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If you own an RV, you know the importance of maintaining your rig. One of the most important pieces of your rig, new or old, is your roof.

If you’re like me and your travel trailer doesn’t have an attached ladder, your roof can feel fairly inaccessible to you as an RV owner. It can also feel impossible to lug around a standard house ladder with you while you’re trying to enjoy RVing!

Thankfully folding ladders exist, and it’s a blessing for RVers in particular. Looking for a portable ladder to keep with your rig for those routine roof maintenance times? Check out why a foldable ladder may change the game for you!

But if you just want to see which ones made our list of favorites you can see them here:

Types of Folding Ladders

You may be wondering how many types of foldable ladders there are out there. Thankfully, there’s nothing too complicated; it all boils down to two basic designs!

Telescoping

The most popular type of collapsing ladder is telescoping. This essentially means that the ladder collapses downward on itself, rather than needing to be folded up. The legs and even the rungs often have telescoping capabilities.

These ladders are the latest tech and have many of the advantages most RVers are looking for. They dominate our product list and for good reason! They are lightweight, compact, and versatile. While these may all be perks, the price point may be a little high for some of you.

Folding

A classic style of portable ladder, folding is the other primary type of ladder we’ll be looking at. Folding ladders are quite sturdy but never get quite as small as telescoping. If you need quite a tall ladder, storage may be something you need to consider. 

Folding ladders are often a little less expensive and heavier, which may give you more peace of mind while on the ladder! They are quite stable, but keeping your overall rig weight in mind might be important to some of you.

Why Bring a Ladder When You’re RVing?

You may be wondering why a ladder might matter while you’re RVing, and it may not. However, I’m always a proponent of ‘better safe than sorry’, so the idea of a portable RV ladder is appealing to me!

Your new folding ladder may come in handy at home too, but it’ll no doubt come in handing in your RV. Bringing a ladder along on your camping trips may feel like overkill, but here are some guaranteed handy uses for your new gadget!:

• Routine RV roof maintenance
• Decorating your campsite
• Window and other exterior washing
• Emergency needs during inclement weather
• AC and other RV roof vent access
• Awning maintenance

If you’re just going on a quick trip with the whole family and need the space, it’s not a bad idea to leave the ladder behind. But if you’re planning a long trip, especially through inclement weather, having a foldable ladder in your rig may come more in handy than you think!

As a full-timer, having a foldable ladder is a necessity for me. I need to check on my rig’s roof often, and it’s great to have such a small and capable device around. You may find yourself thinking the same!

The Importance of Maintaining Your RV’s Roof

The number one use of a foldable ladder is maintaining your RV’s roof and other roof accessories. While it can come in handy in other aspects of RVing or camping, having a foldable ladder stored in your rig is most likely used for roof care.

While it depends on what your roof is made out of, there are some basic steps you can take to maintain your RV’s roof, and a ladder is step one in the process! You’ll thank yourself later, if you’re able to keep these basic maintenance items in mind. 

Check On Your Rig’s Roof- Just Take a Look!

The easiest trick you can do to help expand the life of your rig’s roof is simply getting on a ladder and looking at it. Check out the roof, if it’s dirty, if there’s any new wear and tear. You’d be surprised what you might find, and you may discover potential problems before they occur! 

Make sure you don’t cause more issues, though- not all RV roofs are safe to stand on, and you may cause more harm than good should you step where you don’t belong. Good thing you have a ladder though, right?

Wash the Roof from Time to Time

Washing the roof (and the rest) of your rig once a month or so can be a major help when it comes to RV maintenance. Clean your roof with care, and if you plan on using any products, make sure they are designed for your roof’s material specifically. Not all RV roofs are created equal!

Washing your RV’s roof may not be necessary if it is stored under a cover, but it’s smart to give it a rinse before you hit the road. Should you have any roof leaks or weak sealant, a good wash should reveal this potential. Should you have a leak, it’s better to discover it before you hit the road, don’t you think?

Check Your Roof’s Sealant

Sealants are what keeps your RV dry inside, and depending on your rig, you may have quite a few seams. Your roof may have more seams than you think, as well as an overall rubber or other material coating. 

Keeping an eye out for wear and tear along the seams of your trailer is a good idea, especially before inclement weather. Plus, if your roof is coated, that coating should be replaced every so often, depending on what material it is made out of. Make sure to check the product description for when your roof’s coating needs to be reapplied!

Clean Your Skylights and AC

A ladder comes in handy for those tricky to clean spots too! Your RV’s skylights and AC unit need cleaning too, and it’s difficult to access these spots without a ladder. Make sure you maintain a clean skylight and AC unit to ensure that your RV works well for years to come!

What to Consider in a Foldable Ladder

Besides the two primary types of foldable ladders, there are some other factors to consider before making your final purchase. Keep these things in mind before you get shopping!

Weight

Your rig’s overall weight matters, both for your tow vehicle and your rig’s frame. Each axle is only meant to hold so much weight, and some foldable ladders can be pretty heavy, despite their portable nature. If weight is a big concern for you, make sure you’re looking at how heavy some of these ladders are!

Folded Size

While all of these ladders fold up and get smaller, you may want to consider the size of the ladder when it’s being stored. If you’re planning to keep the ladder in your rig or exterior storage boxes, you may wish to purchase the smallest ladder you can manage. Foldable ladders pack a lot of punch in a small package, but it still may be wise to consider the size of it all folded up!

Height of Your Rig

Do you know how tall your rig is? If you’re looking to purchase a folding ladder for your RV, you should of course make sure it is tall enough to reach the roof of it! Measure carefully and accurately, and you should have no trouble finding a ladder that reaches the roof of your rig!

Your Safety

While most RVers strike me as the do-it-yourself type, your safety should always be a priority. When shopping for ladders, foldable or otherwise, always keep in mind how easy your ladder will be to operate, especially if you are planning to operate it alone. 

Having a safety spotter around is always a good idea, but not always possible. If you plan on taking a solo trip and wish to use a ladder, feel free! But take your time, do so slowly, and keep an eye out for ladders that promote use for single people. There are also additional safety handles and accessories you can purchase should this be a large concern for you!

The Best Folding Ladders for Your RV

Know how tall of a ladder you need? Feeling confident about your budget? Then let’s take a look at some of the best folding ladders out there for your RV!

Best Overall Ladder: TACKLIFE Telescoping Ladder

Pros

• Many ladders in one
• Sturdy
• Easy to operate

Cons

• Heavy

It’s hard to believe, but this TACKLIFE telescoping ladder is five ladders in one: A-frame ladder, step ladder, 90 degree ladder, wall ladder or as a scaffold system. It can also be used on uneven ground, which means that wherever you camp, this ladder can handle it. While it may weigh about 40 pounds, this portable ladder is 8.7 inches thick and 24.8 inches wide when folded up for storage.

Dual-pin hinge and aircraft grade aluminum construction ensure maximum extension stability and quick adjustment. When you receive the ladder, it’s fully assembled. Simply push two big orange knobs on both sides to release the ladder, and then adjust the length to the height you want. The hinge will engage automatically when the ladder is in the correct position. 

Worried about the heaviness of it? Thankfully this ladder comes equipped with two large wheels so that you can move it about with ease. Plus, the foot pad is shaped like a horseshoe and has a larger surface than that of other ladders, providing you with strong support. The non-slip rubber material and its deep stripe texture increase the friction, which means it prevents slipping while you are working on the ladder.

 

Best Telescoping Ladder: Ohuhu 12.5 FT Aluminum Telescoping Ladder

Small, easy to operate, and lightweight? The Ohuhu Telescoping Ladder makes our best telescoping list because it can do it all, collapsing and storing with ease. Weighing only 25 pounds, this ladder comes with a handy carrying handle as well.

Crafted from premium aluminum alloy, this ladder is just as strong as it is portable— the rungs can support up to 330 pounds. It’s the perfect tool to help you maintain the roof of your RV, though make sure it’s tall enough for your rig, coming in at 12 and a half feet tall. This company may have a taller option, but this size ladder should work for a great number of rigs!

Whether you need a small boost or some serious height, the Ohuhu Telescopic Extension Ladder will get the job done. The high-quality extension mechanism allows you to adjust the height quickly and effortlessly, and locking pins hold it securely in place. Done for the day? Press the two thumb buttons and the ladder will retract! 

 

Best Folding Ladder: Comie 330lb 12.5ft Multi Purpose Aluminum Folding Step Ladder

If you’re less worried about your storage space and more worried about an all purpose ladder, check out this Comie folding ladder. Its folded size is roughly 40″ X 15″ X 11″, which may be too large for some of you. However, this ladder has a lot to offer, for both RV life and home use!

Weighing just about 25 pounds, this Comie ladder comes with 2 panels, which means you have the option to stand on the ladder with more stability and safety. With a sturdy aluminum construction and foldable design, it is convenient to use and easy to carry around. Black anti-slip rubber sleeves on the bottom of the ladder keep you in close contact with the ground.

The aluminium frame of this Comie ladder has anti rust and anti corrosive properties, which means you don’t have to worry about keeping this ladder protected 24/7. It’s perfect to bring with on your camping trips, and it’s competitively priced too!

 

Sturdiest Ladder: Little Giant Ladders, Velocity with Wheels, M17

Can you believe there’s a folding two person ladder? Well, Little Giant Ladders makes something called the Velocity and it even has wheels! This sturdy little guy comes in various heights, and weighs just about 25 pounds. Its storage height is just shy of 4 feet and its depth is about 8”.

This ladder is constructed using a special alloy that makes it 20 percent lighter than any comparable industrial-rated ladder. The Velocity also includes several innovative new features such as the dual-pin hinge and the easy-to-use Rock Locks for quick adjustment. The Velocity can be used in many unique configurations as an A-frame, extension, staircase and 90-degree ladder!

The Velocity’s wide-flared legs and aerospace-grade aluminum construction provide an unmatched feeling of safety and stability. The Little Giant Velocity is rated to hold 300 pounds on both sides and is a true two-person ladder. While it may be far more sturdy than the average ladder, some of you campers may be looking for that!

 

Best on a Budget: WolfWise 8.5FT Aluminum Telescoping Ladder

If you’re looking for a telescoping ladder that doesn’t stretch your budget, check out this WolfWise Aluminum Telescoping Ladder. It may not be tall enough for the tallest of rigs, but it packs a punch. It can support up to 330 pounds and can be fully extended to 8.5 feet in seconds, allowing a single person to easily carry the ladder outside to conduct RV roof work!

This dependable yet lightweight ladder is only 14.7 pounds, and collapses to a mere 18.5×30.5×1.9 inches. It can be effectively placed in limited spaces such as under the bed or in the trunk of a car, any tight storage space you may have in your RV! It takes only 5-8 seconds to retract the ladder from its full extension, making it convenient and safe.

What else can be said for this ladder? It has an integrated carrying handle with heavy-duty closure strap for convenient storage and transport. Reviewers mention the potential for rig damage should you lean this ladder against it. Keep this in mind while you work, but otherwise, this little ladder accomplishes mighty things!

 

Best Ladder for Tall Rigs: Little Giant Ladders, Velocity with Wheels, M26

Seeing double? You may remember Little Giant Ladders from our Sturdiest Ladder category, and here they are, making a folding ladder that’s 26 feet tall! You may be asking yourself if you need a ladder that tall, and you may not. However, for those of you with larger fifth wheels and motorhomes, a 26 foot tall ladder may be appealing to you!

As I’m sure you might’ve guessed, the features on this ladder match its smaller 17 foot brother. However, the dimensions on this ladder are a little different: 79 x 30 x 9 inches. It also weighs about 50 pounds. While it can fold, this ladder pushes the boundaries of what you might consider portable. However, it has the same useful wheels as the 17 footer, and it adjusts just as fast into various positions.

With various ladder options and immense height, this ladder may not be right for all of you. However, if you’re looking for a good crossover ladder, one that you plan to use at home and on the road, bigger may in fact be better!

 

Editor’s Pick: Xtend & Climb 770P Telescoping Ladder, 12.5 ft

While this ladder may break the bank, the Xtend & Climb Telescoping Ladder series is one I have to mention. These ladders all collapse and store with ease, but they are different grades, colors, and materials, which means your customization options are much more than with a standard telescoping ladder. Choose from Home use, Contractor use, and Pro use. For simplicity, I’ve chosen a home use edition of this ladder!

Made of Aerospace Engineered 6061 alloy with a Clean-Touch anodized finish, each heavy duty Xtend & Climb Home Edition ladder has rungs that are built tough to ensure sturdy footing. Xtend & Climb Home Edition Telescoping Ladders extend and lock by the foot, easily adjusting to whatever height is needed for your task. This comes in handy when you don’t want the hassle of lugging around a heavy extension ladder. Just open up your Xtend & Climb Home Edition rung by rung to your desired height, and up you go!

This particular model is made for home use and stretches 12.5 feet tall. It is only 32 inches tall when ready to store, and weighs only 27 pounds! Safety features on all models include an angled thumb release mechanism to ensure proper hand position and a no pinch closure system with yellow padded side sections, non slip end caps, integrated carry handle and heavy-duty closure strap. While it may be the priciest ladder on this list (besides the 26 footer), it’s a contender, and gives you plenty of options should this particular ladder not suit you.

 

Conclusion

Having a ladder in conjunction with your RV is a no brainer, whether you’re full timing or just taking the rig out for a weekend. You never know when it might come in handy, and your RV’s roof will thank you for having one. Make sure you measure the height of your rig properly, and have a friend around as a safety spotter. Happy climbing!