Loose Ladder Support

[bevedfelker]

While at the Thor Sunshine Rally Up this past weekend, I showed several folks how the screws in the supports for my rear ladder were corroding so that the head separated from the shank. I was wondering if I could rotate the round support, drill new holes and install stainless screws.

I looked at the drawing I had from Thor for my rear wall. Behind the top and middle ladder support was a 1" thick 8 X 16 " piece of plywood. I removed the 4 screws. Rotated the round support 90 degrees. Drilled a 1/16" pilot hole to just pierce the fiberglass and installed 4 stainless screws.

[revjeffrey]

Very Nice Ed! Thank you for this important tip. Do you know what size SS screws you used ??

[bevedfelker]

Same length as the ones I removed -- 1".

[revjeffrey]

Thsnk you!@

[Bob Denman]

I've got a question about adding a roof ladder to my rig...
How can you find out where it's safe to start drilling holes?
Since my rig is a Toy-hauler: I'd like to add a ladder along the side of the rig. I've seen ladders on the Jayco Toy-haulers, that looked as if they'd fit perfectly.

[Laco]

I wouldn't recommend mounting a ladder on the side, unless you can find one that folds in flat so it doesn't extend beyond the closed awning

[revjeffrey]

I would recommend buying one of those good quality telescoping ladders not the folding type that way you could use it all over your rig washing windows Etc and use it at home if need be and when you sell your rig you can keep it just a thought.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Laco

I wouldn't recommend mounting a ladder on the side, unless you can find one that folds in flat so it doesn't extend beyond the closed awning

That's exactly what I'm looking at!
Jayco puts them on the sides of their Toy-Haulers.

[bevedfelker]

I think the problem you would have mounting a ladder is the wall reinforcement for the mounts. Since my Vegas design included a rear ladder, when they built the rear wall they put two 1" X 8" X 16" pieces of plywood between the outermost aluminum "stud" and the next closest aluminum "stud" 18" in from the outer edge. This way there is solid reinforcement behind where the ladder supports go. Without that kind of bracing all you would have is the fiberglass skin, some thin luan, Styrofoam blocking and the thin interior wall.

So the first thing I'd do is contact Thor Customer Service and see if you can get a construction drawing for the wall where you intend to mount the ladder for your specific Outlaw VIN.

[Laco]

Accounting for all that cantilevered weight, should a 250 pounder try to use it, is something to be very careful of. Would not be good to have the ladder pull off the side as someone is going up it.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by bevedfelker

So the first thing I'd do is contact Thor Customer Service and see if you can get a construction drawing for the wall where you intend to mount the ladder for your specific Outlaw VIN.

Thanks for the advice; they'll get a call in the morning!

[revjeffrey]

Attachment 7572

[Bob Denman]

I actually have one of those ladders. I just don't have the room to carry it on the rig.

[scrubjaysnest]

Originally Posted by bevedfelker

While at the Thor Sunshine Rally Up this past weekend, I showed several folks how the screws in the supports for my rear ladder were corroding so that the head separated from the shank. I was wondering if I could rotate the round support, drill new holes and install stainless screws.

I looked at the drawing I had from Thor for my rear wall. Behind the top and middle ladder support was a 1" thick 8 X 16 " piece of plywood. I removed the 4 screws. Rotated the round support 90 degrees. Drilled a 1/16" pilot hole to just pierce the fiberglass and installed 4 stainless screws.

Good fix ED, I have one screw head missing on ours.
Just be careful with the factory drawings, the ones I got for the roof stringers when I mounted my solar panels were wrong even though ordered by vin #

[Mr Sunshine]

Originally Posted by revjeffrey

Attachment 7572

You can buy the exact same collapsible ladder you showed at $79 on sale at Camping Universe for about $200!

[Mr Sunshine]

Ed, am I right to assume that you filled the old holes with silicone?

[gnach]

Originally Posted by Mr Sunshine

Ed, am I right to assume that you filled the old holes with silicone? [emoji144]

2x for caulking and the new holes too. Galvanic reaction of dissimilar metals could be the issue. I don't know if (but think) the ladder is aluminium but aluminum and SS are reactive too. I'd put a fiber or rubber washer under the new screw head.

Here's an interesting article re dissimilar metal corrosion. Go down to the compatibility chart, aluminum and SS are more reactive than aluminum and galvanized steel. Counter intuitive, right? Any nautical types care to chime in?
https://www.fastenal.com/content/fed...0Corrosion.pdf

[bevedfelker]

Need to remove screws and caulk "old" holes. Good catch!!!

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Mr Sunshine

You can buy the exact same collapsible ladder you showed at $79 on sale at Camping Universe for about $200!

Why would you want to spend $200 on a $79 ladder? Or was that a dig at Camping Universe?