep downstairs. Safer that way.

My problem also. I didn't consider floor plan, or physical capabilities, before I bought.

The Winnebago ladder is rather narrow and lightweight. The steps kill bare feet at night. Some people have made wide wooden steps to fit on top of the rubber/plastic ones on the ladder, others have used lambswool seat belt covers on the steps to make it easier on the feet. I searched high and low for library ladder kits but they are pricey, although one could be cut down and modified to replace the existing one. Born Free has a nice ladder, but they told me, rather rudely, that I had to own a Born Free to buy parts from them.

Charles

[T18skyguy]

Here is a ladder you can order to whatever height suits you. It is very sturdy with nice wide rungs and light weight too.

[Naio]

winnietrey wrote:
I received my telescoping ladder yesterday. That I mentioned in an earlier post.
Quite pleased with it. It is stable, light, easy to adjust and store. As a side benefit I now have a ladder, that extends to 8ft plus feet, should I ever need such a thing while camping

Glad that all worked out!

[winnietrey]

I received my telescoping ladder yesterday. That I mentioned in an earlier post.
Quite pleased with it. It is stable, light, easy to adjust and store. As a side benefit I now have a ladder, that extends to 8ft plus feet, should I ever need such a thing while camping

[mgirardo]

Our motorhome did not come with a ladder. Dealer told us it was a liability issue, so we bought a rather expensive ladder at the dealership. Fortunately, we received a $50 credit to use in their store when we bought the motorhome, so the ladder only cost us like $15.

Anyway, kids never used the ladder, they just climbed up the dinette. After using the ladder a few times myself, I too started climbing up the dinette. We also have a bunkhouse in our C. Our daughter used slept on the top bunk and she did use the ladder to get up there. Really no other way. She only slept up there for a couple years before she outgrew it. We still have the ladder, but it rarely ever gets used. Although the ladder will support 300lbs, it is not very stable. You would probably be better served with getting a ladder for a residential bunk bed. It would be more stable. In our MH, even a 3 step step stole would not be tall enough to get on the cabover.

-Michael

[rv4jimnme]

Bea PA wrote:
Check out the Winnebago bunk ladders, they have reg steps not rungs, at least ours does. Like you we downsized, no bells and whistles, just something I can drive and room for the great grand kids.

Another thing I like is the sofa and the back dinette have good seat belts so took 2 year old and daughters for drive was fun! She looked cute back there with her feet lounging on the table watching a movie, nice and secure in child seat.

[Bordercollie]

Stalwart has a simple 3-step stool with angled top grab rail, sold by J.C. Penneys. Go to their website. Google Cosco and Rubbermaid they also have some step stools that may be what you want.

Here's a product that might interest you:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I17P8LY?psc=1

[Bordercollie]

I was intrigued by your question and did a Google search with key words "combination ladder and step stool" I found number of folding products with three steps standing about 5 feet tall, some made of aluminum and weighing only 8 pounds. Most have a grab bar at the top. One of these products might satisfy your needs. RV bunk ladders usually have rungs ,not comfortable steps, and simply rest against the upper bunk. For elders with knee and other problems, I would recommend at least a 26 foot Class C with rear bedroom and RV Queen bed for safety and sleeping comfort as well as much more storage and cabinet room. Most have access on one side and at the foot, some have a small bedroom slide that gives access on both sides of bed so you don't have to crawl over your partner to get out of and back into bed in the wee wee hours. I think that short rigs with overhead bunk and convertible dinettes and couches are OK for young couples who can sleep anywhere, not practical for older folks with arthritic knees, back problems and insomnia. RV's always have compromises.

[LifeInsideJack]

I had considered building a Tansu Chest (Google that term) if it came to needing an easier way up into the loft bed. At 53 & 43 and yoga types we can pop up and down with or without the ladder in place. However, if that changed I would consider building this into our coach to provide the way up and down and having a railing on it wouldn't be difficult.

[Bea_PA]

Check out the Winnebago bunk ladders, they have reg steps not rungs, at least ours does. Like you we downsized, no bells and whistles, just something I can drive and room for the great grand kids.

[j-d]

We found an aluminum "RV Bunk Ladder" and were really impressed. Took it back to the coach and it fit well. Problem was, it had "extension ladder" type rungs and they aren't to be climbed in bare/stocking feet. Returned it the next morning. This is why I want bunk ladders to be like, or based on, step ladders. We need the wide rungs for our bare, tender, old feet! Step ladder also widens at the base for a little more stability.

[winnietrey]

Thank you for posting. It got me to thinking how much I dislike our current ladder. Cheapy aluminum thing. Not very stable

Couple years back kids bought me, a Xtend and climb telescoping ladder. 12.5 foot I believe. I have been very impressed with it, for home use.

Just ordered a 750p xtend and climb, for 128, tax, delivered out the door from Amazon. Current ladder step length (side to side) is 10 inches, my at home ladder is 14 inches side to side. That alone will make a huge difference in my up and down comfort.

Something you may want to consider

[j-d]

No reason you can't add something to keep the ladder from sliding down at the feet, or siding sideways at the top. I wish I could see a way to leave a ladder in place most of the time.

For that first coach, we bought a five foot aluminum stepladder and just leaned it in place without opening it. Its top came level with the bed. Easy to climb but no handholds to help on and off of it. In that coach, the Loft had a residential Queen mattress stuffed in. Hard to make up, reduced overhead clearance, but was comfortable. A little (more) difficult to get from Cockpit to House, but it was the older chassis with the shorter doghouse, and there wasn't a step up to get into the House part.

[rv4jimnme]

For me, it's not so much getting up there at night and down in the morning -- it's getting up to pee in the middle of the night. Don't forget to factor that in.

Very good advice and is the major reason that I won't be sleeping up there? its kinda funny when you think of it if you move the ladder we are stuck up there for the most part...so maybe I can get one of those "trucker" urinal things for hubbie :Bsafer than a midnight pit stop????.lol...thanks for the advice