Motorhome ladder step supports
We cut 10 narrow pieces from aluminum angle, drilled 1 hole in each,
held each angle up against bottom of step with vice grip to drill matching hole in round step mount, used one aluminum rivet to hold in place and take the vertical stress of each step.
We wanted all alluminum parts to eliminate galvanic actions and found all aluminum rivets from:
Fastenere, x100 rivets 5/32" x 1/4", dome, upc 842176189406 $11.04
Looks great.....
Looks good! I wish I had a ladder, whoever ordered my coach back in 2003 needs to be knocked up side the head. It looks better without but Not having a ladder stinks
Keith
Looks great Barry but what happened,.............did you guys gain some weight while in quarantine that you're worried about the ladder giving way?
I like this idea, Barry. Think I'll knock it off. I'm always climbing up on the roof and always have just a little concern about the inegrity of the ladder. Thanks for your post.
jor
Are the plastic end pieces no longer available???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_RAtIdklDA
I bought and replaced some recently on my old coach
Keith
What is weight limit of ladders?
I have read on the forum somewhere in the past that it is 150 lbs. Probably for liability issues as I am 210 and go up and down without any sagging on the steps. I will put on either Johns circular supports or the 90 deg just posted for insurance.
I rebuilt my ladder with new standoffs, ladder nuts, etc., from NW Trailer Supply, in Eugene, Oregon.
In search, just type in the word "ladder".
http://www.nwrvsupply.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SRCH
Well I will never be on my ladder. Good thing I have ladders for much much heavier loads.
I did not see the black end caps (the parts that normally breaks) there.
I would call NW Trailer Supply
Local: (541) 746-9092
Toll Free: (866) 678-7467
Email:mail@nwrvsupply.com
Two appear to come with a replacement step (Ladder Rung 8540-NT), as an assembly for $19.99 One could ask if the end pieces come separately. Their website only shows part of what they stock. They will order most a anything that is available.
Or etrailer.
https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=Rv+Ladder+Parts&furl=-vw-1-pg-Accessories_and_Parts
Also, from when I last replaced mine (more then 10 years ago), there were TWO sized, with our Foretravels using the larger of the two sizes.
I would ask for the vendor to check and compare total length of the black insert.
I go up and down numerous times on our ladder. I am more concerned about the ladder pulling out from the back of the coach, so I don't jerk on the ladder, but climb slowly and steady! Have heard that issue taking place on other coaches! Anyone else??
$17.95 end caps under "ladder parts"
Joe I have that same problem right now. In fact it's been like that for a while. when I bought the coach the previous owner had bought a new ladder just had it installed it yet. He was going to have it painted and then installed it. Frankly at 230 lb and 6'1 I don't really like going up and down that flimsy ladder on the back. And I agree that the coach looks better without it. I thought about taking the ladder out completely and using a fold-up ladder to get up and down. Since I have so many solar panels on the roof with that method I'd be able to go up whichever way I wanted to and I have to carry the ladder anyway. At this point I'm going to still bring the new ladder with me and install it at some point. If I get the coach repainted next year hopefully by then I'll know whether to keep it or not. I'm just not that confident of those little star lock nuts holding my weight over and over again. Of course with a ladder leaning up against the coach there's always a possibility that I could fall and I would strand myself up there, But that could be avoided by tying it off to something once I got up there.
The lower section of my ladder is bent. Any recommendations on where to purchase a replacement? Can just the lower half be ordered or do I need to get a complete ladder? The existing one still works, but does not look very good.
Check with Xtreme they remove them.
FT Parts carries both sections separately.
Or worry about the ladder kicking out from under you! Not good! I have experience at that feeling and no, you can't just grab something when you are falling like in the movies! lol
Xtreme has lots of unbroken used caps. We raided the supply too.
Thanks, Lynn. Hope you and Marilyn are doing okay.
Black plastic ends often have a small not easily visible vertical crack at the screw, and new ones are available, so good to carry a few extra.
Each step is supported with a single long metal screw on each end. Reinforcements under each step is increased security.
No question that the star nuts holding ladder to motorhome will rust and be a poor attachment due to steel / aluminum corrosion. We would be surprised how rusted most star nuts are.
We carry a 8' regular Lowe's 'A' ladder in the bay, it fits between compartment doors with 1" to spare.
Always bungie this 8' ladder to our motorhome rear fixed ladder, climb up and step off 8' ladder near top of MH ladder.