hanging items on ladder while traveling

[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.

[RMcNeal]

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.

[DQDick]

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.

[twindman]

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!

[PNW Fireguy]

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.

[TLightning]

I don't carry anything back there....don't want to look like the Clampetts.

[Rick n Kelly]

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.

[dieselguy]

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.

[Dave W]

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 ...........

[baybum10]

I hauled two bikes from NJ to FL. The bouncing almost wore completely through the ladder step.

[Mocron]

Anyone had success in repairing a sagging stand-off? If so, how did you do it? Thanks

[Inspector0128]

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.

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.

[GrayPDX]

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.

[Patrickdoran]

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.

[Kent Carter]

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’

[krahopkin]

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

[Texan]

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.

[Kicknbak]

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.

[John shultz]

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.

[Mocron]

I have one stand-off that's pulling away.Thanks for sharing.