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Topic: Roof ladder end caps  (Read 3859 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Roof ladder end caps

Reply #20 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
So here is my/our answer to fixing those ladder end caps. I drew up a sketch and sent it to Brother Geoff to cut and make some stainless pieces to finally fix this issue.

How about putting a kit together for Fofums to purchase - recoup your design/manufacturing cost?  Of course the whole importer/exporter thing might need to be "gotten around" for US purchasers. 

Re: Roof ladder end caps

Reply #21 –
From the pictures, that is a very nice fix! 
One word of caution--- stainless steel and aluminum don't like each other at all when bolted together (experience from my past life in the marine industry). You will get corrosion at the joint big time.  If you put a little Tefgel (Teflon based grease) on the joint, it will prevent the corrosion.  Tefgel is available at West Marine and on line from several sources.

Re: Roof ladder end caps

Reply #22 –
Why not just replace the end caps?

Re: Roof ladder end caps

Reply #23 –
The new hand crafted metal supports look good, but since they are still held to the ladder with a screw and not a bolt/nut, it seems to me to be no more safer than the plastic ends which can only be attached with a screw.  We just replaced the plastic ends and used new screws.  I think the screw is the weak link.

Re: Roof ladder end caps

Reply #24 –
Actually Barry as you are well aware, the screws are never the problem it is the breakdown of the plastic with UV so these are going to be very substantial due to the actual area of contact with the  Alum' parts. Not the plastic.. Sorry did not mention the addition of the  Teflon grease as it has been a busy day here. Relacing end caps is NOT the answer on their own(unless you plan to sell coach before they break again). The screws in all our ladders are perfectly fine.
Brett, the cost of these parts are negligible compared to the end caps
John

Re: Roof ladder end caps

Reply #26 –
Dave ,  I have eight oblong foots for the ladder that came off my 280.  Plus an assortment of SS Steel screws and 1/4 X20 bolts.
Yours if you want to pay the shipping.  I can no longer use the stuff.
Give me a call or message.
Gary B

Re: Roof ladder end caps

Reply #27 –
Subject of ladders has come up many times.  I found marine stainless steel foots to work very well but are expensive.  I also installed "backup" screws just under each step.  Here's an old link with pictures: Check your ladder if you haven't already

Re: Roof ladder end caps

Reply #28 –
If just adding those screws made a difference just imagine the effect of the SS pieces we put on which are supporting a lot more surface area of the metal part of step rung!!
JohnH

Re: Roof ladder end caps

Reply #30 –
Hey guys, the reason for doing what we did was not to overide the ease of replacing them but to add strength and peace of mind to a bad design that you can safely climb up that ladder without having a fear of it collapsing under your weight. Just putting new ones on means sooner or later the sun affect will get these too!!
Kind of like all the other improvements we all do to our coach's instead of just leaving it the way it is ^.^d
JohnH

Re: Roof ladder end caps

Reply #31 –
Just had to do this.  Bought a full set of the plastic ones.  One of mine was completely broken and almost left me on my butt with at least one broken bone.  I noticed that all the ones on the engine door were cracked apart while all the ones on the cap were not.  It made me wonder if oil or fuel vapors are a bigger issue than sun exposure.