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06-21-2020, 02:21 PM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Clayton
Posts: 9
M.O.C. #26361
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hanging items on ladder while traveling
Wanted to get input from people who do (or have) used their ladder to mount bikes or kayaks while driving to campsite. Is the ladder substantially attached to the RV that hanging relatively light weight items (a 35lb kayak or 2)? My 377FL has no trailer hitch receiver. If it did I would have purchased a bike/kayak rack to mount in there. I am on the fence about getting a rack for the RAM 2500's roof (like this https://1drv.ms/u/s!ApcuyTweWABWuEAr...KKZqC?e=FQngLW )
as it is a short bed pickup.
Thoughts? Especially from those who have used it with no problems - or those that had damage to the RV from the weight on the ladder.
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06-22-2020, 05:15 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 2,189
M.O.C. #25165
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I've seen this a lot as well. I have never hung anything off our ladder while traveling though. I assume since it can hold me at over 200 lbs., it should be able to hold a 35 lb. kayak. I'd just make sure it is well attached so as not to bounce around and scratch or rub something and cause damage.
__________________
Robert & Diana McNeal
2019 Montana Legacy 3791RD 20th Anniversary Edition
2014 F350 4x4 6.7L SRW
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06-22-2020, 08:25 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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Used to carry stuff on the ladder of our 2010 with no problems. Haven't done it on the 2017 since I have a friend who's rear wall began to detach. Not sure what caused it, but was enough to scare me.
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Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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06-22-2020, 08:29 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mesa az
Posts: 2,987
M.O.C. #5651
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I carried a 6 or 7 ft. stepladder all the way to Alaska and back (from AZ) one year. I had no problems, but quit doing that since I never used it for the whole trip!
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Tom and Gail
2013 Mountaineer 362
2012 Silverado 2500
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06-22-2020, 09:19 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Arlington
Posts: 1,523
M.O.C. #18081
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Carrying lightweight item(s) is about all the OEM ladder is good for IMHO. After carrying an inexpensive bicycle for some time our ladder experienced a fatigue failure when used for its intended purpose under human weight. I am not sure that the attachment method is so much the weak point rather than the construction material and design. The thin tubing is just not substantial and the ring connection points actually introduce weak points subject to fatigue failure.
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SOB
2015 Volvo VNL780 D13, iShift, 32k ET air hitch, Idle Free LiFePO4 APU
16.8KWhr LiFePO4, 2.52 kw solar, 10kva Victron split phase
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06-22-2020, 04:10 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kville
Posts: 2,865
M.O.C. #7871
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I don't carry anything back there....don't want to look like the Clampetts.
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06-22-2020, 04:47 PM
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#7
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Established Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Brownwood
Posts: 46
M.O.C. #24855
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Had a 2002 Alpha carried alum. step ladder. Have not pulled 2020 3791 RD, it has hitch probably will purchase rack for hitch. Full-time with work in West Texas.
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06-22-2020, 06:09 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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We used to carry 2 bikes on a bike mount made to attach to RV ladders. It worked, but after one season, showed signs of scuffing and wear to the bike mount. I was following my son pulling my fiver and observed a scene that shocked me. We never hauled bikes on the ladder again. Hard to visualize just how much they move around no matter how secure you think you have them.
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06-23-2020, 07:27 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 1,789
M.O.C. #14547
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Just remember that this is at the tail end of a bouncing RV where the forces are intensified by the movement - up/ stop reverse and so on over every bump. That 30 pound object can end up putting many times that weight on a ladder. Think of simple physics and inertia(Newton's Law).
Of course many haul step ladders and other items successfully - some are lucky if there is too much weight - others ...........
__________________
Dave W
2014 Montana High Country 343RL (Sold!)
2011 Ford 6.7 Lariat CCLB (Went to PU Heaven)
2019 F150SC XLT SE Sport,w/full tow package
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06-28-2020, 01:44 PM
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#10
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Dover
Posts: 75
M.O.C. #15866
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I hauled two bikes from NJ to FL. The bouncing almost wore completely through the ladder step.
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2014 High Country 318RE
2012 F250 6.7 long bed with B&W Hitch
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06-28-2020, 02:26 PM
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#11
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Established Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Livingston
Posts: 28
M.O.C. #23093
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Anyone had success in repairing a sagging stand-off? If so, how did you do it? Thanks
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06-28-2020, 07:12 PM
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#12
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: SUN CITY WEST
Posts: 22
M.O.C. #25705
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 4Callahans
Wanted to get input from people who do (or have) used their ladder to mount bikes or kayaks while driving to campsite. Is the ladder substantially attached to the RV that hanging relatively light weight items (a 35lb kayak or 2)? My 377FL has no trailer hitch receiver. If it did I would have purchased a bike/kayak rack to mount in there. I am on the fence about getting a rack for the RAM 2500's roof (like this https://1drv.ms/u/s!ApcuyTweWABWuEAr...KKZqC?e=FQngLW )
as it is a short bed pickup.
Thoughts? Especially from those who have used it with no problems - or those that had damage to the RV from the weight on the ladder.
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Did I understand this correctly? A 3/4 ton short box Ram pulling a 16,000 lb Trailer? If so, may as well add the bikes and kayaks.
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2020 294RL
2019 Silverado 3500 Duramax, SRW, CC Reg box
B&W Companion slider hitch
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06-28-2020, 07:13 PM
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#13
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New Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Portland
Posts: 7
M.O.C. #21175
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I wouldn't think that the ladders are designed/installed to be used to hang heavy items while traveling. A ladder is usually pretty light, so I can see that one working. Last year I was following my son and his 5er on Hwy 101 in Seaside OR. The road there is pretty bumpy so it put a lot of stress on his Thule hitch mount bike rack. And all of sudden, it gave way and the rack and 2 bikes started bouncing down the highway. Luckily we weren't going fast and I was able to avoid hitting them and pulled over to pull them off the highway. Then called him and told him what happened. Bikes were totaled - a real mess. And Thule makes a good rack but it couldn't take the stress of 2 bikes on that bumpy road. So if you go the hitch route, I'd suggest checking for any stress cracks before taking off on a trip. Could save you a headache down the road - not to mention an accident if someone was following you too closely and unable to stop in time.
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2018 3790RD
2016 F350 6.7L, Super Crew Cab
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06-28-2020, 07:29 PM
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#14
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Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Fulton
Posts: 19
M.O.C. #26161
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I have the exact same camper as you. I agree with most of the people that replied. I would stay away from mounting anything off the ladder. We ended up putting old bed sheets over the bed and laid our bikes on top of the bed. Seems to work ok. We did the same thing with our old camper too. I would avoid the ladder mount. Another option you might consider is getting someone to weld a small bumper on the back and mount the bikes off of that.
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06-29-2020, 02:44 PM
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#15
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New Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Bassfield
Posts: 5
M.O.C. #22220
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I strap my 76lb kayak to my ladder all the time and no problem. I figured if it would hold a person why not? What I was concerned with was height. I made sure my kayak was not higher than my air conditioners. 10.6’
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06-29-2020, 03:33 PM
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#16
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Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Idaho Falls
Posts: 22
M.O.C. #17294
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I had a satellite dish mounted on top of the ladder, it took a couple of years, but it broke the ladder, will not carry anything there again
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06-29-2020, 05:07 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2017
Location: new caney
Posts: 1,050
M.O.C. #19873
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I travel with a 7' fiberglass step ladder strapped to the rv ladder and have not had any problem. I have about 15,000 miles on the rv traveling that way and so far so good. If you do strap something on the ladder then be sure it is secured very tight with bungee straps so as to not do any bouncing while going down the road. Securement is just as important as weight.
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06-30-2020, 10:13 AM
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#18
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Golden
Posts: 3
M.O.C. #21104
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I read the ladder is load rated at 250 lbs. but thats static/motionless load. I once had to fix a ladder that was not assembled correctly from the rv manufacturer. I haven't trusted them since, not even with my own weight of 215. Screws are easily sheared, loosened. The way the standoffs are assembled they act like levers to affect the few mounting screw points.
As the old saying goes; If you want it done right, do it yourself. I would go with adding a lightweight hitch and carrier. Imho.
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07-01-2020, 09:31 PM
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#19
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New Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: hobart
Posts: 5
M.O.C. #19844
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yes, I repaired 5 of them. I ground off the heads and then disconnected the screw from the screw from the camper mount and ended up using a 5/16 counter sunk 6 inch stainless screw. i fastened it to the camper with the old screw cover, used silicone and let the extra stick out past the ladder tube. i used a curved washer I made and use a locking nut. I had to hold the screw end with vise grips to tightened it up and then cut off the excess end. since the connection by the camper is a 4 screw cover, it held very nicely. we have a 2003 Keystone montana. it has been very reliable. i have had to change my spring shackes separately 3 times, during my inspections while on the road. Carry extras. It is nice to be challenged.
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07-01-2020, 09:56 PM
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#20
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Established Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Livingston
Posts: 28
M.O.C. #23093
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I have one stand-off that's pulling away.Thanks for sharing.
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