Not all RVs come with ladders leading up to the roof, so if you have one, consider yourself lucky! It makes things easier when you have one that’s permanently attached (plus it is space-saving!).
On your current RV, is there a permanent ladder attached that leads up to the roof? Please tell us in the poll below. Thanks!
The FREE RVtravel.com newsletter is filled with great RV information, advice, and news written by RV experts, delivered right to your inbox. Never any SPAM and we will NEVER sell your information! When you subscribe, you'll get three checklists that every RVer should have as a thank you!
A Permanent Address for RV Freedom — Full-time RVers trust America’s Mailbox for mail forwarding, residency help, and reliable support from the road.
Our most popular articles this week:
SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOUR RV?
Good news! We have more than 3,500 articles in our “RV Maintenance and Repair” category, so we’re confident we can help you solve the problem. In addition, did you know you can search our website using the search bar at the top of every page for keywords or topics that interest you or that you need help with? Yep, we’ve got you covered!
Everything on sale for RVers right now. Yes, right now! Click here.
Please follow our rules for commenting.
Our current RV is our fourth one and the only one that does not have a ladder on the back. Before picking it up we asked the dealer to check with Entegra to see if one could be installed. They were told that the structure did not allow for it. We like the RV otherwise but makes it more difficult to check or clean the roof.
Get one of the telescoping ladders, they’re very compact and light weight and sturdy.
Our 21 year-old travel trailer has a permanent ladder, but the previous owners also gave us a collapsible ladder to go with the trailer. This ladder folds in much like a camping chair and is about the same size as a five foot long 4×4.
When I purchased my Outdoors RV trailer, the ladder didn’t seem secure.. I pointed it out to Thompson RV in Pendleton and the service guy blew me off. I wanted the trailer, so I went ahead with the sale. The ladder was loose in the brackets, so I put zip screws through the mount into the ladder at each level. It may not have ever pulled out, but why take the risk. Thompson’s could have done the same, or at least have acted concerned. When our son, who was looking for a 5th wheel heard this, he bought at another dealer, even though he was the one who originally took us to Thompson’s.
Our Class A doesn’t have a ladder, but I wish it did. Our previous Class C had one. Much better having one while camping rather than having to haul around a portable ladder or trying to find one to borrow.
My travel trailer has one on the side, since it’s a toy hauler. It collapses to the side. While it seems very sturdy, it is hard to climb since it’s so close to the side. I have only used it a few times to check the roof for fallen branches after a storm. At home, a real ladder comes out.
I chose not to have an outside ladder on my class B because I often boondock alone and didn’t want to provide a way for anyone to get on my roof. I carry a telescoping ladder but sure would prefer to use that storage space for other things. I’ve searched to no avail for a permanently mounted, long-enough outside ladder that would collapse or fold up the way marine ladders do.
If you have to store it on top, how much stuff are you taking with you?
It’s not necessarily about storing stuff on top. It gives quick and easy access to the roof for repairs and maintenance and there’s one less thing to bring along or borrow from a neighbor.
I get up there to clean the solar panels and inspect the various vents etc.
The general rule used to be: if it has a ladder, you can walk on the roof. If not, stay off. I don’t know if this still applies.
The roof on my trailer that doesn’t have a ladder feels a lot more solid than the roof on the one that does.
I wouldn’t trust the opinion of the manufacturer, they’re idiots. I test every one I walk on, one step at a time.
I have one…but it doesn’t go all the way up to the roof. When my Class C was brand new and I was first practicing backing into tight spaces I hit the overhanging roof of my garage and destroyed the top two steps. Because, of course, the back up camera looks down, not up. I’ve never had it fixed for two reasons: (1) No one who climbs to the roof ever uses those top two steps anyway, and (2) It’s a reminder to look for danger in more than just the obvious spots.
I have two trailers, one does, one doesn’t…
My old MH has one but I took the roof rack off and don’t use it anymore. Maybe I’ll remove it someday.
Our 2006 class A did , but our 2018 class A does not. I bought a Uline 12 foot rolling ladder with a 20’ inch platform for our RV garage so my husband can get on top, clean windows, do repairs. It really comes in handy and very safe.
Trick question? Half of mine is permanent and the other half isn’t.
Some DP coaches like ours have only the top half of the rear ladder permanently attached to the coach. The bottom half is stored in a basement compartment and easily hooks onto the bottom of the top half when using.
Yes, we have one. It’s very convenient for our local mobile RV technician. I, however, have been banned from going up there by my copilot. She’s all about pilot safety.
Yes and I use it all the time to clean my solar panels.
Yes. I avoid climbing it (I’m 81) but it’s handy to lash my extending antenna pole to, and my portable solar panels.
I’m with you on this one! I’m also 81, and no way I’m trusting the ladder (or me). Only use I have for it is to mount my Flag buddy mount to it!
Yes, but why is the first step so high off the ground?!
Although permanent, the bottom of the ladder ends several feet above the ground. When we use it we remove the lower half of the ladder from the storage bay where we keep it. I suppose only attaching the top half of the ladder enhances the security of our RV. We soon will buy our second RV and it lacks a ladder. We plan to buy one and keep it in one of the storage bays.
I said no because I own a Winnebago Journey and half the ladder is permanent the other half is stored in the basement. Since I began carrying a little giant ladder we no longer carry the lower half. We use the little giant to reach the top half of the ladder
Permanent ladders on all three of our RV’s, starting with 1975 GMC Motorhome. Have used them on a regular basis. At home, we have 2 Little Giants.
I have the same set up so I said yes since it is permanently attached at the top regardless of how you reach that portion.
Yes, use it for roof checks and cleaning as well as a separate step stool to reach bottom ring.
I attach a bike carrier to the ladder, so I can use the hitch. SAFETY TIP, when I climb up the ladder to the roof, I wear a bike helmet just in case.
Removed it. Not sure why but it seemed to invite people who were not me to climb on top of my rig. I replaced it with a ladder that folds into one of the storage spaces.
I use mine a lot to tilt the solar panels and 2 years ago I had to replace it because of a low hanging limb 🙁
There is a Torque trailer next to me with a folding side ladder which I’ve never seen before.
I don’t see how the ladder on outside is space saving. You still have the part that is removable that must be stored and attached to access the permanent part of the ladder. When an rv comes without a ladder it seems it comes with a ladder that folds and is more easily storable. At least the last rv show I went to had a collapsible ladder in the closet with the rv.
You shouldn’t be be climbing up on Class B Sprinter.. it’s dangerous… you can slip and fall off…. that’s why there’s no ladder……. it’s a metal roof….. just like a car
I don’t have one nor do I want one. First of all they all have a minimal weight limit. It also gives others access to the roof. I think they look tacky. When ever I see one going down the road with stuff hanging on them, I think of the Beverly Hillbillies.
Yes I have a permanent ladder affixed to my Classs C RV.
I also have a painted piece of plywood I can hook over the lower rungs (when parked) to keep small children from climbing.
I have one but finding myself using the extension ladder stored in the garage more often than not. For one thing it is more steady and the rungs are larger and more comfortable. I’m up there mostly to put the cover on or take the cover off. Have never had need to access the roof while traveling. Whenever I get on the RV ladder a photo of one that pulled off when the owner was climbing (probably saw that here) always comes to mind.