Folding free standing ladder

[Fjb]

Saw this on Amazon and thinking it could be a useful additional gadget for our Chinook.......

[chin_k]

Looks like a great design. Need to make sure all the rivets are in the right place, since one reviewer on Amazon got one that seems to be made on Friday afternoon, just before the weekend. The issue with these collapsible ladders is that there are so many pieces that it can be dangerous to your finger getting pinched, or failing. It is the price you pay for the flexibility, I guess.

[HoosierB]

Get one you can take with you. Telescoping 12.5' ladder, about $90 on amazon.

[Fjb]

I did see that one but prefer the long narrow size of 3 1/2 “x 4 1/2” x 75” long of the one that I mentioned in the first post.

[chin_k]

I wonder if it is possible to mount a vinyl post behind the waste tanks, and use it to hold the ladder. The rig is more than 7 feet wide, so there should be enough space to keep a 6 or 7 feet ladder there.

[Fjb]

Just saw this mod on trailer life.com.......
I made a storage tube for my 25-pound, 7-foot double-rung folding ladder out of a 5-by-5-by-96-inchplastic fence post with caps on each end. The storage tube is attached to the underside of the trailer via 3/8-by-6-by-7-inch square U-bolts using nylock nuts on either side of the trailer’s frame. I cut the tube so it is 6 inches longer than the ladder when folded up. One end of the tube is sealed off with a fence-post cap using PVC glue and screws. At the other end, I riveted on a fence-post cap with a stainless hinge and hasp for easy access to the ladder.

To keep the ladder from sliding around inside the tube and hitting the end caps while underway, I drilled two holes at each end and added bolts that run horizontally. I cut the threaded end off two ½-by-8-inch hex bolts to make them ½-inch longer than the width of the post. I put flat washers on each side of both bolts, run the bolts through the holes and use hairpin clips to keep the bolts from sliding out.

[Fjb]

https://www.trailerlife.com/tech/10-min ... 3_01182020

[chin_k]

Would thick foam under the end caps be better, since it won't scratch the ladder like the bolts? Just a arm-chair suggestion.

[Doc]

I store my folding ladder behind the roof ladder and secure it to the ladder with bungee cords so it doesn't touch the Chinook's body.

[chin_k]

bungee cord will deteriorate under the sun, and you may end up dropping it on the road, or scratch up your rig. Check it often to make sure it is doing it job.