telescoping ladder for getting to solar panels

[Virgil Jones]

[font=Roboto, arial, sans-serif]I'm in the middle of a high top van build.  I will have tilt-able solar panels and need to get high enough to reach them from the sides of the vehicle.  I can't walk on the roof because it's fiberglass and crowded.  Just wondering if anyone has a telescoping ladder...if there is problems mechanically with one over time, or even a brand recommendation.[/font]

 

[jimindenver]

I bought a 12.5 ft Ollieroo and really like it so far. I'm around 210 and it hasn't had any issues. It did take a few times to realize that the weight of a full sized ladder was in such a small item.

 

[ArtW]

I need a ladder for washing / maintenance. I'm leery though of leaning a telescoping ladder against the side of my trailer

 

[wagoneer]

I wrap the top ends with rags and tape and use an osha approved telescopic ladder

 

[ArtW]

Good Idea
I may have an exaggerated idea of the fragility of travel trailers, my dealer said I could walk the roof of this one, although it might 'snap and crackle'

 

[Gunny]

I saw Jimin Denvers ladder in action, that is a nice, compact item.

Rob

 

[Van-Tramp]

Over the past few years I have used one of these to get on top of both the van and trailer to clean or do repairs. Brand new I am sure it worked flawlessly, but I did recently have one of the stays give out while I was up there which caused me to go down... luckily slowly and not from very high up either. The other thing I do not care much for this style of ladder is that it actually weighs a lot.

You may be better off to install one or two van ladders and just not setting foot on top of the fiberglass. I am considering putting two on driver's side of my van (one right behind driver's door, and one near rear of van) and removing the rear-door ladder all together.

 

[speedhighway46]

I have carried a 14' telescoping ladder with me for getting to the roof of my motorhome. It was not cheap, but has worked well the few times I have needed it when on the road.

The good news: great quality. The bad news: having to purchase it from Camping World. Don't EVER EVER EVER give them your email address.

Just my opinion.

 

[Virgil Jones]

thanks for the replies!

 

[bullfrog]

I have thought about making a fold down shelf to use as a table on the side of mine to use as a table but it could be used as a platform to access the roof.

 

[MrNoodly]

I thought about attaching something like these to the side of my van, but I had already insulated and paneled the interior and I'd have to take all that out in order to locate and bolt through the ribs.




Or if I wanted to get fancy and worry about leaks, I could go with recessed steps like this.

 

[Wabbit]

Prob nor the cheapest ladder, put the other day I pulled up my minivan real close and crawled up on that....lol dont do this! I was just desperate with the rain coming in a day or 2.

 

[highdesertranger]

warning if you are planning on going off road, DO NOT attach ladders to the sides. especially where tree braches will be encountered. highdesertranger

 

[MrNoodly]

warning if you are planning on going off road,  DO NOT attach ladders to the sides.  especially where tree braches will be encountered.   highdesertranger

These guys would disagree.

http://www.aluminess.com/ford/ford-vans-1992-2007/ladders/

 

[jimindenver]

I have to agree, just because it is sold doesn't make it a good Idea. Some of the things that have caused my rigs to earn their stripes would have ripped that ladder right off.

 

[highdesertranger]

they can do what ever they want. if a tree branch were to get caught between the ladder and the van no good will come from it. if there is a window involved you can kiss it good by. highdesertranger

 

[MrNoodly]

By the same logic, don't have anything attached to your roof.

The problem isn't having things attached to your vehicle, it's in how you drive, where you choose to drive, how aware you are of your surroundings, how determined you are to fit through snug places and how well or badly you judge the actual size of your vehicle.

 

[bullfrog]

Okay here is an idea, build a rock slider that can be disconnected from both sides and joined together to become a ladder, might be a tad heavy but surely off road types like us could lift it!

 

[TrainChaser]

^^^ What he said.

A friend gave me some old issues of the Escapees magazine, and one of them said to use some panels of 3/4" plywood if you need to get onto the roof, to disperse your weight. Use at least two, step from the first to the second, then shift the first so it's in front of you, etc. This would work, as long as the top of your van was relatively flat.

 

[MrNoodly]

A friend gave me some old issues of the Escapees magazine, and one of them said to use some panels of 3/4" plywood if you need to get onto the roof, to disperse your weight.  Use at least two, step from the first to the second, then shift the first so it's in front of you, etc.  This would work, as long as the top of your van was relatively flat.

Or just wear snowshoes.

Or clown shoes.