Portable ladders

[Perry Butler]

We purchased a Wolfwise 10.5' collapsible ladder. Perfect size for accessing the rear solar on our 5.0. It fits in the 4" of wasted space at the front of our truck box ahead of our huge bike box.

Twenty plus years ago we had a home inspector with a collapsible ladder. He loved it. When we sold that home 3 years later he had a newer ladder for a year or so. Nine years after that we moved to Lanesboro and he inspected our home again. He said he lightly oiled the previous ladders and they would fail after a couple of years. He had his current ladder over 7 years and it was still working great. He claimed he and other inspectors stopped lightly lubing the ladders and they lasted much longer. Lube is a dirt attractant. YMMV!

Enjoy,

Perry

 

[MyronL]

Well I'm sold. Just found one on EBay, 16.5 ft max telescoping ladder, great price. Estimated delivery is May 15. Now the wait begins. (Still some trauma here thanks to a couple recent EBay delivery failures on other stuff.)

 

[Red Dog]

We love our telescoping ladder!

Fred M.

 

[C&G in FL]

We purchased a Wolfwise 10.5' collapsible ladder. Perfect size for accessing the rear solar on our 5.0. It fits in the 4" of wasted space at the front of our truck box ahead of our huge bike box.

Twenty plus years ago we had a home inspector with a collapsible ladder. He loved it. When we sold that home 3 years later he had a newer ladder for a year or so. Nine years after that we moved to Lanesboro and he inspected our home again. He said he lightly oiled the previous ladders and they would fail after a couple of years. He had his current ladder over 7 years and it was still working great. He claimed he and other inspectors stopped lightly lubing the ladders and they lasted much longer. Lube is a dirt attractant. YMMV!

Enjoy,

Perry

If you use dry lubricant spray, it does not attract dirt and it dries rather quickly (less than one minute). But even better, keep the ladder in a storage bag and dirt/grime cannot come in contact with it. Mine has worked fine for five plus years, never lubed, but always enclosed either in two HD garbage bags, one over each end, or the cordura storage bag I now keep it in. I see no reason to lube it if it is kept clean.

 

[gshadel795]

did Escape install your solar panels and if so, did they make them so they could be moveable/slanted (as in your picture)?

 

[vermilye]

If you are asking me, no I added the ability to tilt the panels to the Escape installation. If you look through my Escape 21 Modifications page you ca find some closeups of how the tilting works.

 

[gshadel795]

thank you Vermilye...............very informative

 

[MVA]

The telescoping ladders are interesting. They appear to be offered in 8.5', 10.5', and 12.5' lengths. If all I need to do is inspect my solar panel on my E19 while traveling, will I need a 8.5' or a 10.5' ladder? I have tall step ladders at home for roof maintenance. Per some comments on this thread, a 12.5' may be oversized.

thanks

 

[Effie]

Get the 10.5, I'm getting away with an 8.5 (got before having the E19) but it's marginal.

 

[C&G in FL]

Get the 10.5, I'm getting away with an 8.5 (got before having the E19) but it's marginal.

I agree. I have the 10.5 and it is the perfect size for accessing anything on the 5.0TA, even the loft, because by retracting the landing gear, you can put the 5.0TA in a “kneeling” position for any maintenance tasks on the loft.
Pool noodles cut to length or a thick towel draped over the trailer or temporarily tied around the ladder will protect the gel coat.

 

[MVA]

I agree. I have the 10.5 and it is the perfect size for accessing anything on the 5.0TA, even the loft, because by retracting the landing gear, you can put the 5.0TA in a “kneeling” position for any maintenance tasks on the loft.
Pool noodles cut to length or a thick towel draped over the trailer or temporarily tied around the ladder will protect the gel coat.

Get the 10.5, I'm getting away with an 8.5 (got before having the E19) but it's marginal.

Thanks All. Effie - How is it marginal?

 

[Dcboyd]

Definitely getting a telescoping ladder to carry. I do not Iike depending on others to borrow anything. But that’s just me. The Wolfwise from Amazon looks nice. Just what I need is another ladder. Lol
Last trip had a dirty drive, wanted to clean solar. Next trip won’t be a problem.

 

[Perry Butler]

Thanks All. Effie - How is it marginal?

Placing the ladder on the camper with an acceptable angle takes more than 8.5'. It could be done but I would find the angle of the ladder marginal for safety. We have the 10.5' ladder and do not use the top rung. If I could find a 9.5' that would be acceptable, but could only find 8.5' or 10.5' ladders.

Enjoy,

Perry

 

[MVA]

Thanks Perry. My question was driven by the fact that the trailer is 8'1" from ground to top of fiberglass, the ladder is 8.5', the angle is 75 degrees to ground, then 8'1"/sin(75) is 8'5". Hence, I figured 8 6" was close but may be OK.

 

[Effie]

Placing the ladder on the camper with an acceptable angle takes more than 8.5'. It could be done but I would find the angle of the ladder marginal for safety. We have the 10.5' ladder and do not use the top rung. If I could find a 9.5' that would be acceptable, but could only find 8.5' or 10.5' ladders.

Enjoy,

Perry

Yes, that's how I feel about the 8.5', a bit short for safety. In the picture below it is fully extended. I'm using pipe insulation to protect the trailer.

 

[MVA]

Thanks Effie for posting the picture. Now it makes sense to me. The ladder is long enough to reach the roof edge of the trailer, but since it terminates there, the ladder is not long enough to hold upon the ladder when standing on the 4th-5th step while working on the roof.

p.s. - nice gardens.

--Steve

 

[MyronL]

I bought the 12.5 version. Very solidly made and will extend more than necessary for my roof. Surprisingly quite heavy, but otherwise I like it.

 

[Dcboyd]

Question...does a 101/2 foot ladder (telescoping) have to be fully open or can it be used partially opened?

Never mind. I see Myrons ladder is not fully extended.

 

[Centex]

I bought the 12.5 version. Very solidly made and will extend more than necessary for my roof. Surprisingly quite heavy, but otherwise I like it.

I'm liking the generous slope that ladder allows, and that you could, if wanted / helpful in some situations, extend another step or two at the top to serve as a steadying hand-hold above the roofline.

 

[Perry Butler]

I'm liking the generous slope that ladder allows, and that you could, if wanted / helpful in some situations, extend another step or two at the top to serve as a steadying hand-hold above the roofline.

I use the extra 1-2 steps the 10.5’ provides for a hand-hold when needed.

Enjoy,

Perry