Forum Discussion

johnwalkerpa1's avatar
johnwalkerpa1
Explorer
Feb 04, 2014

Fold-Down Ladder

I have been thinking about attached rear ladders.

I am too fat to climb the rear ladder of my class C but not too fat to get on the roof with a separate ladder. So, I carry a ladder with me that I can use to get up there so I don't have to worry about bolts popping out when I climb the attached ladder.

Has anyone ever made (or thought of) an attached ladder that folds down to touch the ground? My thought was that such a thing could put most of the weight on the ground rather than hanging off the rear of the RV. The advantage of still being attached is both stability and storage.

Seems like someone else would have thought of it by now and tried it unless there is some negative that I haven't considered...
Class C
  • hotbyte's avatar
    hotbyte
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2014
    Very interesting idea. It shouldn't be too difficulty to adapt a support for existing ladders that could either fold/flip down or store attached to ladder like folks do now with step ladders and chairs. You might could even store it between ladder and rear cap so chairs/stepladder could still be stored toward rear side of ladder.
  • hotbyte's avatar
    hotbyte
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2014
    Another thought would be to extend or fold down just enough to get support from rear bumper...
  • Turbo_Diesel_Du's avatar
    Turbo_Diesel_Du
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2014
    At 5'10" and 332 lbs, I consider myself "fluffy" and not fat LOL. Actually mine comes from medication due to a heart condition. Next week my Doctor is going to do some explorotory work to see why the right side of my heart is weak.
  • Jim_Shoe's avatar
    Jim_Shoe
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2014
    I'm about your size, and I too consider myself 'fluffy' instead of fat. Here's what you need. Four separate sections that can be moved into almost any shape.
  • johnwalkerpa1's avatar
    johnwalkerpa1
    Explorer
    Feb 05, 2014
    Jim Shoe wrote:
    I'm about your size, and I too consider myself 'fluffy' instead of fat. Here's what you need. Four separate sections that can be moved into almost any shape.


    Yes, that is about the same as what I carry now. Works well but was hoping for something to permanently mount to the rear and swing down. Although, there is more flexibility in that type, for sure..
  • johnwalkerpa1's avatar
    johnwalkerpa1
    Explorer
    Feb 05, 2014
    Turbo Diesel Dude wrote:
    At 5'10" and 332 lbs, I consider myself "fluffy" and not fat LOL. Actually mine comes from medication due to a heart condition. Next week my Doctor is going to do some explorotory work to see why the right side of my heart is weak.


    LOL! Well, I never considered myself fluffy but maybe 'lumpy' would apply :)
  • johnwalkerpa1's avatar
    johnwalkerpa1
    Explorer
    Feb 05, 2014
    Bobbo wrote:
    Mine came that way from the factory.


    Interesting! So someone has made them then. I will have to look into that.

    Or as others have mentioned, it wouldn't be too hard to make one. The trickiest part is that it would almost need to fold twice so that the bulk of the weight goes from the top to the ground...otherwise most of the weight (other than the bottom few feet) is still hanging on the rear wall.
  • pnichols's avatar
    pnichols
    Explorer II
    Feb 05, 2014
    Hmmm .... but how do you get OFF that ladder and onto the roof, and even more tricky ... get off the roof and BACK ONTO that ladder??

    When I get up unto our RV roof it's to crawl around on hands and knees so as to wax it or repair something, so I have to be "fully up there" ... so to speak. I can't be only reaching over a couple of feet from a ladder I'm standing on along side the coach.

    I'm only around 230 lbs., but have never felt like the ladder that Winnie installed on the back was going to pull out - it has never become loose at all in eight years of use. I think that the ladder is (had better be) securely fastened to the aluminum framing inside the coach walls.
  • TARDIS_TIME_TRA's avatar
    TARDIS_TIME_TRA
    Explorer
    Feb 05, 2014
    We are really strapped for space in the Tardis so we carry a pop up ladder for access to the top. It stores behind the driver seat. Meets our needs and can be extended higher than I normally need. Can be purchased at Northern Tool & Supply & some Camping World stores. Hope this gives you another angle on your problem...Dave

    Retracted or Stowed Position

    Extended Position..Note at the bottom there are more rungs to extend if needed

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