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Topic: Living Long Term With Arby - A Ladder Alternative (Read 18 times) previous topic - next topic
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Living Long Term With Arby - A Ladder Alternative
Yahoo Message Number: 134916
Both of our motorhomes (Arby and his predecessor, a Provan Tiger CX) shared a common problem.
 The factory ladders provided for accessing the cab-over bed were too narrow for us to use safely, particularly on the way down. In addition, the steps were so small that they hurt our bare or slippered feet. In both coaches, we opted to use an alternative that was safer, more comfortable, and suitable for more than one purpose.
 Here's the direct link: http://flic.kr/p/drwKE1

Thanks for visiting, George
 PS: If anyone is interested, I posted a sampling of my dabbling in macro and extreme macro photography. Here's the set level link to them:

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjCKhPPC
 There are 129 images so just look at the set thumbnails and click on any one of them you'd like to see larger. Unless otherwise noted (or obvious) all of the mini-critters are alive, not chilled or incapacitated and were returned to the wild unharmed after the shoot. If you would like to discuss any of them, let's do it by email.

G.
Re: Living Long Term With Arby - A Ladder Alternative
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 134921
"PS: If anyone is interested, I posted a sampling of my dabbling in macro and extreme macro photography. Here's the set level link to them: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjCKhPPC>"

Stunning photos! Don't miss seeing these, folks.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Living Long Term With Arby - A Ladder Alternative
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 134927
Quote
"PS: If anyone is interested, I posted a sampling of my dabbling in macro and extreme macro photography. Here's the set level link to them: "

Stunning photos! Don't miss seeing these, folks.
I agree, good work!

Art
Art and Barbara
Settled in Atterdag Village of Solvang
2015-2022 fulltime in a 2016 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP
2002-2015 2002 LD MB
Art's blog
Re: Living Long Term With Arby - A Ladder Alternative
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 134933
Quote
The factory ladders provided for accessing the cab-over bed were too narrow for us to use safely, particularly on the way down. In addition, the steps were so small that they hurt our bare or slippered feet.
When we switched from our '83 to the '04 FLs, we had the same issue. The older ladder was sturdy, with wide, comfortable carpeted steps - the newer one felt flimsy and inappropriate for this class of rig. As we sleep in the bunk, I found it too uncomfortable, so I swapped them out before selling the old rig - apologies to the new owner, but he and his family are considerably younger...
 The old ladder was a bit short, so I lengthened the legs a few inches to keep the ascent angle correct. This was easy, since the older ladder frame and step supports are made of rigid U-channel aluminum - not the flexy tubular stuff of the newer one. Had I not had the swap option, I likely would have made a new one similar to that, since I don't think you can buy a decent one. For bunk access for sleeping, I think a lightweight stepladder is too unstable, compared to one firmly attached to the bunk edge.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Living Long Term With Arby - A Ladder Alternative
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 134936
wrote: For bunk access for sleeping, I think a lightweight stepladder is too unstable, compared to one firmly attached to the bunk edge.
--- Agreed. The hard rubber-clad rungs on the supplied ladder are bare feet-killers, but the ladder itself is stable, lightweight, and it stows on top of the overcab bed when not in use. Those who sleep in the overcab and have tender feet might want to wrap the rungs with closed cell foam or carpeting, held in place by tie wraps.

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Living Long Term With Arby - A Ladder Alternative
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 134937
I agree completely about the light-weight issue for "sleeping" access, Steve. That's why I made the specific recommendation for a steel frame model for that use. The steel-framed one I used
Re: Living Long Term With Arby - A Ladder Alternative
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 134939
Quote
I agree completely about the light-weight issue for "sleeping" access, Steve. That's why I made the specific recommendation for a steel frame model for that use. The steel-framed one I used in our first motorhome was quite heavy and more than stable enough for both of us to be comfortable using it instead of the narrow factory "hang-on". I have seen some models with sufficient height at the top loop to allow securing it to the cab-over edge in some way. Of course, this is a subject where everyone's mileage may vary. :-)))
George, if you are talking a steel-framed stepladder, I don't think that helps the safety issue much - and it is unnecessarily heavy. Stepping down from the bunk onto an unseen stepladder is a safety issue due to vector mechanics - the weight of the ladder is pretty small compared to the typical 150+ lbs of the person descending. Even a lightweight, flexible, aluminum ladder attached to the bunk would be much safer - which is why LD includes them. I'm simply lamenting that the newer ladders are inferior by design to the old ones, with very little weight savings. However, LD probably orders them in bulk, with no expensive labor contribution of their own.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
 
Re: Living Long Term With Arby - A Ladder Alternative
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 134941
I share that lament as well, Steve.
 Actually, my biggest problem with motorhomes and ladders is the apparent manufacturer belief that all RV'ers are as skinny as a beanpole after a hot summer. If they considered real owners, the ladders, both inside and out, would be at least 24 inches wide. I could get up on Arby's roof easily enough but getting my body back on to the ladder with its narrowly spaced rails was scary.
 The Provan Tiger was even worse. Its narrow ladder actually stopped two feet below the curl of the roof and there was nothing on the roof to grab...just flat fiberglas. It was so useless, I removed it. When the new owner flew down from Alaska to take possession, I showed it to him and explained the situation. He told me to throw it away.

George
 I'm simply lamenting that the newer ladders are inferior by design to the old ones, with very little weight savings. However, LD probably orders them in bulk, with no expensive labor contribution of their own.