Best RV Ladder To Reach Your Roof
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BEST PERMANENT RV LADDER Stromberg Carlson LA-401 Exterior RV Ladder
BEST TELESCOPIC LADDER Xtend & Climb 785P
BEST COLLAPSIBLE Ohuhu 12.5 FT Aluminum Telescoping Ladder
BEST FOLDABLE Little Giant Ladders
Imagine climbing on all fours to reach your RV roof. You would imagine that it would cause quite a scene at an RV park.
Not all RVs come with a ladder for RV access to roof. Your roof needs care and maintenance from time to time. And there will be times you need to get up to fix your air conditioners, solar panels or your roof vent.
[ If you are interested in getting a RV roof vent, check out our reviews on Best RV Roof Vent. ]
Getting the right camper ladder or a rv roof ladder replacement for your needs can be a challenge as there are so many motorhome ladder choices in the market out there. We have reviewed a long list of options, and you can save the trouble of reviewing it yourself. In this guide, we have listed down 5 picks for the Best RV Ladders.
If you are in a hurry and want to get the Best Ladder for RV, check out Little Giant Ladders.ca
Table of Contents
5 Best RV Ladders
This ladder is a RV exterior ladder which would fit at the back of your RV. It is a great option if you want to utilize more space within your RV.
It requires permanent installation, where you need to bolt the motor home ladder to your RV’s frame to keep it secure. It comes with sufficient fasteners to ensure it is tightly fixed.
It is pretty lightweight, weighing only 10 lbs which does not add much weight to your trailer. This is thanks to its use of aluminum tubing that is 1 inch in diameter. The great thing is that this camper ladder can hold up to 250 lbs of weight, which suits most trailer owners.
This exterior rv ladder design is made for a straight back RV. However, it is versatile enough that it can be trimmed to the length that you need and also adjusted to bend to follow the shape of your RV.
Pros
- Universal fit
- Lightweight
- Can be customized
- 1 time installation
- Sturdy
Cons
- Instructions are not so detailed
PROS
CONS
- Universal fit
- Lightweight
- Can be customized
- 1 time installation
- Sturdy
- Instructions are not so detailed
This travel trailer ladder is designed for the back of a contoured RV. It will easily fit a 5th wheel design. It is a very versatile ladder in the sense that the bottom curved section can be removed, if you want to install it on a straight backed RV. It has a maximum length of 92.5 inches allowing you enough buffer to customize the ladder’s height.
There are screw anchors available to attach to your RV back wall. The key strength of the ladder is in the lower and upper supports which prevents the ladder from twisting and bowing out. You may want to get an extra set of stand off mounts for stability.
It is pretty lightweight at 11lbs , which is great for your RV weight. It comes in a dark color which is a good match if your RV comes with a dark exterior.
It is well built with high quality rust resistant aluminum alloy construction. Thus, it can withstand the harsh elements of the outdoors for long periods of time.
Pros
- Aluminum construction
- Great for contoured backs
- Can be customized
Cons
- May not cater for more than 200 lbs weight
PROS
CONS
- Aluminum construction
- Great for contoured backs
- Can be customized
- May not cater for more than 200 lbs weight
Xtend & Climb 785P is a telescopic ladder which is a great alternative compared to traditional bulky ladders. It easily fits the storage of your camper making it compact and portable. It comes with a strap that will keep your ladder together when you transport it.
A green indicator tab display indicates it is safe to climb, when a red indicator display indicates the rungs may collapse. To extend, lift from the top of each rung until it clicks to lock. To retract the ladder, just push the buttons on each rung to collapse it. It can extend up to 15.5 feet maximum and retract up to 36.5 inches.
As a safety feature, it will half retract until you fully retract the rung above it. This is to avoid pinching your hands or fingers when lowering the rung. It is built with an anti-slip feature with a special over-molded foot setup for better grip.
They are well built due to its construction using 6061 aluminum alloy, which is airplane grade aluminum material. However it weighs 36 lbs which is slightly heavy for some to carry around. You also need to consider this factor when lengthening the ladder to the maximum height, as you need to lift the ladder’s weight to extend it. It can bear up to 250 lbs which includes the person and the tools that will be carried up.
Pros
- Compact for easy storage
- Anti slip feet
- Portable
- High grade aluminum material
- Telescoping
- red and green indicators for safe operation
Cons
- Heavy
PROS
CONS
- Compact for easy storage
- Anti slip feet
- Portable
- High grade aluminum material
- Telescoping
- red and green indicators for safe operation
- Heavy
This is another telescoping ladder for RV. It is made of premium aluminum alloy which is strong and durable. It is less heavy compared to Xtend & Climb 785P, weighing 25 lbs only. It’s super durable as it can support up to 330 lbs, which is a pretty high weight capacity.
It can extend up to 12.5 feet tall, which is slightly shorter than Xtend & Climb 785P. This height works for the majority of rigs and at this height it should allow you to reach your RV roof. If you do not require full length, just pull the steps to the height you need. There are shorter options of 8.5 feet and 10.5 feet.
There are locking pins to hold the rungs in place to ensure it does not slide and pinch your fingers. One of the main benefits of this ladder is the one button retraction feature. After use, you can just press the thumb buttons simultaneously, and it will completely retract the ladder to a compact size. It retracts slowly and smoothly.
You will appreciate the non-slip end caps that hold the ladder firmly in place. For larger users, the steps are designed with extra wide steps for bigger footprints. The ladder is compliant with EN131 and SGS European safety standards, which will give you a peace of mind when using it. This is one of the very popular collapsible ladder for RVs.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Compact
- One Button Retraction feature
- Retracts slowly and smoothly
Cons
- Not tall enough
PROS
CONS
- Lightweight
- Compact
- One Button Retraction feature
- Retracts slowly and smoothly
- Not tall enough
This is a RV folding ladder. One of its best features is that it can be transformed into many different ladders. It is the “Transformer Of Stairs’ ‘. It can be converted into an A frame extension, stairs or a 90 degree ladder.
It is a very self explanatory ladder, in that it will only take a few minutes for you to figure out how to get the ladder into different configurations.
It features a dual pin hinge for quick adjustments. sIt is spring loaded and will lock in place once you open the hinge. It is very easy to configure and very secure once it is in place.
It has a storage height of 4 feet, so it will easily fit to your RV storage area. This ladder comes with other options of multiple heights of 17 feet, 22 feet and 26 feet. a 13 feet ladder is the shortest option.
It is constructed with aerospace grade aluminum, giving you the assurance of safety and reliability. It has one of the highest weight capacities of 300 lbs, which is why it can be used as a 2 person ladder.
Weighing 25 lbs, it is considered 20% lighter than the standard industrial ladder. With wheels for its ladder, it is easy for you to push it along on its wheels without the need to carry it around.
It can even be placed on a flight of stairs with different heights for you to access the ceiling. It is definitely one of the coolest folding rv ladders ever invented.
Pros
- High weight capacity
- Can be converted to different configurations
- Comes with wheels to be pushed around
- Lightweight
Cons
- Less affordable
PROS
CONS
- High weight capacity
- Can be converted to different configurations
- Comes with wheels to be pushed around
- Lightweight
- Less affordable
Buying Guide
Weight
Ladders for motorhomes should be light enough so that it will not damage the back of your RV. At the same time, it will be less effort to move it around. Usually aluminum rv roof ladders are pretty light.
The average RV ladder can hold around 250 lbs, supporting the large majority of RVers.
Height
Ladders for travel trailers come in different heights, so check the height of your RV. Then measure your ladder so that it is high enough for you to reach your roof. Especially if it is a folding or telescoping ladder, make sure it can extend to the height you need.
For bunk ladders, just make sure it can fit the internal space in your RV.
When using rv exterior ladders, for safety purposes, remember that you should only step on the 2nd rung from the top. For example, if your ladder has 13 rungs, you should step on the 11th rung and not the 12th or 13th.
Storage
If it is not a permanent ladder, then you may want a ladder that does not take much space in your rig. A folding travel trailer ladder or telescopic ladder can be folded down to a smaller size for easy storage.
Additional features
Nowadays, there are ladders that come with anti skid rubber feet features that prevent the ladder from sliding, keeping you secure when using the ladder. Another is the anti-slip steps to prevent you from slipping when you are up on the ladder.
If space is an issue to you, having the foldable feature allows you to easily store it in your RV. Telescopic extension ladders make ladders more convenient in your RV as they take minimal space.
What are the different Types of Ladders
Telescopic ladder
The advantage of this ladder is that you can adjust in height to suit your needs. If you are looking for a multi purpose ladder, which can be used inside your RV or outside your RV, you can consider a telescopic ladder.
Outdoor ladder
It allows you to access the roof of your vehicle for routine maintenance. They are portable and can be stored later in your RV.
Bunk Ladder
It attaches to your bed so that you can access the top bunk bed.
Mountable RV ladders
They are popular among RVers as they take up less storage space and it is built to withstand the elements of the outdoors. It is usually a rear ladder that is attached to the back of your RV. Some have the option for you to mount your bikes on it, so you can bring it along your road trip.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How To Install RV Ladder
For Permanent Ladders
1. Position your ladder on the rear of your RV.
2. Identify 2 spots where you will drill 2 pilot holds to fasten your ladder to the RV.
3. Screw your ladder through the mounting hardware.
4. Apply a coat of sealant to prevent water from leaking into your RV.
How Do you Use a RV Ladder
1. For a telescoping ladder, always use from the bottom onwards.
2. Never adjust the ring locking mechanism while you are using the ladder.
3. Make sure you check that every rung is secured in its place before you use the ladder.
4. Before you step up, ensure that the legs of the ladder should firmly stand on the ground. 5. And if it is wet or raining outside, refrain from using the ladder as it may be slippery.
6. When retracting a telescopic ladder, do not let it slam down hard as it can damage the locking mechanism.
How To Maintain RV Ladder
After every use , just give the ladder a good wipe down for a longer lifespan for your ladder.
How To Replace RV Ladder
If you are replacing a portable ladder, there is no need to remove anything. But if you are replacing an existing permanent ladder, you need to find the correct tools to loosen the bolts and screws. Be mindful that you need to support the entire weight of the ladder so that it does not fall on you and or damage other parts of your RV. Then move it away from your right.
Our Verdict
A ladder is something you should buy once to use for a long time, fulfilling your RV needs. You will not go wrong with any of these top-rated RV ladders, as they are one of the best RV ladders compared to other options you see on the market.
If you still cannot decide and need a final recommendation, then we would recommend Little Giant Ladders to elevate your camping experience.
Some call it the “Transformer Of Stairs”, this high quality ladder that can be converted to many configurations for multiple purposes. Its wheels make it easy to move it around and the storage size is reasonable compared to your regular stepladder.
It is a highly recommended ladder, and Little Giant Ladders happens to be one of the most popular ladders among all the 5 ladders we have reviewed.
Jules and Ken
We are outdoor lovers, travellers, and writers all rolled into one. You have seen our posts here reviewing lots of different types of outdoor gear, camping equipment, RV equipment, kayaking, to cycling. Our reviews are guided by our years of experience being outdoors. We are happy to share our knowledge with you to make a better choice when you are outdoors.
We hope you enjoyed this review and if you have questions about any of the Best RV Ladders, or want to leave your own personal review, feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!
