Roof Ladder Fail

[Bob Denman]

Great advice!

[macdaddy1111]

That's scary!!

[HunterLa]

We had the same thing happen to our ladder this year, but only on the bottom left support. We were assuming that we need to replace the entire ladder, but were you able to just buy a replacement for the one bracket? I am very interested in what you were able to do to fix the break. Thank you! (I'm still a newbie and learning a lot from this forum).

[Philipclopez]

You just need to cut off the damaged part and then replace it with what you ordered. However, I highly discourage home repair. These ladders are built to a standard, and the manufacturer uses special building techniques to keep them safe. If you need to have it repaired, you should bring it to an authorized service center.

[Bob Denman]

Philip,
Welcome to the Forum!
While I can agree that they are built to a standard: they failed...
If someone can effect a repaor that makes it stronger:

[brucev]

Originally Posted by Kmatthiensen

Our coach is a 15 Thor Ace 30.1
We’ll definitely be adding a bracket but just need to figure out how to fix the post since the screws are stripped out of the wood.

I rebuilt mine a couple of months ago. Turn the bracket and start new holes. You may also check the others and see if they are loose. You can buy parts on Amazon. I also built 4 new brackets out of marine bimini top parts. I don't know if it was this thread or another but I posted pics of the parts and finished product. Seems to work and is still very solid so far. It's a really poor design and typical. Good luck!

[brucev]

Here are pics of the brackets from tubing and bimini top parts. All available on Amazon.

[Pilobob]

I always thought the ladders were flimsy, maybe ok for my grandkids but have way to much flex. I solved it with a telescoping ladder I store under the bed. I put a couple of pieces of pool noodle on the legs that rest against the coach. Much more stable.

[Pete'sMH]

I would expect ladders to be an off the shelf product used by all of the manufacturers. Mine is SOB so maybe different but I’ve been up and down mine dozens of times doing roof work and installing my solar panel. I’ve never felt unsteady on it but next time I visit my coach I’ll inspect carefully. There’s usually no one around when I’m working on my machine and a fall could be devastating. Thank you for this interesting thread.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Pilobob

I always thought the ladders were flimsy, maybe ok for my grandkids but have way to much flex. I solved it with a telescoping ladder I store under the bed. I put a couple of pieces of pool noodle on the legs that rest against the coach. Much more stable.

That looks like pretty good price for that ladder.

[Bill in Redlands]

Originally Posted by Philipclopez

You just need to cut off the damaged part and then replace it with what you ordered. However, I highly discourage home repair. These ladders are built to a standard, and the manufacturer uses special building techniques to keep them safe. If you need to have it repaired, you should bring it to an authorized service center.

I tend to agree as to the structural portions of the ladder. Not so much as to replacing screws with stainless steel or rotating the supports to get a better grip on the screws.

Mine was damaged in a foolish backing event and I took made a repair that was less than satisfactory. The ladder may have been ok for use but it felt wrong and I cut off the damaged portion that curved over to the roof. This left the vertical portion which I only climb part way to attach a weathervane as decoration if staying put for any length of time.





I use a regular ladder if I need to access the roof. BTW, on the bosses orders, I only do that if there is someone to spot me.

[dkeltner]

I experienced the same problem. Connections at base of ladder began to yield soon after purchase. On inspection, anchors for fixed to shell. Determined to be a design and manufacturing flaw. I’m looking for a solution. Any Suggestions?

[Beau388]

I bought a Stromberg Carlson universal 139.21 LA-401 exterior RV ladder. I only used the bottom 39" and the universal joints to attach it to my ladder's upper half which was still in repairable shape. The new ladder is the same size tubing but using all the supplied supports, I was able to increase the stiffness of the assembly. The bottom curved section appears to be of high silicon aluminum and much stronger than the mill run tubing used in the stock ladder. I did this 2 years ago and so far the ladder is holding after about 12 trips up and down. I weigh about 180 lbs. The new ladder section is nude aluminum and looks good enough, so I did not bother to paint it. I guess I could go take a picture of the ladder if you request.