wanted collapsible ladder

[waninae39]

we would like to get one for out 22FB. Space is limited, thus a full size cant be used.

how tall does the extended ladder need top be to reach the roof.

anyone recommend any good brands or modles.
key needs are; reach the roof and compact when stored

[DBinSD]

Originally Posted by waninae39

we would like to get one for out 22FB. Space is limited, thus a full size cant be used.



how tall does the extended ladder need top be to reach the roof.



anyone recommend any good brands or modles.

key needs are; reach the roof and compact when stored

Several available telescoping ladders on Amazon.

We ended up with a 10.5’ from Ideachoiceproduct. It fit our needs on our 28’ Signature.

[YippieKiYa]

We're fans of this...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YJLFCQ...v_ov_lig_dp_it

With this to protect the trailer...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JEPD5S...v_ov_lig_dp_it

And we splurged on this carry bag to keep things neat, but it's overkill in the back of a p/u, and you could wrap in a blanket inside the coach...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JEPD5I...ER7A2EWR&psc=0

[nvestysly]

Ladders and particularly telescoping ladders come in lots of "flavors." Asking about ladders is almost like asking what is the best tow vehicle - you'll find lots of opinions.

Ladders are rated for the load they can support - Type II (225 pounds), Type I (250 pounds) and Type IA (300 pounds). Of course you'll also want to consider the height as you said, and the convenience of extending and retracting the collapsible sections.

I suspect you get what you pay for when it comes to ladders. I suggest you avoid the ultra low-cost options that you find and go with a brand that has some name recognition. There are lots of good videos on You Tube regarding quality of ladders and ease of use. I purchased 15.5 foot, Type I, Xtend + Climb on Amazon. I plan to use it for our trailer, our Class B motorhome and take the place of an extension ladder I use around the house.

For use with just the trailer or motorhome a 12.5 foot ladder would have been fine for me. I purchased the 15.5 foot because of home use.

In my opinion the 10.5 foot ladders leave a little to be desired because they don't provide much length above the top of the RV to provide a means of transitioning from the RV roof back/forth to the ladder. I feel much more comfortable with a ladder that allows me to hold the ladder while I move to the roof of the RV in an relatively upright position rather than a crouched position.

The rubber caps that fit on the top of the ladder are convenient in some ways but that means you definitely don't have any ladder length above the side of the RV if the top of the ladder is resting on the side of the RV. I find a Styrofoam pool "noodle" and a few pieces of Velcro allow me to put the protection anywhere I want along the length of the ladder.

[YippieKiYa]

Trailer is ~9.5' tall at the highest point, and a 7-8' ladder will get you where you need to be. (We bought the 14' for reasons similar to the prior comment from nvestysly - YMMV)

Also advisable to watch this how-to get on the roof video from Patrick at Colonial...

https://youtu.be/lofcdz7odDk

[WayneG]

For our Full size MH we use a 12' folding ladder for full roof access, but it takes a lot of space.
If we dont need full access to the roof, a Costco folding step ladder works and is not very bulky. We have the 2 step version but a 3 step may get you high enough.

[TheGreatleys]

We use a 10.5' collapsible aluminum ladder from Amazon. It came with a carry bag, and we use that between the ladder and the trailer to prevent it from scratching the aluminum. I appreciate the additional rungs at the top, so I have something to hold on to while I'm working.

I have not found the need to climb off the ladder onto my roof since I completed my renovation. But I do use the ladder frequently for general maintenance, cleaning the solar panels, and other tasks.

[Adventure.AS]

We have found this folding step ladder useful. It isn't tall enough for getting on the roof, but a step ladder vs an extension ladder is good for reaching the top of the trailer for cleaning etc. without having to lean it against the side.

It fits into the rear storage locker of our 25 RB, but may be too long for any of the storage lockers of a 22'.

[waninae39]

good test on this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7evGSkOPVg

he looks at

weight
build
length
30 walk across
and hammer test

1st place- Xtend and climb 785P (15.5') and 78-P (12,5')
2nd place- telesteps 1600EP

[Paprika]

I bought a 12.5' Xtend & Climb telescoping ladder, but found that it was way longer than needed to reach the roof of my International 27FB--and of course there was a penalty in weight and bulk associated with the length. I returned it and instead bought their 8.5' model, and I've been very happy with that. It's much lighter than the 12.5' version, but is more than long enough to get me up to the roof. I recommend the silicone rubber top rung cover.

[TexAirS]

Originally Posted by waninae39

we would like to get one for out 22FB. Space is limited, thus a full size cant be used.....stored

When on the road, we rent a ladder from HD or Lowe's. Just can't see dragging one around for six months to use for one hour.

If we rent an extension ladder, we lean it against the rain gutter over the door.

John

[waninae39]

we need one on the road to reach the solar sells so that they can be tilted

[kdinnar]

We just got a folding ladder. It's the GP Logistics SLDS6 Ladder from Amazon. I didn't want a ladder I had to lean against the trailer so I bought this free standing ladder. There are a number of different versions. This one was the lightest, folds the smallest, and would fit in the bed of our pickup. Seem fairly well build and is easy to operate.

[Farmer Dan]

We bought the Telesteps like YippieKiYa has. Also got ours from Amazon. It seems to work good. It stores easily.

Dan

[waninae39]

we bought the Xtend-n-climb 785P

we are happy with it
we got the bag also

they also sell rubber feet for the top so that it doe not scratch the roof

[FCStreamer]

Another vote for the Telesteps. I bought the 12’ one, but I am going to sell it and get the 14’. It folds so it’s really half that. 6’ is too short. They store easy in the rear compartment of my 30’.

[S1njin]

Reviving this as its been some years.

Collective wisdom for extendable ladder length? 10.5' or 12.5'? For FC, Int'l, GT, PB type trailers?

[ROBERT CROSS]

Wow...has to be at least 20+yrs ago. Kevlar telesteps available now.

FWIW I can't recall the last time I smashed ours with a sledgehammer.

Bob
🇺🇸

[S1njin]

I've narrowed it down to the brand(s), I'm really interested in the height most folks are using. Seems 10.5 would work fine, but some are using 12.5 and I'm wondering why?

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by S1njin

I've narrowed it down to the brand(s), I'm really interested in the height most folks are using. Seems 10.5 would work fine, but some are using 12.5 and I'm wondering why?

12.5 is usable around the house.
In fact, we have used it that way more than on the AS.👍

Bob
🇺🇸