Where do you store a step ladder in your RV?

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Updated – January 21, 2023

Tall people can just about reach the farthest corner of the upper storage compartments, while shorter people need a step ladder. Yes, space is at a premium in motorhomes, so where to put it?

With the Niessmann Flair, the underside of the table is ideal for this if you don't value the extendable table top.

In this case, you remove it including the mechanics. All that remains are the supporting side parts running on the right and left along the long side.

Two 49.5 mm long 30 x 30 x 2 mm aluminum angle profiles are then sawn to size. Laid next to each other in a U-shape, 30 cm are measured from the back side on the two upstanding U-legs and within this area three 6 mm holes at 5 cm, 15 cm and 25 cm in the middle of the inner width, i.e. 14 mm from the edge , appropriate. From the inside, the holes are reduced using a countersink to a diameter of approximately 1 mm larger so that the 5 x 12 mm Torx screws are flush.

Before the aluminum profiles are screwed to the inside of the side parts, the rear height of the folded ladder is determined, 5 mm is added and the sum is divided by two. This dimension is the dimension for the rear hole of the Torx screws on the left and right.

Pre-drilling the marked fastening points with 3 mm is essential to avoid cracking the wood. The two profiles are fixed with the rear screw first. Then the ladder is pushed in as a test and the front ends of the profiles are adjusted so that about 3 mm of space remains between the highest point of the ladder at the front and the table top. After removing the ladder, mark the remaining four holes. Move the profiles down again at the front to be able to drill the holes. Then put the profiles back into position and finally screw them tight. Make sure that both profiles are parallel in height.

The inside of the assembled aluminum profiles are covered with 2 mm self-adhesive felt so that the ladder can be inserted easily and protected against scratches. To ensure that the ladder remains in place even when cornering, a rectangle measuring approximately 4 x 8 cm made of the felt mentioned above is glued to the underside of the table top on the right and left, flush with the ends of the aluminum profiles. These should be thick enough so that the ladder can be easily pinched, thereby preventing it from unintentionally becoming detached while driving.

The matching step ladder can be found in the model, for example Hailo MK80 ComfortLine. It is very compact, measuring 59.9 x 46 x 6.6 cm and weighing 3.9 kg.

Push this ladder into the guides with the treads facing upwards and the handle facing forward - and the step ladder is neatly stowed away!