Ladder

[Yardvarkers]

I own a Jayco with a rear ladder. I don't feel safe when useing it to get on top for inspection/repair of my EPDM roof and seals. I'd like to have a good step ladder. Also, would it harm the edge of the camper to lean a step ladder on the edge?
Thanks for any and all replies.
CM

[loulou57]

Yardvarkers wrote:
I can't use the attached ladder because I'm 62 and I fell, breaking two ribs last year.I just need to know if there is an easier way to get on top of the roof.
Thanks for any and all replies.

Sorry to hear about your accident. I can understand your concern about the ladder. I hope I didn't offend you asking, sorry. Hopefully someone can help you with a ladder that will work for you.

[WayneAt63044]

Thanks, K_and_I, for the recall notice. The numbers in the recall don't match my ladder labeling so I guess mine was manufactured prior to whatever changes Krause made to elicit the recall. I haven't crushed a gutter yet so no need for anyone to worry about that.

[K_and_I]

WayneAt63044 wrote:
I use a Krause Model 121321 12' 300 lbs. folding ladder with a single hinge (lighter than multiple hinge ladders and folds to 6' which fits inside my closed truck bed). I'm 71, 240 lbs. and lean it against the street side gutter to access the roof. I've been using this since 1996 and hope they are still available. Bought it at a local hardware store (big box? cannot remember); made in Roscoe, IL. It is a narrow ladder (14") but has a 31" crossbar at the bottom for stability. I use mine without the crossbar as Krause sent me a couple of extra feet at no charge.

I did a search on that ladder as it sounded interesting. What I found is that they have done a recall on some of them due to failures and injuries. You may not be affected if you bought yours in 1996, but it's worth checking out.

Ladder recall

[Keith_Haw]

On a side note, you might want to be careful if your using one of those multi folding ladders. I have a cousin that shattered his wrist a couple years ago when one collapsed on him. He wasn't over weight, for the ladder anyway, the locking joints just gave. And it was a fairly new ladder to. Just a word of warning.

[MackinawMan]

Yardvarkers wrote:


I wanted to try a tall extension ladder, climb on my slide out roof and then the roof of TT. I am concerned with damaging the edge of the slide out or TT roof. I also considered using a folding laddder to gain access to the slide top.

I'm not an expert but I'm pretty sure climbing on the roof of the slide out would be a bad idea. I mean your weight on the slide wouldn't be a big deal at all obviously, but I don't know if the roof of the slide would support you or not.

I'd do some research before trying it.

[samsontdog]

I was at a consignment place and a Guy climbed part way up the ladder on the back of the TT, the ladder broke loose from the TT, the Guy fell on his back.
They called rescue and carted him away. I use a 12 ft "A" ladder to wash my TT

[Yardvarkers]

MackinawMan wrote:
What about the ladder made you fall? I'm just curious, that might help us with suggestions.

We have a 2008 Jayco Eagle with the ladder on the back and honestly I like it better than putting my step ladder along side. I like the bars at the very top to grab ahold of and pull myself onto the roof and to grab hold of when getting onto the ladder to go down.

I suppose a long enough step ladder would do the trick. I don't like leaning the ladder on the side due to the gutter. I'm afraid I might smash it, etc.

I wanted to try a tall extension ladder, climb on my slide out roof and then the roof of TT. I am concerned with damaging the edge of the slide out or TT roof. I also considered using a folding laddder to gain access to the slide top.

[MackinawMan]

What about the ladder made you fall? I'm just curious, that might help us with suggestions.

We have a 2008 Jayco Eagle with the ladder on the back and honestly I like it better than putting my step ladder along side. I like the bars at the very top to grab ahold of and pull myself onto the roof and to grab hold of when getting onto the ladder to go down.

I suppose a long enough step ladder would do the trick. I don't like leaning the ladder on the side due to the gutter. I'm afraid I might smash it, etc.

[Vvvv1010]

I feel safe using the Jayco rear ladder, but I still prefer using an "A" ladder to get up to very top and then I step off onto the Jayco ladder and get myself onto the roof.

I can see and understand why you are very cautious. A gust of wind, small slip or trip, etc. can cause some very serious injuries. Take your time and be careful!!

[beemerphile1]

Yardvarkers wrote:
...would it harm the edge of the camper to lean a step ladder on the edge....

Yes, you can scratch it at the least and cut the rubber roofing at the worst. Use foam pipe insulation or pool noodles to protect the RV.

[spike99]

For me, I don't feel the factory rear ladder on our Jayco TT was that super strong either. At my seasonal site, I used a very large step ladder. Ladder never touched the side of the trailer. I only used the Jayco's rear step ladder on emergencies. Then again, my body weight is in obese weight range. This works for me...

[goducks10]

If you use an extension ladder make sure you run it 3' above the roof. Put something on the edge of the roof where the ladder makes contact or you'll scratch the paint off the trim. IMO the TT's ladder is way safer. It's solid and won't slide. An extension ladder call slide sideways easily.

On our last TT we had no ladder. I used an extension ladder. I had to be 2x as careful getting off and on the roof. A fixed ladder is safer.

OSHA requires that extension ladders to be tied off at the top for a reason. If you lean to one side it will flip on you. Heard of too many accidents while in construction to be leery of them.

My advice is that if you use an extension ladder is to have someone hold the bottom while you climb it.

[Dick_B]

Other than bad memories what is to say you won't fall off the separate ladder? Do you have to get up on the roof?

[WayneAt63044]

I use a Krause Model 121321 12' 300 lbs. folding ladder with a single hinge (lighter than multiple hinge ladders and folds to 6' which fits inside my closed truck bed). I'm 71, 240 lbs. and lean it against the street side gutter to access the roof. I've been using this since 1996 and hope they are still available. Bought it at a local hardware store (big box? cannot remember); made in Roscoe, IL. It is a narrow ladder (14") but has a 31" crossbar at the bottom for stability. I use mine without the crossbar as Krause sent me a couple of extra feet at no charge.