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Topic: Ladder Replacement (Read 784 times) previous topic - next topic

Ladder Replacement

I am in need of purchasing the lower ladder for my 2002 U320.  I had an issue with one pin coming free on by Blue Ox towbar.  Fortunately, I noticed the toad swing to one side where it should not have been and I was able to pull over before it swung into oncoming traffice.  However, when I slowed, the toad and towbar crushed the bottom of the ladder.  (rookie lesson learned about the retaining clip on the tow bar pin.  I had lost the retaining clip at some point and was using one that I had purchased from TSC.  I just purchased new pins and clips from Blue Ox and it is obvious that the retaining clips are much harder to disengage than the ones from TSC.  I believe that vibration allowed the retaining clip "keeper" to flip up and then the pin worked it way out.). I am very lucky the only issue I have to deal with is the ladder and some scratches on the toad bumper).

Anyway, there was an old thread about ladder parts but it was over 2 years old so I figured I would start fresh.  Anyone have any ideas on where I may find a replacement bottom ladder section?  Alternatively what do you think about permenantly removing the bottom section and finding an extension that I could attach to the top ladder if I needed to get to the roof while on the road.
John "Kelly" McDowell and Naida McDowell

Re: Ladder Replacement

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Naida and Kelly –
Alternatively what do you think about permenantly removing the bottom section and finding an extension that I could attach to the top ladder if I needed to get to the roof while on the road.

When Xtreme did the engine bay door conversion on our 2003, we lost the lower portion of the ladder.  We traveled with a version of this (ours is German-made and from many years ago, but looks basically the same.)

Polder 3- & 5-Step Aluminum Folding Ladders | The Container Store

which fit neatly in the Joey bed and could be used to gain access to the upper portion of the rear ladder to get on the roof (and for cleaning the front cap).

Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Ladder Replacement

Reply #2 –
Would Xtreme still have the one you and Steve left behind?
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Ladder Replacement

Reply #3 –
Quote from: craneman –
Would Xtreme still have the one you and Steve left behind?

That was probably 10 or more years ago - the previous coach, not the WildEBeest.

ETA - but Xtreme would be the first place I'd contact in case they've done any recent engine door mods.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Ladder Replacement

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Michelle –
That was probably 10 or more years ago - the previous coach, not the WildEBeest.

ETA - but Xtreme would be the first place I'd contact in case they've done any recent engine door mods.
I heard xtreme was out of takeoff's


Keith
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Ladder Replacement

Reply #5 –
I had the ladder replaced by FOT in 22 they had the complete ladder assembly for 2003 - U295 but they wouldn't separate the top and bottom you had to purchase the whole ladder.
Mike & Donna Mariana + Angel & Rusty
2003 U295 3620
Build# 6118
2021 Jeep Wrangler 392

Re: Ladder Replacement

Reply #6 –
I looked on NorthwestRV.com and they just had ladder parts and a different type of rear ladder.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Ladder Replacement

Reply #7 –
We carry a little giant ladder (very heavy duty) in our basement bay, and use that exclusively (never using the coach built in ladder).

I normally brace it right against the coach built in ladder for extra stability.

Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Ladder Replacement

Reply #8 –
A boat upholstery shop that builds bimini tops etc. will have all those parts and can bend the aluminum tubing to match yours. Jim.
Jim and Dona
2002 U295 36'
Lily, blue healer. Our fury person
Manx mid travel Ecotec turbo
2022 Bronco badlands Sasquatch
Trail 90 and 110cc

Re: Ladder Replacement

Reply #9 –
Thanks for the info.  For anyone else who sees this thread, Xtreme does not have any lower ladders.  All the ones they have removed from their mods have been purchased already.  Lower ladders seems to be an item with some demand.  They did give me the contact info for several RV Junkyards.  I will include it here if it may help someone else:

Colaw - 417-548-2125
Vizone - 606-843-9889
Arizona RV - 877-824-8242

I will call and check, but I think I am going to go the route of permanently removing the lower ladder and using a portable to get to the upper ladder.  I like the idea of making it harder for someone to get on the roof anyway.
John "Kelly" McDowell and Naida McDowell

Re: Ladder Replacement

Reply #10 –
While leaving a motocross event years ago in SOB I had a teenager climb on our roof while we were waiting in the line to leave. Real nice, Jim.
Jim and Dona
2002 U295 36'
Lily, blue healer. Our fury person
Manx mid travel Ecotec turbo
2022 Bronco badlands Sasquatch
Trail 90 and 110cc

Re: Ladder Replacement

Reply #11 –
Just for something to add ... We had lots of work done at Xtreme on our coaches and actually bought James Stalling's
Foretravel when he was going back to the Prevost group.  He had modified the engine bay doors and the lower ladder was no more.  When we asked about getting access to the upper parts, he said,"Look ... I'm a big guy and I know how these things are attached.  I would NEVER depend on these rivets to hold me.  If you're a little skinny guy, it's probably ok ... but I always use an extra ladder to get where I need to be and use this one to hang chairs or whatever." 

We took him at his word and carried an extra ladder from then on.
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Ladder Replacement

Reply #12 –
I use a small keyed padlock for my towbar pin. They are keyed alike and they discourage falling off and any mischief while parked. Yes, they would take an extra few seconds in an emergency, I choose to accept that risk over the other two.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Ladder Replacement

Reply #13 –
I'm late to the conversation, yet hope this helps another member.  We had a bit of mishap New Year's Eve in San Diego when another coach took a corner a bit too sharp and took out our lower ladder. I searched and searched, with no luck until I found Surco Products in Los Angles.  We had a quote from a marine fabricator in San Diego of $2500 for the lower unit.  I contacted Surco and was a bit apprehensive, their price was between $200 to $250 plus shipping, just a rough estimate.  We were in Palm Springs so I opted to run my broken ladder over to Surco, just to make sure it was a legit.  I found the shop on South Main, spoke with Amir and showed  what I had.  He had initially said that it would take a few days to build it, then when he saw the ladder he asked if we could hang out for an hour or two and he would have it completed.  Went to lunch, came back, the ladder was done, the ladder nuts were installed and I was ready to roll.  I almost, and I mean almost, felt guilty handing him $200 for the ladder, but I got over that feeling. 

The ladder mounts they use are different than the factory installed mounts.  He flares the end of the tube with the bracket attached.  He would have left me with the factory straight tubes, but his mounts looked like they would work, and they did.  So for $200 he built a new lower ladder, included the mounts and ladder nuts, and mounting hardware. 

Priceless for those of us that still want an attached ladder.
 
Amir Surkin
14001 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90061
P: (310) 323-2520
F: (310) 323-7916
Lonny and Roxie
1999 U320 DGFE