Roof access ladder

dtcerrato · June 20, 2020, 09:14:07 AM

DE thanks
Forgot to mention that the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd steps (if you need that many) prior to stepping on the first fold down step is - 1 - bottom of tire rim, 2 - top of hub cover, & 3 - top of tire... then onto the first fold down step. They've been on the bus for 40 years.

Jim Blackwood · June 20, 2020, 09:52:20 AM

I guess if you spend a lot of time on the roof then a ladder is a necessity. My old S&S had the usual ladder at the rear and you could get to it via the bumper and spare tire. But it had AC and storage pods on top and no basement. Some rigs have an observation deck. Or other stuff that needs maintenance work like solar cells. Me, I'm just paranoid enough about roof leaks to not be adding any more than is absolutely necessary up there so I don't plan on frequent trips topside. For those I do make I suspect the escape hatches may do the job, and not having an outside ladder means I do not have to secure them from outside access. Which also means they can continue to be escape hatches. (No point in giving a potential second story man a ladder.)

But I totally understand not wanting to jump on the bed. Though it might be handy on the return. I was thinking more in terms of the forward hatch but I will have to look at where it is in relation to where everything else is going. It helps that I have been waiting to build the interior out until the leveling system is done.

For roof access here, I just climb up on the shed roof and step across. I could even put in a door from the shop mezzanine if I wanted to, but I don't think it'd get enough use to warrant it.

Jim

luvrbus · June 20, 2020, 11:06:21 AM

You can buy all types of mast climbing steps from a marine supply they don't look to bad mounted on a bus ,best to buy the SeaDog Stainless climbers for 20 bucks more each if you go that way the Nylon climbers are junk,I think I saw climbers on Gary Hatt's bus

silversport · June 20, 2020, 07:14:48 PM

Here is one way, not that I would.

freds · June 20, 2020, 08:04:27 PM

Yeah that would work real well on a fiberglass cap LOL!!!

Scott & Heather · June 21, 2020, 03:22:08 AM

I'm with Richard in this one. Telescoping ladder has worked for us for 10 years now. Don't overthink this. And don't mount stuff to the bus. As someone said, you completely limit yourself with a mounted system. Just get the telescoping ladder and you can use it for literally anything and everything and trust me, we have. I had two and just gave one to Jack Conrad. You can find them used cheap.

luvrbus · June 21, 2020, 06:58:35 AM

In the 30 + years of bus ownership I have never carried a ladder and never needed one,on the Eagle I installed a Taylor hatch skylight in the bathroom just in case I needed on the roof never used it,the CC came with a nice telescoping ladder it is laying in the shop I don't plan on carrying a ladder

dtcerrato · June 21, 2020, 07:12:50 AM

Lots of different ideas - different strokes for different folks.

luvrbus · June 21, 2020, 08:30:05 AM

Quote from: dtcerrato on June 21, 2020, 07:12:50 AM
Lots of different ideas - different strokes for different folks.

Yep some of the older Blue Birds had carriers on the roof with a permeant mounted ladder on the rear from the factory I owned 1 way back

windtrader · June 21, 2020, 10:47:23 AM

Super comments showing every bus owner has their own needs for roof access. Just being such a cheap @$# put me off on the telescoping style but overall it provides the most function in the smallest package.

If I had reason to access roof on a regular and frequent basis a fixed ladder would be more appropriate but in my case it is hopefully just needed to do some solar maintenance or other roof task.

Being a cheap @$#, humm.. said that before.

Any brands offering great value?

luvrbus · June 21, 2020, 11:03:42 AM

Quote from: windtrader on June 21, 2020, 10:47:23 AM
Super comments showing every bus owner has their own needs for roof access. Just being such a cheap @$# put me off on the telescoping style but overall it provides the most function in the smallest package.

If I had reason to access roof on a regular and frequent basis a fixed ladder would be more appropriate but in my case it is hopefully just needed to do some solar maintenance or other roof task.

Being a cheap @$#, humm.. said that before. Any brands offering great value?

Cheap is not the way to go on a ladder pay the bucks cheap @$# and get all the certifications

Jim Blackwood · June 21, 2020, 11:22:37 AM

Is it true that most ladders are made in America?

Jim

luvrbus · June 21, 2020, 11:44:04 AM

Quote from: Jim Blackwood on June 21, 2020, 11:22:37 AM
Is it true that most ladders are made in America?

Jim

Nope a lot of Chinese junk in ladders out there they usually cost around 100 to 125 bucks vs the 300 to 400 buck ladders made in the US one brand I know of is the Thad ,Costco sells Chinese made ladders I see with the phoney stickers

chessie4905 · June 21, 2020, 03:00:26 PM

Personally, I wouldnt trust those little flip down steps. At my age, a fall doesnt heal quickly. And if wet could be slippery. Some roofs have enough curvature, that a longer ladder is needed to get high enough to safely step on and off. Harbor freight has a Little Giant copy that is reasonably priced when on sale. Also, if you weigh 250 + pounds, you may want to stay off the roof. For installation projects at home, scaffolding with planks over to top is best.

Dave5Cs · June 22, 2020, 06:25:54 PM

14 ft telescopic. Love it. I have had to use it 5 times but great to have. Once for a lightening strike that cut the power to the ac on roof. Had to rewire on the road. Another time in Redding in August the dam in the AC got blocked and the condensate was dripping into the coach. Had to go up there pull off the cover and clean it up in 109 degrees. Lights needed replacing on the road and not going on roof but needed the ladder to do it.

Up against wall in first bay.