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Old 10-14-2018, 07:57 PM   #1
Campingnownthen19
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Why no ladder?

Just bought my first 5th wheel and have been out 3 weekends so far.. it's a 2014 Springdale 5th wheel.. already looking to upgrade my truck! (2017 Chevy Silverado 1500). So my RV has 1 slide and I'm currently carrying an aluminum ladder to clean it off. Can I walk on my roof? Why no ladder in the back? Can I add one?

Thanks!
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Old 10-14-2018, 08:03 PM   #2
Snoking
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No ladder might be an indication that the roof is not rated to be walked on. Chris
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Old 10-15-2018, 03:55 AM   #3
Eastham
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I have a 2016 Cougar without a ladder and the paperwork says fully walkable roof.The brochure shows the 5th wheel with a ladder and both roofs are constructed the same.Both are ultralight.
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Old 10-15-2018, 04:03 AM   #4
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No ladder is the indication that they don't want you walking up there.

"Fully walkable roof", they don't know if your 100 pounds or200+ pounds so use your own judgement where you place your feet.
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Old 10-15-2018, 05:08 AM   #5
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If you pull down an inside vent liner you can see what the roof material is. Mine is 3/8 OSB with no ladder. I contacted Keystone and received a reply stating that my VIN does have a walkable roof. That letter is in a hermetically sealed envelope and stored in a vault. DW is to give it to the lawyer when I fall through the roof. I still walk very cautiously up there trying to step on the trusses.
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Old 10-15-2018, 05:21 AM   #6
Laredo Tugger
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Campingnownthen19, Look into getting a slide topper for the one slide out. They work great keeping debris (water,leaves,pine needles ect..) off of the slide top. No need to haul the ladder around.
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Old 10-15-2018, 05:29 AM   #7
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Our 2011 Springdale had a "fully walkable roof" but no ladder. I attributed that to Keystone's lack of installing items to keep the cost of their entry level trailers competitive with Forest River and Jayco. They also didn't install a lot of other "equipment" that I eventually bought and installed myself. I can't say for sure, but I'd make a guess that the reason you don't have a ladder is to keep the MSRP below the competition.

As Joe said, remove the inside of one of your roof vents and you can see the roof decking. If it's 1/4" OSB then I'd stay off the roof and work from the sides of the trailer. If it's 3/8" and if you're less than about 200 pounds, then I'd suspect you can walk around up there, being very careful to only step on the area supported by rafters.

As for a ladder, the "trick" would be to find out if there is any "mounting structure" anywhere along the back of the trailer to which you could install a ladder. Usually, if a trailer doesn't come with a ladder from the factory, you'll be "guessing whether there's a mounting plate" built into the framing or if there's nothing to mount a ladder on the trailer. Most of us (even those with ladders installed by Keystone) have bought a collapsing or folding ladder that we carry with us to access the roof. Those "RV ladders" aren't usually strong enough to support more than about 150 pounds or so and climbing up a skinny aluminum pole with plastic rungs just isn't what most of us "old farts" want to risk when out in the boonies on vacation.... YMMV
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Old 10-15-2018, 05:37 AM   #8
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It is not get on the roof that is an issue for us seniors, it is the transition from the roof back to the ladder to get down! It does not hurt to make same 2" hard foam blocks about 18" square to place where you step to distribute the weight to a wider area, if you have to get up there to replace a vent lid of such.
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Old 10-15-2018, 06:49 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Campingnownthen19 View Post
Just bought my first 5th wheel and have been out 3 weekends so far.. it's a 2014 Springdale 5th wheel.. already looking to upgrade my truck! (2017 Chevy Silverado 1500). So my RV has 1 slide and I'm currently carrying an aluminum ladder to clean it off. Can I walk on my roof? Why no ladder in the back? Can I add one?

Thanks!
You might think about one of these from Home Depot. Compact and easy to store. No drilling or attachment issues.
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Old 10-15-2018, 07:43 AM   #10
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Our first camper did not come with a ladder although the roof was fully walkable. The trailer was prepped for a ladder (with backing in the walls) so we added one. It was a cost cutting measure when they ordered the camper.
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Old 10-15-2018, 09:23 AM   #11
sourdough
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Our trailer has a ladder but I don't use it. I bought one of these https://www.campingworld.com/7-double-sided-rung-ladder

After using it for several years I will say that it is very handy and sturdy but I am going to purchase another one like Canonman listed because I can get some additional height and it will still collapse unlike my other ladders.
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Old 10-15-2018, 09:31 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by Slapshoot View Post
Our first camper did not come with a ladder although the roof was fully walkable. The trailer was prepped for a ladder (with backing in the walls) so we added one. It was a cost cutting measure when they ordered the camper.
Probably cheaper to buy the telescopic ladder shown earlier, much sturdier & more useful. Although if you're just needing a place to hang bicycles, lawn chairs or whatever, which is not recommended, the telescopic one won't work very well.
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Old 10-15-2018, 10:41 AM   #13
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Several nice things about the telescopic ladder.....
.. light weight and stows anywhere
.. can use to clear off slide tops
.. gives you easy access to exterior lights that are up high so bulbs etc can be replaced
.. and you can use it around the house too

Just make sure the safety green indicators are showing for each step extended prior to climbing
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Old 10-15-2018, 12:37 PM   #14
66joej
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Also another good idea is to buy a length of 3/4"water pipe insulation, cut a few 1' pieces and put them around the part of the ladder that rests against the trailer protects the rig and helps it to keep the ladder from sliding sideways.
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Old 10-15-2018, 04:36 PM   #15
ctbruce
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Another fan of the telescopic ladder. It's really easy to use and stores well.
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Old 10-15-2018, 05:04 PM   #16
BamaRam
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Canonman View Post
You might think about one of these from Home Depot. Compact and easy to store. No drilling or attachment issues.
I have a ladder like this and it works great. I did add a section of Swim noodle to the top rung to protect the trailer.
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Old 10-15-2018, 06:09 PM   #17
shermris
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Many units without a ladder are not walkable. Mine is not so I carry a light aluminum ladder and two 3x4 pieces of 1/4 plywood in case I need to go topside. Check with your dealer or the manufacturer if your user manual does not advise you about being able to support foot weight.
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Old 10-15-2018, 06:21 PM   #18
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Our first camper did not come with a ladder although the roof was fully walkable. The trailer was prepped for a ladder (with backing in the walls) so we added one. It was a cost cutting measure when they ordered the camper.
My dutchman doesn't have a ladder either,, always wish it did,, thought maybe it was a liability to the manufacturer.
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Old 10-15-2018, 08:29 PM   #19
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The trailer ladder is a bit too narrow and the first step up too high to be of much use except that I put my telescoping ladder over the upper part that extend out on the roof and it keeps the extending ladder real stable. I have the 12' extending ladder and found it a lot handier than the 30' ladder I also own as it is a whole lot easier to set up by myself; even taking the 30' rigid ladder apart into two sections doesn't make a 15' section fun to set up by myself.
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Old 10-16-2018, 01:44 PM   #20
Ken / Claudia
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I asked that question to the salesman, the reply was cost. I could buy a ladder for xx dollars and walk on the roof all I want. Having 2 16 ft ladders just lying about, I put one in the truck bed at times or the 8fter. A friend has the telescoping type. It costs more than mine, but is also much easier to pack and when camping.
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