Ladder failure worries

[Kaliona]

I've been going up and down my 2012 Jayflight a lot lately to do some roof repair. Every time I climb the ladder I see the upper anchor points and it looks to me like the plates are slowly pulling away from the trailer. I want to remove the existing screws and install larger and longer screws. You can see in the closeup pic how the plate is starting to bend. The lower 4 mounting plates are perfectly flat against the trailer. Anyone know how "beefy" the studs are that these screws are attached to? Or how the wood blocking is configured on the back wall of these trailers? I'm not a big guy, only 170lbs, but I'm afraid to use the ladder any more until I reinforce it.

[ToppDogg]

The ones I have seen on RV repair videos would scare you to ever use that ladder, nothing more then some plywood or maybe a 1X2.

[JFlightRisk]

Don't go too long on the screws, or they may come out inside the back wall.

Ours is a 2012, and I'm (about) 206 lbs (even though I look 150) and so far I'm not worried about the ladder screws or brackets failing. I believe it's rated for more, but will have to look at it.

[RAurand]

Here is what I did to support my ladder. I think BigJohnD did the same thing (That's where I got the idea). Used bicycle inner tube as the spacer on the u bolts.

[JohnWedell]

I don’t trust the ladder. I use an 8 foot stepladder to get most of the way up and then go on the ladder from that point up.

[Kaliona]

I like that reinforcement idea RA. Until I do something like that, I think I will use an A frame ladder from now on.

[spoon059]

I use a telescoping ladder from Amazon. That rinky dink ladder Jayco installed doesn't inspire me...

[TCNashville]

I have a '12 model too and my ladder has been fine but does flex a lot. A little unnerving but I still trust it but I go up and down rather gingerly. If you don't trust it, brace it as a rear ladder is nice to have.

[tott9713]

I did exactly what you plan to do. I used 1.5” #12 stainless screws.

[DonaandDon]

Your idea for the fix sounds soild. However I believe you will need to remove the existing ladder and increase the hole size to the diameter needed for the new screws, and of course as stated before use the same length.

I carry a folding ladder to access the slider roof then up onto the roof. Well, because I'm a slightly larger man.

[ecksdude]

I've never climbed the stock ladder. My 17 year old daughter climbs it to sweep before we bring in the slide-out, but she's probably 100 lbs dripping wet. If I have to get up there, I use an alternate ladder.


I'm a big guy, I am certain it would fail with only a few uses if I were on it. It looks very flimsy to me. I've toyed with the thought of simply removing it and patching the holes, or replacing it with a sturdier ladder that I felt better about.

[Scott_Trailer_Newbe]

What he is showing in the pictures is the ladder mount trying to pull outward. If you hug the ladder all the way up with the re-enforcement mod it improves strength, but pull back with your arms as you go up the ladder and that mod will do nothing to prevent what his ladder mount is getting ready to do.

[RedHorse1]

I discovered a nasty leak during a heavy rain while on a trip and used the rear ladder to access the roof and do a repair. I didn’t like climbing the rear ladder, felt flimsy. I learned 2 important lessons that day. Keep E’bond in the spares box and get an external ladder. I don’t carry lots of “stuff” in the bed of the TV so I bought a folding ladder that is 17’ when straight and also makes a 7’ A frame. I have a couple of sections of pool noodles that I use for padding when getting on the roof. Very useful.

[michael.g]

The ladder on our Greyhawk Class C was very well secured. I had no concerns going up and down that ladder. The ladder on our Bungalow, I went up once. No chance I would try it again. The ladder on the Bungalow flexes like crazy and it certainly looks like it wants to pull out of the wall. I use an extension ladder to get on the roof.

-Michael

[Rongbrown]

Speaking of ladders......anyone know were I can source a ladder to replace the one on my jay feather 23rbm?

[JFlightRisk]

Originally Posted by Rongbrown

Speaking of ladders......anyone know were I can source a ladder to replace the one on my jay feather 23rbm?

There's different heights of ladders. This is one good source for info.

https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-RV_...iAAEgI8JPD_BwE

[RoscoW]

If your lucky it hits a 2x2 "stud", other than that it will be a pc of OSB stapled in place behind the siding.

Ross..

[thenne1713]

Originally Posted by Kaliona

I've been going up and down my 2012 Jayflight a lot lately to do some roof repair. Every time I climb the ladder I see the upper anchor points and it looks to me like the plates are slowly pulling away from the trailer. I want to remove the existing screws and install larger and longer screws. You can see in the closeup pic how the plate is starting to bend. The lower 4 mounting plates are perfectly flat against the trailer. Anyone know how "beefy" the studs are that these screws are attached to? Or how the wood blocking is configured on the back wall of these trailers? I'm not a big guy, only 170lbs, but I'm afraid to use the ladder any more until I reinforce it.

Worse, as it pulls loose, it WILL LEAK. i RECOMMEND GETTING a 14" extension ladder that you can set about 3-ft above roof line (gives a great handhold as you step back onto ladder); also, some split pool noodle on ladder to cushion where ever the ladder touches the RV. If you can come up with some 1-2" thick finished wood (oak/ pine?) you can put on the Inside, either using stainless screws to screw into the wood, or run 1/4" stainless bolts from inside out with Nuts on outside? FURTHER, if top wall mount is moving, what about top mounts going into roof?

[Phil Saran]

Like many others I use a external ladder (8 footer) and recently purchased a
12.5 telescoping ladder off Amazon ($83.00).

I weight 235 lbs and am 71yrs. old so I don't try stunts like I did in my 20's.