Ladder Structurally Inadequate Design

[werhapy]

Dear Keystone:
Please review the vendor test data for the ATWOOD ladders. The 300 lb rating for the Atwood ladder is not even close as there are too many failures with ordinary people loading. The safety factor should be selected for much lower failure probability with loads less than ratings. My ladder is one of the failures with about 270 lb of person and stuff. An added insert in the inboard side of the step would significantly improve the capacity and reliability that is currently limited by plastic end cap that is used as a primary load path. Where the must carry the full step weight load, it should not be in tension but only in compression. As designed, the center screw breaks out the top of the cap but the over length screw might catch the aluminum extrusion inboard of the post to prevent catastrophic fall. This is not a safe design.

[ONERUNNING]

Yes, I agree with what wayne has said. I took delivery of our 2010 3400RL on Feb. 11th 2010. Before we ever took it on the road, one of the rungs on the ladder broke with me as I was taking a look at the roof. Of course it was returned to the dealer, and repaired at no cost to me. However, it very well could have resulted into a serious injury.

[Trailer Trash 2]

I have never liked the way our ladders are installed or there so called weight allowances they need more supports on there rails, but with big windows that looks impossable. thats why I carry a ladder and go up 3/4 the way up on it and the rest of the way up on keystones non approved OSHA ladder. I believe all manufactures need to look at there roof access systems.

[sola123]

I have had the same problems with the ladder on our 2011 model...the plastic ends on the steps crack easily..I need to have 2 replaced now...can you replace them yourself???...I agree the ladder design or at least the steps should be looked at again for safety reasons...

[richfaa]

We will have to check and see why our ladder on the 06 3400 has not yet broken. Bikes have been bounced on it and I have been up and down it many times over the past 4 years.So far no problems??????.

[werhapy]

Keystone suspects that the problem is with recently built ladder parts. They are replacing entire ladder assemblies where there is a failure of a plastic end fitting on any step. When I told the Keystone tech that my dealer said that they just change out the broken part and scrap the rest of the replacement that they are sent he wanted names to call since that would not be a proper fix if there is indeed a bad lot of end cap parts on the 2011's.

I had no problem with my old '05 that was the same design. This also suggests that there is a recent manufacturing problem. I still think that having a filler on the inboard side of the step would be a much better design since the plastic cap would not be in tension. As a temporary fix, I fitted a wood piece to the inboard side of the step so there is no load on the cap. The factory screw is long enough to go through the tube and into this wood part. A bit of Gorilla glue and a zip tie holds the cap pieces in place till fall when I'll get the factory approved repair done.

[8e3k0]

Our 09 3400RL ladder looks okay and we have had a 5 foot step ladder attached to it with many miles. I also feel safe climbing the ladder but I am only about 195 in weight. I guess this is what happens when another manufacture comes in and low balls on the tender process; it tend to cost in warranty issues later.