28A+ After Market Ladder

[gunwonk]

Are there any concerns about adding an after market ladder to my 2005 28a+ ? I'd like to get easy access to the roof for maintenance and hang my flag pole and other paraphernalia off it. Any comments, questions or concerns?

[trudinator]

If you don't have blocking in the structure from the factory, there won't be enough support for your after market ladder. At least that is what I've found when reading previous posts on this issue.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by trudinator

If you don't have blocking in the structure from the factory, there won't be enough support for your after market ladder. At least that is what I've found when reading previous posts on this issue.

I second this !


If it didn't originally have a ladder there then there's nothing behind wall to mount a ladder to........


Turbs

[donanddona]

Talked to J&J camper sales (Local RV) and they said the factory has to send them the mounting locations for rear ladder mounting. Agree with the "just can't mount anywhere"

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by donanddona

Talked to J&J camper sales (Local RV) and they said the factory has to send them the mounting locations for rear ladder mounting. Agree with the "just can't mount anywhere"

If your unit did not come with a ladder, then the backing was not put in the rear wall. It would make no diff. where the ladder is shown on other models, my guess your unit did not get reinforced in that spot...

[donanddona]

When I purchased my 5'r the dealer didn't want to install a ladder. I wanted to know if the roof would support during a Nascar event. He advised me if someone would fall off (drunken stuper) I could get sued. It leads me to believe it was do-able...

[TURBS]

Dealer say why he wouldn't ?

[donanddona]

Other than the liablity issue..... no.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by donanddona

Other than the liablity issue..... no.

The liability of the ladder falling off wIth no blockIng or the liability of someone falling off the roof ?

[gunwonk]

I guess I'm disappointed that FR didn't design these rigs to accommodate a simple ladder. I assume blocking refers to internal studs and braces in the walls to strengthen them - correct?

[bakken]

I would guess that the factory would put the support blocking in all of the trailers that had a ladder as an option. It would be too confusing to only do some of them, and the extra cost would be miniscule.
But a call to the factory for confirmation would be in order.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by bakken

I would guess that the factory would put the support blocking in all of the trailers that had a ladder as an option. It would be too confusing to only do some of them, and the extra cost would be miniscule.
But a call to the factory for confirmation would be in order.

Extra cost may seem minimal to you but think about this.
Forest river makes 20, 000 trailers this year (fictional figure) I'm sure it's way more.....
Anyway 20, 000 units and it costs $5.00 per trailer for additional blocking materIals and structural enhancement .
Let's say only half get ordered with a factory ladder and half don't so now half of those want a dealer added ladder .
Now 5, 000 units never get a ladder at $5.00 a unit. You do the math .
It's not minimal at the chance someone MAY want a ladder on there unit after it hits the dealer.



Turbs