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Topic: Ladder Feet - Paint Matching - Zorries (Read 654 times) previous topic - next topic
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Ladder Feet - Paint Matching - Zorries
A site search has turned up some info regarding overcab access ladders, but not much on the feet of the ladder.  I have a 2000 FL, and the included ladder has aluminum extrusion side rails, but doesn't match the current tubular offerings from the probable OEM, Topline in CA.  I'm fine with the ladder treads, and it's super-light, so feet replacement/repair is all I'm pursuing at the moment.  We have "hardwood" floor instead of carpet, so rubber feet are required.

I'll be calling the mothership on Monday to inquire about new plastic/rubber feet for the ladder, as the old ones have dried and crumbled beyond repair.  Has anyone obtained replacement molded feet from LD, and were they a 'permanent' solution -- at least a 5-year life?  Or is it one year, and you're doing it again?

I can gear up to make alternate feet in the shop, but if a suitable solution is "twenty bucks," I'll do that.

This is a new-to-us machine, and we're narrowing down the pre-trip checklist quickly.  System check-outs are coming along well; new hitch and rear sway bar go on next week, etc.  I'm sure there will be more questions in the coming weeks, on things like how to get paint out of LD without going there personally, what that switch is up by the overcab bed (found-night light), what the switch is down by the hood release, what the switch is next to the dash radio, what the switch is next to the yellow outside light switch (found -- loose bulb overhead), and what's wrong with actually labeling switches... stuff like that.  (I'm sure all those switches do something -- just haven't yet discovered exactly what that something is.)

Chip
2000 Front Lounge
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #1 –
A photo of the ladder bottom might be helpful.  :)

BTW, I'm a big fan of labeling things.  With the unique design of our last RV, a telescoping trailer, it was too easy to crunch things!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #2 –
It's on the way.  Watch this space...
No shortage of alternate ways to do it; mainly seeking 'been there, done that' opinions.


2000 Front Lounge
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #3 –
Chip, I tackled the question of paint last year. I tried the Mothership and Cardinal Paints who manufactured it for them. Even a trip in person was not helpful. Both suggested having paint made locally, as I needed at least a half pint of two colors.

I went to a local auto paint specialist and had some mixed. It was a bit of a task, but not a problem. And not inexpensive. I was able to get either da two part or one part paint (I opted for the latter). And I used Ford white in rattle cans.

Of course you may have a different experience, be sure to let us know.
Paul
'92 Mid Bath
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #4 –
Custom mixed two-part paint is available, see the following old thread.

Paint matching
These paints are the same type that LD uses.
It is much more durable than common spray paint.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
 
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #6 –
Quote from: paul banbury  - 
Chip, I tackled the question of paint last year...
Of course you may have a different experience, be sure to let us know.

Since they apparently sell pre-mixed rattle cans and touch-up tubes, it would obviously be a great customer service thing if they would jump thru the not-very-difficult hoops to send them.

A quick Googlage shows that USMail ground is pretty straightforward, requiring only special labels, spill-containing packaging, and some one-time safety/training paperwork that looks like it can all be internally-generated.  It basically says here's the USPS/DOT regulations, and here's the name of the shipping dept. person who has read them.  And that person needs to have a certificate (generated by LD in-house on a word processor and printed out) that says he read the regulations.

All of the above is much easier than handling MSDS stuff for OSHA.  And poof, you can ship paint.

I just ordered cold galvanizing for a trailer project, in both spray cans and a 1-gallon, 25lb standard paint can.  Came UPS, no problem.  So paint is shippable.  In fact, I would bet that the paint they use at the factory is shipped to them.  Unless they're also a paint factory.

Maybe some enterprising local LD owner could open up a parts distribution service that does things like email, credit cards, and paint shipment, and charge for those services.  Hmmm...

Chip
2000 Front Lounge
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Chip Chester  - 
Since they apparently sell pre-mixed rattle cans and touch-up tubes, it would obviously be a great customer service thing if they would jump thru the not-very-difficult hoops to send them.

A quick Googlage shows that USMail ground is pretty straightforward, requiring only special labels, spill-containing packaging, and some one-time safety/training paperwork that looks like it can all be internally-generated.  It basically says here's the USPS/DOT regulations, and here's the name of the shipping dept. person who has read them.  And that person needs to have a certificate (generated by LD in-house on a word processor and printed out) that says he read the regulations.

All of the above is much easier than handling MSDS stuff for OSHA.  And poof, you can ship paint.

I just ordered cold galvanizing for a trailer project, in both spray cans and a 1-gallon, 25lb standard paint can.  Came UPS, no problem.  So paint is shippable.  In fact, I would bet that the paint they use at the factory is shipped to them.  Unless they're also a paint factory.

Maybe some enterprising local LD owner could open up a parts distribution service that does things like email, credit cards, and paint shipment, and charge for those services.  Hmmm...

Chip

Yes, should be no problem, at least through UPS. I just has a 5 gallon container of RollerRock, which is a paintable, colored stone coating, shipped to my front door. It even went through customs from Canada.

RollerRock - Real Roll-on Stone Coating
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #8 –
 Hi Chip, about those switches; I have a '99 TK, so I'm not familiar with your floorplan. The switch by the cabover bed usually is for a night light located somewhere in the downstairs to provide help at night. My light is located near the explosive gasses monitor. If you have a rear camera that activates when you are in reverse, the switch near the radio might be the manual on switch, so that it stays on when you aren't in reverse gear. LD did label that switch. Your switch might be there by the hood release. That switch might also be for an under the hood light. The switch by the outside 'yellow' light on my floorplan is the inside ceiling light near the entry door.
  I've never used my ladder. It is stored in my garage, (ready for the next owner). When I picked it up, the label fell off, to make it easier to read:
 Not made by LD.  ILC/Conroth, St. Joseph St. Bristol, IN 46507.     The feet appeared to be hard plastic. My ladder feet are probably really brittle by now also. Definitely not suited for hard flooring although mine would sit down in carpet. Rated for 200#, I would exceed that. Positioned in the area where my bathroom door would open, so that would be a nuisance. And I don't sleep in the cabover anyway. Rather than try to replace the feet, I more likely would construct a swivel baseplate covered with rubber nonskid to provide a better non slip/non marring solution. RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #9 –
Quote from: Chip Chester  - 
Since they apparently sell pre-mixed rattle cans and touch-up tubes, it would obviously be a great customer service thing if they would jump thru the not-very-difficult hoops to send them.
Maybe some enterprising local LD owner could open up a parts distribution service that does things like email, credit cards, and paint shipment, and charge for those services.  Hmmm...
LD only sell tiny bottles of touch up paint. Many years ago they did sell spray cans of paint.
The color charts are all obsolete.
To match the colored parts of your LD requires removing a exterior cargo door, of the proper color, and taking it to the paint shop for custom matching.
The doors come off easily after drilling out a 1/8" rivet, that keeps the door from sliding off its hinge.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #10 –
Ron, thanks for the lead on the ladder mfg.  They're now part of Patrick Industries, but I don't see any links to legacy parts on their site.  It's looking like time to get creative.  Should be entertaining.

And Larry, thanks for the paint update.  Some things are still true in the manual, and some are not.  The auto paint shop I have gone to just bring their toy outside to scan the actual vehicle, so maybe I can avoid disassembly.

I've been updating my original post as I find switch functions.  Thus far, I've found all but one -- the mystery dashboard switch.  The one buried down by the hood release turned out to be the valet switch to temporarily disable the alarm...

Now I'm after the Heliotrope RV30S manual.  Heard tell it was over on the old Yahoo site, so I've signed up for that.  I'll check there soon, unless it's lurking around here somewhere.

Chip 
2000 Front Lounge
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #11 –
Quote from: Chip Chester  - 

The auto paint shop I have gone to just bring their toy outside to scan the actual vehicle, so maybe I can avoid disassembly.

I've been updating my original post as I find switch functions.  Thus far, I've found all but one -- the mystery dashboard switch. 
Now I'm after the Heliotrope RV30S manual.
Heliotrope RV30S manual.
Yahoo! Groups

Does your LD have a 3-way refrigerator ( 120-VAC, 12-VDC and propane)?
If so, the dash switch may be for the refrigerator 12-volt operation.

When matching paint, it's easier for me to removed a cargo door, and drive my car, than to drive the LD 25 miles to the nearest shop that packages custom mix paint in spray cans. It isn't available for sale in L.A. County.
Removing a door is a one minute job. Drill out the aluminum pop rivet and slide the door off.
The rivet can be replaced with a 1/8" pop rivet or a very small sheet metal screw.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #12 –
We have a 2000 TK and had the same problem with our ladder several years ago.  The factory sent us what they had at the time, which was a molded strip of plastic that we had to cut to fit over each edge of the ladder bottom and then force into place.  Not a good solution, some stay on but some keep coming loose.   The strip is too stiff to mold around the ladder corners, so it takes three smaller pieces for each leg.  No where near as good as the original bottoms were.  I don't know what they have available now.
2000 TK
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #13 –
For the ladder, I'm wondering if a product like Plasti Dip would work?

Plasti Dip® - PLASTI DIP®
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #14 –
If you might consider an 'alternate solution', then perhaps a hardwood dowel  1" diameter you can purchase common round rubber feet for. Maybe 4" long and sand a flat about 3" long that you can bolt against the inside of the ladder rail bottom. This will increase the ladder length about 1", which should not be an issue. Alternatively you can get screw-on rubber feet, use a piece of 1X2 hardwood bolted to the rail bottom, and install machine-thread brass inserts the feet will attach to.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #15 –
I would say that if they didn't have the correct part years ago, they're unlikely to have it now.  So I'll be putting my plan B into play.  For stuff like this, it's a combination of expediency and function over form.  Stay tuned.

PlastiDip is about the consistency of the plastic on tool handles; nice and soft, but not tough enough for this application.  It's probably too fragile even as a coating for some standard foot.  Even the OEM solution was doomed to failure at the outset because the aluminum edge is both too sharp (which they could have addressed) and has too little surface area to adequately distribute the forces on it. 
Doesn't really even have to be rubber, just non-marring.  Although additional grip at the bottom helps keep stress off the hooks at the top. If it was on carpet, I'd cut C-shapes into tennis balls and pop 'em on.  Hmmm, maybe I can shave a tennis ball.  Gak!

Had to drive a bit today, so no mothership call 'til tomorrow afternoon or so.

Chip
2000 Front Lounge
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #16 –
Get a worn out motorcycle tire from any motorcycle shop. Take the sawzall and cut two three inch pieces out of the tire.  Now you have two 3 inch C shapes with the bead at the top of each.  Place the C around the bottom of the ladder, drill a few holes and through bolt and tighten them down.  These shouldn't slip on the floor or mark it and they will last forever.

As a harbor tug owner, used tires provide very useful material where one object rubs against another.  I'm presently making the similar, but larger pieces as I described above to reduce the metal to metal noise between the anchor and the bow roller while under way.

HD
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #17 –
Hi Chip. Nonslip ladder feet are available online. You might want to try one of these. RonB
  
    I'll try to put a link here.     Value Brand Step Ladder Shoes, PK4 PK130F | Zoro.com
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #18 –

While Plastic Dip is too soft and will not hold up, I bet 3M 5200, applied or cast around the feet, would hold up.
The stuff is about impossible to removed from other metals.

Ron's ladder feet also should work or you can make your own from aluminum angle, a sheet of rubber and contact cement.

The last cure is to replace the ladder with a new one. The one below is similar to the ladder in our LD.Amazon.com: Stromberg Carlson LA-466-B Bunk Ladder: Automotive

Larry

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #19 –
At $38 with free shipping, that might be the simplest solution posted.

HD
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #20 –
This is the "same" bunk ladder that I have in my 2003; the product description of the ladder contains this statement: "Rubber tread covers for bare footed comfort."  :o

Understand that unless one has "tire tread" feet soles, the above statement is highly misleading! Several "OW! !&$%#)**!" per rung! The ladder is sturdy, to be sure, but I suggest covering the rungs with softer material if one has tender feet - or can climb really fast!
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #21 –
"...if one has tender feet - or can climb really fast!"

Something like walking on hot coals, right Joan?

I use "Dry-Deck" in my shower... but the surface is so aggressive that I have to wear zorries to stand on it.   ;D
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #22 –
RE: "zorries"

Steve--

Thx for the vocabulary lesson...I love google--we called these "thongs" when I was growing up in the boonies of north Missouri, & I continued to do so 'til my easily annoyed teen-age daughter educated me several years ago (with great teen-age embarrassed exasperation) about the contemporary use of the word "thong," & that the proper term is now flip-flops.  Though flip-flops is nicely onomatopoetic, it seems a bit inefficient to have gone from six letters/one syllable to nine letters/two syllables...but I rather like your seven letter/two syllables.

Ah, well, I've served my purpose & embarrassed my kids into independent lives far, far away...

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #23 –
My parents, both born in the 1920's ,called them "Jap-Flaps."  I guess those terms are considered politically incorrect and insensitive nowadays.

Having a teenager's mother refer to her "Thongs" would be amusing...

HD
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Ladder feet
Reply #24 –
Thongs have migrated about 30" north in the intervening years.  Same coverage profile, though.

Chip
2000 Front Lounge