Step Ladder, carry, why?

[Wanderer]

Hello,
we see a lot of folks with stepladders strapped to rear roof ladders, what are pros and/or cons of hauling the step ladder around?
Thanks
Wanderer

[wana65stang]

I believe the carrying of step ladders is so you can clean off the slide top before retracting if you don't have slide toppers . But I might be wrong,

[Blackhat6mike]

I have the Carefree awning that does not droop down to clear the leaves and debris when I roll it up. Also, I need to clean solar panels now and then. The ladder will be used if, God Forbid, a leak occurs.

[Ford Idaho]

One uses is to gain access to the top of the slides to sweep off debris from trees that may cause problems when pulling in the slides.

Window washing, light bulb changing or hanging lights.

Con: if not secured correctly it could fall off, that would be very bad.

[Herk7769]

If you need one; there is no substitute.
Had to do emergency awning maintenance that would have been impossible without one.

[retiredcamper47]

Amen, Herk! On our way to Colorado last June, we ran into massive winds while going thru Kansas. The slide topper started to flutter and wound up ripping about 6". Pulled in to a rest area to repair it. Had no ladder. Nobody else had a ladder, so they said, to loan. I talked a tanker truck driver to pull next to my rig so that I could use the ladder attached to his tanker. I managed to bungee both ends of the slide topper with the help of his tank ladder. I've been carrying a step ladder since. Wife didn't get any pics. Later that night at the campground, the news said the winds had blown a semi truck & trailer over in the area we were making the repairs.

Bob

[DXSMac]

Mine is in a storage bay, but I use it for changing lightbulbs, or replacing screws that come loose.

[BOBFIDY]

We carry a 4' ladder n the pickup...just to sweep off the top of the slides before moving them in. Not enough to get on top.....but it does serve its purpose.

[SilverbackMel]

I "usually" carry a 6 ft'er. BUT, I have mine over a bicycle ladder rack. Then 6 HD zip ties, 2 to hold the ladder sections and 4 to secure it. I believe the rear cap would fall off before the ladder😃.

Anyone with those "collapsable" ladders, please share experience.
Considering buying one. With grand kids and 5 total bicycles, need that ladder rack on some vacations. Hate being without a ladder of at least 6 feet.
Thanks

[Flybob]

I carry an 8ft. one in the bed of the TV. I use it and an auto windshield squeege head on a short painters pole to clean off the slide out. It is also insurance when something falls on the roof during a storm. I can check it out and make repairs as needed.

[TURBS]

I carry a ladder as well.
4ft. Ya never know when you'll need it!

Oc has one that fits in the bumper.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "2 nights"

[ColoradoRick]

Because of the law that says the likelihood of needing any tool is greatly magnified when you do not have it.

(I have just about every tool I have in my Tundra when camping.)

[ependydad]

I carry a ladder on longer trips because dragging the picnic table around to replace lights in my scare light or futz with my awning isn't my idea of a good time. I do have a ladder on the rear of my rig, but there are plenty of other areas that are still 13' tall that are hard to reach.

[youroo]

Our unit has a factory rear mounted ladder. I found it Very unhandy to unbolt it to use as needed on the front and sides of the unit! So we carry a (11' Telescoping ladder)! It is rated for (300#) way more than a Factory or many of the Other Ladders sold! Just something to think about when buying! Youroo!! US Flag waving!

[OldCoot]

Just carry the 6' folding ladder stored in the rear bumper.

6' Double Sided Ladder - GP Logistics SLD-D6 - Ladders - Camping World

[youroo]

We have a Factory ladder on the rear of our unit.I find it Very unhandy to unbolt it when needed at the front or sides of the unit! So we have a (11' Telescoping Ladder) it is Rated for (300#) much higher than Factory Ladders or some of the other ladders you see people using! Youroo!!

[Herk7769]

Here is where we store our folding ladder.
The one that is closed has a ladder similar to OC's (fits perfectly even with the top step installed). We also have the factory installed roof ladder, but you can not reach important areas of the slides, cap, or awning from the roof.

GP Logistics SLDD7 7' Compact Folding Ladder - Collapsible Ladder - Amazon.com

Red Top Accessory Shelf for DOUBLE-sided ladder - Ladder Accessories - Amazon.com

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by youroo

We have a Factory ladder on the rear of our unit.I find it Very unhandy to unbolt it when needed at the front or sides of the unit!

Ok, that made me chuckle. Thanks youroo!

[Longhorn 105]

Herk7769,
Did you make these storage compartments? If so out of what?

[ChrisAndGarren]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

Here is where we store our folding ladder.
The one that is closed has a ladder similar to OC's (fits perfectly even with the top step installed). We also have the factory installed roof ladder, but you can not reach important areas of the slides, cap, or awning from the roof.

GP Logistics SLDD7 7' Compact Folding Ladder - Collapsible Ladder - Amazon.com

Red Top Accessory Shelf for DOUBLE-sided ladder - Ladder Accessories - Amazon.com

X2 on both these - the ladder fits great in our basement off to one side. Very handy for cleaning the windshield of bugs......