Broken Ladder

[1998chinook]

My ladder broke right at the top step. The sticker on the ladder indicates that it is from TopLine. TopLine lists a universal RV ladder on their website. I contacted TopLine and they said the universal ladder will most likely not align with the same mounting points. They said I could remove my ladder and cut it into three pieces and mail it back to them and the would make a replacement. The cost for postage to/from and the replacement ladder costs could be $300-$400. I've contacted some craigslist posters advertising welding services, but most do not weld aluminum.

I'm thinking of trying to fix the ladder my self by inserting a portion of galvanized pipe inside the existing hollow tube supports.

[Manitou]

For what it's worth, I started to learn how to weld for a boat I used to have. What I'm saying is, maybe talk to some boat tower building places. They can weld anything (although they do charge a bit more for that)

[1998chinook]

Today I took the ladder off the Chinook.



The ladder is broken right at the top rung.



I can tell the ladder was broken before I got the Chinook because I see JB Weld everywhere...

There is a sticker on the ladder that displays the manufacturer, TopLine Manufacturing (http://www.toplinemfg.com). I contacted them and they said they could build a replica of my existing ladder but I would need to cut mine up into smaller pieces and ship it to them. The cost for a replacement would be $125 - $175. The cost for postage for me to send my ladder and them to ship the replacement would be $150 (approx). So the total cost for a replacement ladder would be roughly $300 - $350.

Searching the local craigslist, I found a guy that can weld aluminum. He said he would charge me $85 to weld the ladder back together.

[1998chinook]

Here are the mount points:

Facing the rear of the coach:

Top Left:



Top Right:



More evidence of JB Weld on this mount point.

[Manitou]

There ya go!

[1998chinook]

Bottom mount point:



Upon inspection all of the mount points show stress cracks.

[1998chinook]

Rung / tread where the break happened:



More JB Weld.

[1998chinook]

The rungs are held in by roll pins.

I called TopLine for a replacement tread because I was unable to remove the existing roll pins in that top step without damaging the tread. I'm extremely disappointed in TopLine, they would not sell me a single rung due to "liability issues". They said that unless they installed the tread they couldn't guarantee proper installation.

I was able to find a replacement rung and couplers at factoryrvsurplus.com

[1998chinook]

The aluminum ends of the ladder are flared, this is how the top and bottom mount points work.



The ladder connects to the center support with an expansion nut.

[1998chinook]

In talking to the craigslist welder (Wes), he said that aluminum tubing is not sturdy enough for frequent use. He said those RV ladders, for the most part, are used to get on the roof and check the AC about once a year. I'm starting to understand why mine was broken. My Chinook came with a roof Thule storage box and I'm sure it was accessed frequently via the ladder.

He said he could fabricate a sturdy replacement or I could purchase a telescopic ladder for frequent roof access.