Something Ive always wanted, folding ladder, but could never justify cost, storing, just no real practical need.
However recently installed WiFi then cell antennas and realized if I had an auxiliary ladder I wouldn't need to get on
roof to raise. Margaret agreed so picked a GP Logistics SLD-D7 Double Sided Folding Ladder - 7' ladder.
These fold like a standard step ladder but also fold at mid of rungs collapsing to 3 1/4" X 4 1/4" X 7'.
To mount I placed on bumper against campers ladder.
Made a small box to capture bottom of ladder rails.
Bent an aluminum bar to secure with extra Torklift lock. Also using ratchet to snug against rattling.
Surprisingly worked out well, functional, easy to retrieve and replace. But...
Other than appearance, couple of other things I don't like. Primarily its location, living out side exposed to the
elements, road wash. Second is it will need to be removed to access the generator, or retrieve the scooter ramp.
It totally blocks the porch light, and we can no longer carry the factory flip over step. Its used to access main ladder.
Functional, but day to day I think it will be a pain.
Looking at options decided if I rearranged the stuff in basement tray it might live in there. Wouldn't be as
convenient, but then I noted the area between the tray and generator, again. Ive always wondered about the
space.
Probably 2/3rds of our campers basement area is unused, inaccessible.
From an older thread-discussion was about utilizing some of this space with marine type floor deck lid.
Never persued but now looking again..
All I would need is door large enough for ladder (red) and pretty confident the space between tray and
generator is empty (green). Though not enough to cut wall and find out it isn't.
Then it occurred to me, Removing the tray I could cut an access hole thru divider wall, poke a camera inside
and see to verify.
I hate jig saws. Cutting blind, blade took off, Ill clean this up later, cut another piece of ply
with a hole to reinforce.
Access hole...
Max length due to captcha- continued
Continued
Camera in hand- there's the generator box...
Hoo whoo- as I assumed and hoping, free and clear.
Except at rear where generator box protrudes into space by 2 1/2", the space is 14" wide x 8" better than 9' deep.
Then I poked a stiff wire from tray door side thru the bead board, it went all the way to generator so no vertical studs in wall...
Got on line-found a JR Products door. Same as our electric cord door less the vermin slot.
Outside Dimensions: 8-1/2โ height x 8โ width, Cutout Dimensions: 6-7/8โ height x 6-3/8โ width
Removed the tank drain and handrail and roughed in hole. Door should be here tomorrow.
Making a new aluminum quick release mount for handrail mount, other than rusting away, blocked door opening.
Pull pin, open new door and slide out the ladder. Once door on adding a block of wood behind so ladder
doesn't ride on door frame and acts as a stop if ladder should slide toward it.
Lot of silly details but this will be worth the effort.
The drain line temporarily running into generator box so it can dump on the ground. Mounted valve to an
angle brace, added short down line. Eventually rerouting from tank to exit front of camper.
Moves the hose into inside corner of ladder box out of the way. Still will add 1x2 'guide' w/some blocks to
protect hose. Pondering how to easily shorten depth by about 18".
Pouring down rain so kinda on hold...
Door arrived, Somehow in factory sealed package its the wrong door, has cord cut out.
Already rained twice with hole in wall I superglued it shut, installed
Some butyl and a few screws. Added notched plate out of PTF to 'guide' ladder in and not catch on door frame.
Not too shabby...
! Ladder in
Need to make some temporary stops to keep ladder from sliding forward and over to drain hose.
The forward issue though I'm leaning toward installing a floor hatch. Could build a bulkhead to stop ladder thru it.
Utilize new hatch to store tool box that's constantly shuffled between camper floor on road and truck when camped.
Appealing but scabbing something together for now. Maybe put on the round toit I wont cut my floor:)
Some cleanup and few details yet but check out my new 7' ladder!
I looked at the scooter ramp, there is room for it but hinged end wont fit thru door.
Margarets comment was 'too bad the Pooh bucket wont go in there'. Doh!
That didn't work...Spent couple of hours trying to assemble something thru 6" hole- just not practical or effective.
13x17, 10 1/2x15 cutout, Floor hatch on order.
captcha max
Camera in hand- there's the generator box...
Hoo whoo- as I assumed and hoping, free and clear.
Except at rear where generator box protrudes into space by 2 1/2", the space is 14" wide x 8" better than 9' deep.
Then I poked a stiff wire from tray door side thru the bead board, it went all the way to generator so no vertical studs in wall...
Got on line-found a JR Products door. Same as our electric cord door less the vermin slot.
Outside Dimensions: 8-1/2โ height x 8โ width, Cutout Dimensions: 6-7/8โ height x 6-3/8โ width
Removed the tank drain and handrail and roughed in hole. Door should be here tomorrow.
Making a new aluminum quick release mount for handrail mount, other than rusting away, blocked door opening.
Pull pin, open new door and slide out the ladder. Once door on adding a block of wood behind so ladder
doesn't ride on door frame and acts as a stop if ladder should slide toward it.
Lot of silly details but this will be worth the effort.
The drain line temporarily running into generator box so it can dump on the ground. Mounted valve to an
angle brace, added short down line. Eventually rerouting from tank to exit front of camper.
Moves the hose into inside corner of ladder box out of the way. Still will add 1x2 'guide' w/some blocks to
protect hose. Pondering how to easily shorten depth by about 18".
Pouring down rain so kinda on hold...
Door arrived, Somehow in factory sealed package its the wrong door, has cord cut out.
Already rained twice with hole in wall I superglued it shut, installed
Some butyl and a few screws. Added notched plate out of PTF to 'guide' ladder in and not catch on door frame.
Not too shabby...
! Ladder in
Need to make some temporary stops to keep ladder from sliding forward and over to drain hose.
The forward issue though I'm leaning toward installing a floor hatch. Could build a bulkhead to stop ladder thru it.
Utilize new hatch to store tool box that's constantly shuffled between camper floor on road and truck when camped.
Appealing but scabbing something together for now. Maybe put on the round toit I wont cut my floor:)
Some cleanup and few details yet but check out my new 7' ladder!
I looked at the scooter ramp, there is room for it but hinged end wont fit thru door.
Margarets comment was 'too bad the Pooh bucket wont go in there'. Doh!
That didn't work...Spent couple of hours trying to assemble something thru 6" hole- just not practical or effective.
13x17, 10 1/2x15 cutout, Floor hatch on order.
captcha max
