Ladder Advice

1985air345 · 06-07-2002, 08:47 PM

I have not bought a ladder yet. I am looking for one that will allow me to get on top of my 345 MH and check the A/C's. I could get a straight extension ladder. I have also read about people using the 3-section adjustable kind. I do have the 3 step lightweight ladder to get to make awnings. I don't think that awning arm thing will work. It sounds like a pain to unscrew the awning locks with that rod. Any suggestions?

I will make sure to put some kind of pad between the ladder and MH to protect the aluminum.

zamboni · 06-11-2002, 05:36 PM

I purchased an aluminum "extension" ladder from Sam's Club that retracts within itself to 30"tall X 3"thick and extends to 12' tall when fully extended. It is quite sturdy when extended all the way out. It can be used at other heights when latches are secured properly...it's a pretty slick set-up...for about $150.

1985air345 · 06-12-2002, 06:40 AM

I think this is what you are talking about.

http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_s...cfkjdgoodflg.0

thenewkid64 · 06-12-2002, 07:01 AM

I have used one of these ladders and it is a stable , strong one. It is also small enough to carry in a compartment in the MH. I am also kicking around the idea of buying one, as I do not own a ladder tall enough to let me get on top of my rig.

ALANSD · 06-12-2002, 07:36 AM

got this photo from somebody's post somewhere awhile ago- I tried this with my bendable ladder, it was not too stable for me, but then my particular ladder has some weak locks.
I tried a 7' step with a wide base and a painters platform, it was great, but for me it would need to be 9' or more to get me up on the roof and off again with no problem.
I want to try a scaffold a friend has, it would go right up there with no sweat....can go to 30' if needed..she works on theater lighting.

1985air345 · 06-12-2002, 08:12 AM

It looks like Sam's and Camping World have the same telescoping ladder. Sam's is $149 and Camping World's special price is $210.

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/s...=SRCH&tcode=37

Sams' # 928899

I like the telescoping one since it will fit in my storage compartment and I could take it with me. I am also considering the bendable kind (Articulated Ladder) and doing exactly what that picture shows. I think you can get a wider base for the legs to make it more stable.

Lowe's (Articulated Ladder)
http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=prod...000287-M1-8-16

1985air345 · 06-22-2002, 09:31 PM

I did buy a 12' articulated ladder from Home Depot. The 16' model was too big for the back of my Honda Odyssey. Here is a photo of the ladder in use. I did buy a pair of spongy cushions (blue) designed for step ladders. They are loose but worked well. The ladder includes a largr base for stability. The locks were tight. I think the photo above is the 16' ladder.

Dbraw · 06-23-2002, 06:19 AM

Speaking of ladders and the top of Airstreams. I need to do some repair work on the antenna on our 71 Safari and wonder if it is a good idea to sit on the roof of the trailer. Is the top strong enough and will I risk denting it?
Dan

Pahaska · 06-23-2002, 09:10 AM

A previous post by Andy said "Wear soft shoes and stay off the end caps." I'll take one more precaution, though.

When I stopped at the factory to have a Fantastic Fan installed in my previous trailer, the factory folks used pieces of foam such as is used to insulate home outer walls to sit and stand on. I was on the roof of that trailer many times on the foam with no damage. I still have some pieces of the foam in the workshop and I'll use it if I have to get on the roof of my AS. It spreads the load and gives a lot of protection for very little trouble.

1985air345 · 06-23-2002, 04:25 PM

I stayed on the east-west rivets. There must to framework under them. The rivets that ran the length of the coach were not supported underneath. I also had soft shoes on. The ladder rested just right on two east-west runs of rivets. Otherwise, I would have rested it against the awning as Brett told me to do.

**Action** · 06-24-2002, 08:59 PM

I changed out the A/C unit on my bullet. I wore socks and I used a step ladder. Once I got to the top of the step ladder I climbed on to the roof. Stayed on the rivet lines and did the job. I got help hauling the old unit off and placing the new unit on from a second person that stayed on the ladder. (good thing too, he was a big dude)

My socks were dirty when I was done, but no damage to my baby. The socks got washed in the laundry.

>>>>>>>>Action

68 Suburban · 10-10-2002, 11:51 PM

I guess this picture in my 1968 Avion catalog makes me a little more secure going on top of my Avion