Old men and RV ladders

[mbulriss]

Much fancier than I was thinking Gardner, but certainly feasible. I
was thinking just straight stand-up and fold down poles on both sides
of the upper ladder that would provide stability for geting on and off
the roof in a standing manner rather than down on all fours. My
ladder sides wrap about 2-3 feet up over the roof, so I was thinking
the poles would drop down right on top of those rails when not in use.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minvan"
San Antonio, TX - stillll raining here again today! Arrggh! Acquifer
now 39' over historical average and within 3' of all time record
high... drought officially broken in all counties in Texas now!

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw"
wrote:
>
> I put up a new concept under Gardner & Kathy's '78 FC.
> Just another thought.
> Gardner
> '78FC33
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@>
> wrote:
> >
> > Steve,
> >
> > I thought the discussion was about having extendable/collapsible
> > handrails of some sort to allow standing access to/from the ladder
> > on/off the roof.... regardless of the reason for getting up there. I
> > don't think the original discussion had anything to do with 'why' we
> > we needed to get on the roof, just an easier way to do so with some
> > support. Sure would be handy not to have to crawl on and off over
> the
> > edge like today. Now that I think about it, it wouldn't be that
> hard
> > to fabricate a couple of 1/2 - 1" stainless square "handles" that
> > would lay along the top rails and just pivot up and down when needed
> > for steady roof access. Pivot pins could attach to or go right
> > through the original hand rail tops (depending how you fabricate
> them)
> > and the hinge assembly would act as a stop. Hmmmm.... I think I'll
> go
> > by the shop and do some measuring.
> >
> > Mike Bulriss
> > 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan" - with mounted tire on top via stainless
> > crane assembly; no storage pod, but I'm sure I would fill it if it
> had
> > one!
> > San Antonio, TX
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, ebirder2000@ wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Let's see... we are comparing the expansive basement storage
> space
> > available
> > > in a 97 43' coach to the verrry limited cargo space available in a
> > 78 FC 33.
> > >
> > > Could there be a bigger difference?
> > >
> > > Steve Anderson (60)
> > > 79 FC 35 with 2 storage pods and considering another.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > In a message dated 7/29/2007 5:27:48 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
> > > RoyalW1941@ writes:
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Gardner, I too have encountered the problem of getting from the
> > > ladder to the roof and standing up. I use a kneeling pad to
> crawl
> > > onto the roof and get into a better position to stand. I find
> the
> > > rear roof air conditioner provides some help in keeping my
> balance
> > > when standing up. The best idea is to stay off the roof as much
> as
> > > possible when you get as old as I am. I have removed my roof
> storage
> > > pods so I'm not tempted to store stuff up there. But I still
> find
> > > myself up there occasionally to do maintenance.
> > >
> > > Royal Washburn
> > > 97 43WL
> > >
> > > --- In _WanderlodgeForum@WanderlodgeFWan_
> > > (mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com) , "Gardner Yeaw"
>
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Somewhow this went fronm ladder estentions to fingers and
> rings.
> > > > Anyway, after climbing up on the roof today I rethought my
> plan. I
> > > > really don't neet the taller part of the rail at the back. It
> would
> > > > serve me better if it rose higher by the goat rail. That way
> as I
> > > > steped onto the platform I would have the higher part beside
> rather
> > > > than behind. Oh well, back to the drawing board.
> > > >
> > > > Gardner
> > > > 78FC33
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- In _WanderlodgeForum@WanderlodgeFWan_
> > > (mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com) , "Gardner Yeaw"
>
> > > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Ok, I'm not THAT old, but I am over 60 and climbing up the
> > > ladder
> > > > and
> > > > > getting onto the roof is a pain. I have to bend over at the
> top
> > > to
> > > > hold
> > > > > on as I get by feet on the platform. Then I stand up with
> nothing
> > > > to
> > > > > hold onto. Of course, to get down I have to do the reverse.
> My
> > > > knees
> > > > > sometimes give way for a moment and my balance reaction time
> > > ain't
> > > > what
> > > > > it used to be, so it feels pretty precarious standing on
> that
> > > > little
> > > > > platform till I get to the roof.
> > > > >
> > > > > So what I want is a retractable handrail extention at the
> top
> > > of
> > > > the
> > > > > ladder so I can get to the top standing up. Has anyone made
> > > > something
> > > > > like this or seen anything on the market. I have a fair idea
> of
> > > how
> > > > I
> > > > > would make it, but I am always open to anyones suggestions.
> > > > >
> > > > > It would also have too be wired so an alarm sounds if I
> leave
> > > it
> > > > up
> > > > > and try to drive off..(my memory ain't what it used to be
> either)
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Gardner
> > > > > 78FC33
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the
> > all-new AOL at
> > > http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
> > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> >
>