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08-04-2018, 10:01 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 33
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Install RV ladder or store a telescoping ladder?
Been mulling about this decision. Seems the RV ladder is a safer convenient way to get on the roof. A tele ladder can be moved around the RV whether you need to be on the roof or just get at something high at the front/side, may need a spotter. Can also be taken home to use.
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08-04-2018, 10:13 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 13,709
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To mount a rear ladder you'll need to know where the in wall supports are. IMHO while a rear mounted ladder is great to have the tele ladder would offer the flexibility you mention.
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08-04-2018, 10:18 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Alberta - East of the Rockies, West of the Rest
Posts: 1,785
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I wouldn't call the ladders they put on rv-s safe, they are ok for occasional roof inspections but not much else. I'm 6'3" 210# and I tread very lightly when using this ladder, on a previous trailer a neighbor - admittedly a heavy set guy - put his foot on the bottom rung and it snapped right off. I suggest you invest in a collapsible or telescoping ladder for safety and versatility.
__________________
2018 RAM 5500 Laramie CC
Sold: Riverstone Legacy 38RE, 960 Watt Solar, 6x6 Volt AGM Battery Bank, Freedom SW 3012 Inv/Charger
Ordered: 2021....
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08-04-2018, 10:37 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 33
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I'd probably need to go up there to sweep/blow the sideout at the end of every trip before bringing it in, not interested in those SO awnings. And every so often apply SO protector on the top piece, check around the A/C, bathroom vent for re-caulking etc.
The last few times I did a pullup off my DiamondBack truck cover but I'm not always going to be in that agile mood lol
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08-04-2018, 11:41 AM
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#5
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Lets go camping!
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: VA
Posts: 259
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i bought a ladder to attach to the back of my camper, unfortunately FR didnt add the support bracket till 2015. so i wasted 150 on that. then i had to buy a collapsible ladder. which seems to work out better because i can access all sides of the trailer for cleaning and waxing. i bought the ladder off amazon for $75, but i think the normal price is $100 now. its a wolfwise en131 12ft ladder.
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2014 Rockwood Mini Lite 2504s
2016 Ram 3500
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08-04-2018, 12:01 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 16
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We had same issue. We have 3 slodeoits and want access to clean them upon departure at each campground. While forest river said there is backing support we felt the cost to have one installed and create new holes in trailer would not be worth it. We purchased this telescope on amazon. LOVE IT! Easy storage and carrying case. Great for more then just trailer too!
Idealchoiceproduct 12.5FT Aluminium Telescopic Telescoping Ladder Extension Steps
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08-04-2018, 12:32 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: getzville, ny
Posts: 65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DeborahL24
We had same issue. We have 3 slodeoits and want access to clean them upon departure at each campground. While forest river said there is backing support we felt the cost to have one installed and create new holes in trailer would not be worth it. We purchased this telescope on amazon. LOVE IT! Easy storage and carrying case. Great for more then just trailer too!
Idealchoiceproduct 12.5FT Aluminium Telescopic Telescoping Ladder Extension Steps
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Lucky you, I have no slodeoits on my Motorhome and you have three. Come to think of it, I have no idea what that is.....
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08-04-2018, 12:35 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 31
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RV ladder vs telescoping/folding
We have a ladder mounted to our RV, but I find it less than ideal. Getting onto or off of the ladder at the top is problematic for these old bones. The little giant ladder works out best for me.
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Gerry & Linda Etzold
Annapolis, MD
TV - 2015 Ford F150, 3.5L Ecoboost, 3.55 gears, HD Tow
RV - 2018 Open Range 2804RK
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08-04-2018, 12:39 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Eastern Shore of MD
Posts: 82
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Another thing that most people don't think about is that the mounted rv ladders go STRAIT UP. It makes it very awkward to carry anything up with you. A retractable ladder being angled is much easier to tote items up.
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08-04-2018, 12:55 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: eastern NC
Posts: 1,783
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seems to be a lot of negatives about an "installed" ladder, but there are certainly some positives as well , ...
1) don't have to find a special place to store/carry it,
2) it's always ready for use, don't have to un-store it when u need or want to get on the roof,
3) mine is extremely stable/sturdy and I have no hesitation about going up or down it,
4) comes in handy in other ways than just being a ladder, ... there are hangers that allow you to hang lawn chairs and other similar stuff off it, ... some folks hang their portable sewer wagon off of theirs, ... here on the forum, folks have posted pics of hanging their drying racks(some of clever homemade ideas) off their ladder, ... I have attached spring clips to ours and its ideal for holding the extension pole for our aftermarket tv antenna, ... more recently I've also attached spring clips to the other side to hold another extension pole for a cell signal antenna, ... and I'm sure there are other ways an "installed" ladder rates a thumbs up, ... it ain't all bad, ...
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08-04-2018, 12:58 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 124
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I've been using my extendable ladder for 10 years now and for me this is the only way to go if you don't have a factory installed one. Who needs more holes?
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08-04-2018, 01:18 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 442
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I want slodeoits..... They sound really cool ! Wish I had said that.
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08-04-2018, 01:49 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 5
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We have a telescoping ladder which works very well for most things and stores easily in our storage area. We have had it for 2 years now. Our RV came without a ladder.
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08-04-2018, 01:54 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Valencia Pa
Posts: 602
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If it was meant to have a ladder one would have been there. Buy a folding telescopic ladders.
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08-04-2018, 02:19 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 55
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I was told by my RV salesperson that my specific Salem did not have a ladder because we were not supposed to walk on the roof.
So I purchased one of those letters that you're talking about on groupon for $75 it works great I use at home and with my camper to clean off the slides before bringing them in
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08-04-2018, 02:38 PM
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#16
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,499
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Just so you know, I'm 200lbs and have been up and down three different rear laters many, many times since 2010. Widlcat 5th wheel, Rockwood ultralight 5th wheel, and now a class C motor home. Never felt uneasy if unsafe. I ven replaced one mysekf on the Rockwood after it lost a battle with a rr crossing arm. Rock solid. Just my experience offered to help you decide.
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2018 Forester 3011 DS
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08-04-2018, 05:31 PM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Chickamauga, GA
Posts: 42
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Just my opinion, but I have and use a telescoping ladder and love it. I've been on some of those RV ladders, and at 230 lbs, I just didn't feel all that secure.
__________________
Randy Lyons
Chickamauga, GA
2000 Forest River Wildwood Lite
2006 Ford F250 Lariat Diesel 4x4
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08-04-2018, 05:35 PM
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#18
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Camper
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 396
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Artspe
Another thing that most people don't think about is that the mounted rv ladders go STRAIT UP. It makes it very awkward to carry anything up with you. A retractable ladder being angled is much easier to tote items up.
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This. It is a huge drawback to a mounted ladder.
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Thanks,
Brian
TV - 2006 F350 6.0 DRW CC
TT - 2018 Wildwood 31KQBTS
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08-04-2018, 06:56 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: GTA
Posts: 133
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Have a telescopic ladder. Can't believe how functional and useful it is for roof maintenance.
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08-04-2018, 10:36 PM
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#20
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Senior
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Crested Butte, CO
Posts: 246
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Wish I bought a telescoping ladder instead. My motorhome came with a ladder and when I bought it I thought all I might need would be something small to reach the top of the sides when waxing so I bought a 3 step folding ladder. It worked sort of OK but I couldn't reach the middle of the front cap. Also my arthritic old joints do not go up and down the fixed ladder on the back easily.
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