Portable ladders - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Maintenance, Winterizing and Routine Care
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 04-21-2021, 10:26 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
MyronL's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
Portable ladders

I have until now never needed to get up on the trailer roof. At home my 10 foot step ladder has served well for random needs up there but, since soon I will install an adjustable, heavy solar panel things are different now. Been looking at simple 4-step ladders. Just found this very interesting portable, telescoping ladder, $85 bucks. Anyone have it?
Attached Thumbnails
ladder.jpg  
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
MyronL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2021, 10:53 AM   #2
Member
 
Buzz505's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: "The Roadrunner" 2021 Escape 5.0
Posts: 53
I have owned that ladder for 15 years, mine might be an earlier version. I consider it sturdy but it has been stuck and won't collapse the full way down. I have tried WD40 ect but the bottom section will not collapse.
__________________
Buzz
Buzz505 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2021, 03:22 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: washington, Washington
Trailer: Escape 21NE
Posts: 206
When you're in a campground, you can usually find a motorhome or huge fifth-wheel that has a ladder you can borrow. I don't feel the need to carry one, and have a large enough ladder at home for cleaning etc.
felix2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2021, 03:47 PM   #4
Member
 
Buzz505's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: "The Roadrunner" 2021 Escape 5.0
Posts: 53
If you want to see my ladder let me know. I am in Albuquerque.
__________________
Buzz
Buzz505 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2021, 04:12 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
C&G in FL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Trailer: 2015 Escape 5.0TA (Little Elsie) Extensively Personalized
Posts: 2,960
Myron, I have a 10-foot Extend & Climb ladder that always goes with me on a trip. Yes, in the past I have borrowed a ladder from someone in a larger trailer but ladder availability is NOT guaranteed. My ladder is in a carry bag I recently purchased, but in the past slipped a large garbage bag over each end to keep crud out of its moving parts.
I have a saddle (cross-bed) toolbox in front of my standard 5th wheel hitch (not Andersen). I find that I can slip it down (or up) when the hitch is installed and “curve” it under the toolbox. Typically, I will drape a couple of bath towels over the edge of the roof to keep the ladder from contacting the fiberglass.
__________________
What a long strange trip it’s been!
C&G in FL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2021, 04:47 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Vermilye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
I carry a 6' folding 2 sided stepladder that, when folded, fits in a 5" fence post mounted under the rear of the trailer,
__________________
Jon Vermilye My Travel Blog
Travel and Photo Web Page ... My Collection of RV Blogs 2018 F150 3.5EB, 2017 21
Vermilye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2021, 04:59 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
MyronL's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
Thanks, Buzz. Offer much appreciated. Almost bought three-step one at Costco today, under $30bucks. Glad I didn't because I really only need the ladder for reaching in to set up the 30 degree roof angle leg for the solar panel yet to be installed. Because I am not vertically challenged I thought 3 steps would be enough, but no. Need the extra step. Any ladder would be kept in the truck bed. Wouldn't mind seeing a picture of your ladder, Jon.
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
MyronL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2021, 12:01 PM   #8
Member
 
Buzz505's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: "The Roadrunner" 2021 Escape 5.0
Posts: 53
Photo of my ladder

2 lengths are stuck. I have used it a lot in the past.
Attached Thumbnails
SAM_1706.jpg  
__________________
Buzz
Buzz505 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2021, 12:37 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Vermilye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
Quote:
Originally Posted by MyronL View Post
... Wouldn't mind seeing a picture of your ladder, Jon.
Here is it open, half open & in the fence post:
Attached Thumbnails
_JRV0120.jpg   _JRV0196.jpg   _DSC9174.jpg  
__________________
Jon Vermilye My Travel Blog
Travel and Photo Web Page ... My Collection of RV Blogs 2018 F150 3.5EB, 2017 21
Vermilye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2021, 01:14 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
This one looks nice....https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...A1LCONRNAYWNI1
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2021, 01:53 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oriental, North Carolina
Trailer: 2023 Escape 21C
Posts: 158
I like the folding step ladder from Amazon for the convince of storing it in a plastic fence post mounted under the trailer. I have used a 6 footer to work on my Casita however a step ladder holds you away and feels less safe. I will probably opt for the 12 foot collapsible for emergences but primarily for washing and waxing the roof. I will use pool noodles to protect the trailer
Greatboatz3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2021, 01:58 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greatboatz3 View Post
I like the folding step ladder from Amazon for the convince of storing it in a plastic fence post mounted under the trailer. I have used a 6 footer to work on my Casita however a step ladder holds you away and feels less safe. I will probably opt for the 12 foot collapsible for emergences but primarily for washing and waxing the roof. I will use pool noodles to protect the trailer
Not if you turn the ladder sideways, it is right next to the trailer at top height....
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2021, 02:41 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oriental, North Carolina
Trailer: 2023 Escape 21C
Posts: 158
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
Not if you turn the ladder sideways, it is right next to the trailer at top height....
Turning the ladder sideways a standing on t top “Not Step” and leaning over the wax t he center of the roof or the top of the AC tends to make the ladder unstable. IMO
Greatboatz3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2021, 02:43 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
True,
that is where your helper leans against the ladder to steady it.....
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2021, 02:45 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oriental, North Carolina
Trailer: 2023 Escape 21C
Posts: 158
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
True,
that is where your helper leans against the ladder to steady it.....
Believe me I’ve had them do that as well.
Greatboatz3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2021, 05:30 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
MyronL's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
I'm leaning toward Buzz's 9 foot telescoping version.
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
MyronL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2021, 06:38 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oriental, North Carolina
Trailer: 2023 Escape 21C
Posts: 158
Quote:
Originally Posted by MyronL View Post
I'm leaning toward Buzz's 9 foot telescoping version.
I'm away from home so I don't know the exact height but I believe the trailers are 9' tall. When you place the ladder on an angle they need to be longer than 9'.
Greatboatz3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2021, 07:24 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
marsman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Sudbury, Ontario
Trailer: 2019 5.0 TA
Posts: 346
I also have one of those 10 ft telescoping ladder and find that it works beautifully for accessing the roof of the 5TA. However I do recall that when I bought it they mentioned in the instructions the importance of keeping the ladder clean so that the telescoping functions properly. Also remember them saying not to use any WD40 style products but rather a fine lubricating oil and always put 8t away dry. I've been careful with mine, store 8t in the original box and have used it countless times at home and with the RV and have had no issues whatsoever.
marsman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2021, 08:32 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
Ronn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Trailer: 2019 5.0 TA
Posts: 864
Quote:
Originally Posted by marsman View Post
I also have one of those 10 ft telescoping ladder and find that it works beautifully for accessing the roof of the 5TA. However I do recall that when I bought it they mentioned in the instructions the importance of keeping the ladder clean so that the telescoping functions properly. Also remember them saying not to use any WD40 style products but rather a fine lubricating oil and always put 8t away dry. I've been careful with mine, store it in the original box and have used it countless times at home and with the RV and have had no issues whatsoever.
Same with me, mine has been without any issues (I have never lubricated it).

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vermilye View Post
Here is it open, half open & in the fence post:
I have a 5.0 and I bought a 12.5' telescoping ladder. I don't need it that long, the 10.5' would have been better and is 4 lbs lighter.

I am strongly considering going to the GP Logistics SLDD6 6' Compact Folding Ladder with the fence post mod like Vermilye has done. One less thing in the truck box and to pack up for each trip. I do like having a ladder along as I like to get the debris off my awning etc.
Attached Thumbnails
Ladder - 71DD+cAhpjL._AC_SL1500_ (1).jpg  
__________________
The Sweet Suite
Ronn and Colleen
Ronn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2021, 10:51 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Mike G's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Trailer: 2012 E19
Posts: 1,733
Good to see so many great ways to get a leg up in the world.

Never saw one like Jon's before he posted the pics. Those hinged steps are a nifty idea. Amazing how small a space it collapses to.
__________________
Losing weight puts one at much greater risk of becoming thin.
Mike G is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:40 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.