Roof access ladder

windtrader · June 18, 2020, 09:46:39 PM

Trying to decide which method to adopt for accessing the roof from the outside. Standalone/folding ladder seems typical but ladders attached onto the rear are appealing. For added security, having the bottom rung 5'-6' up is a reasonable deterrent. Short portable, stowed ladder for access to fixed upper ladder.

Extending ladder is another option but consumes bay storage. The folding ones seem bulky as well. The telescoping design is novel but the standard model cost $$$.

richard5933 · June 19, 2020, 01:57:28 AM

We use a telescoping ladder. Get one longer than you think you need - ours is 16' and is long enough to safely get on the roof. It straps to the side of the bay. You can see the feet to the right of the folding bike in the photo.

bobofthenorth · June 19, 2020, 06:19:09 AM

I got one at an RV salvage and mounted it so that it stopped at the top of the engine doors. Then I carried a 6 foot step ladder sitting on the bumper and strapped to the roof ladder. The step ladder was really handy and got used for everything including occasional roof access.

Jim Blackwood · June 19, 2020, 08:08:18 AM

I'm thinking about using the emergency exits for roof access. No more than I will use it, maybe I can even build steps (shelves) into the cabinetry. I also plan to install ventilators of some type in the hatches themselves and something to prevent them from opening all the way to where they lay on the roof. Makes them hard to close from inside. Possibly gas struts could work.

Jim

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · June 19, 2020, 10:44:43 AM

How about this?

Jim Blackwood · June 19, 2020, 12:12:36 PM

Sure, and you could loop the belay line around your roof air.

Jim

Dave5Cs · June 19, 2020, 03:23:41 PM

Don
Real close to you on West Elcamino. He will have most of the RV parts you think you ever need. He have many ladders up on the wall in the back. You can go through the place and make sure you go upstairs too. New and used parts.

http://rvdoctorgeorge.com/parts/

windtrader · June 19, 2020, 07:46:02 PM

@richard - It seems of the extending ladders, the style you have is most compact but also more costly.

@bob - your setup is what I am considering but I'm still trying to squeeze a few more quarters for a folder but cheap is hard to break.A simple extending ladder might be an option but storing is not great.
@Jim - There is a roof vent for access but mostly for emergency escape, not for main roof access. Dragging tools and supplies through the bedroom and jumping on the bed are at best a rare event in my coach.
@Dave - definitively will check out RV service/parts ally on W El Camino. Thanks

dtcerrato · June 19, 2020, 08:24:21 PM

We have the permanently mounted fold down steps (4) on our bus with a grab handle on the roof. The rear tire gets you started off the ground to the 1st fold down step. It's great cause it's always there & ready to climb.

windtrader · June 19, 2020, 09:26:09 PM

Dan, I can't see the ladder on the bus?

richard5933 · June 20, 2020, 04:20:05 AM

Any type of permanently mounted ladder is going to be limited in its value. It will only serve to get you on the roof. That's all.

True, the telescoping ladder cost a few dollars, but to me the added value made it worth while. If you can only get on top of the bus with your ladder, it will be useless when you have to work on things which are not on the roof but which are still too high to reach from the ground. I've used my dozens of times to do things like reseal under marker lights, replace bulbs, etc. It also comes in handy when I need a ladder at a campground to hang a light from a tree or trim a branch which is in our way.

dtcerrato · June 20, 2020, 06:33:25 AM

10-4 on permanent vs. portable. We stow a three step fold down stool that can reach anything on the bus below the roof line. As far as the bus " roof access ladder" is concerned - from the bus roof standpoint permanent is invaluable. Portability is peripheral to this post's title. When on the home front near the bus barn we have our choice of ladders from 2' step ladder to 40' extension ladders. We toot a different horn when traveling...

dtcerrato · June 20, 2020, 06:46:50 AM

WT look between the rear awning arm and the long sliding window. There are three small fold down steps on the side wall above the rear duals, another small fold down step on the roof curvature, and a grab handle farther up from the top fold down step on the curvature. The steps are unfolded as you climb up on the roof and folded back against the body on the way down if it's only one trip. The steps are spring loaded to hold either the fold down or fold up position. We love them. No storage needed. They're right there where they belong and IMO don't degrade esthetics at all - in fact they are quite the conversation point during their use otherwise they are hardly noticable! Lol

lostagain · June 20, 2020, 07:24:18 AM

I recently bought a used 13.5' telescoping ladder for less than half new price at an auction. I also see them occasionally on FB Marketplace. Keep an eye out for one.

I used to carry an 8' ladder in the baggage tank against the wall. Hardly uses any space.

A little 3' step ladder is handy too.

JC

DoubleEagle · June 20, 2020, 07:58:28 AM

Quote from: windtrader on June 19, 2020, 09:26:09 PM
Dan, I can't see the ladder on the bus?

Dan's system of fold down steps is very discrete, and will keep slackard's from climbing up on the roof. Those fold-downs were used in one of my Eagles for getting into the bunks inside.