7 Best Exterior Ladders for RVs 2024

(Last Updated: August 17, 2020)

A recreational vehicle or otherwise a house on the rolling wheel most certainly offers a great and economical way of traveling the world. But just like our normal houses, RVs require occasional upgrades and maintenance to improve their overall functionality and luxury. One such key upgrade for your recreational vehicle is the exterior ladders. In the past, RVs used to come with exterior ladders attached to its body. However, these ladders would fail sometimes and cause injuries. To reduce such incidences, RV owners purchase separate ladders that can be fitted to the RV body or attached to the original ladder. 

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	Price	Name	Our Rating
		Stromberg Carlson’s LA-401 Universal Exterior RV Ladder	9.5
		Stromberg Carlson LA148 Universal Outdoor Ladder for RV	9.3
		Stromberg Carlson LA-401B Universal Exterior RV Ladder	9.7
		Stromberg Carlson LA-401BA Universal Outdoor RV Ladder – Black	9.9
		Surco 502L Universal Motorhome Straight Ladder	9.5
		Thetford Universal RV Ladder Rack for SmartTote2	9.2
		Surco 501L Universal Motorhome Ladder	9.5

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Exterior ladders do play various functions in an RV, for instance going to the rooftops,  accessing unreachable parts inside an RV, or even as a storage rack. Today, we are going to look at what key factors to look at when purchasing an exterior ladder. We will also link you up with some of the best exterior ladders for RVs.

 

Buying guide 

Before settling on a specific outdoor RV ladder, you need to do some research on which is the most suitable brand. Normally, we find it challenging in deciding what is best when we know nothing about the product. There are tens of brands of RV ladders in the market and pinpointing one that will suit your needs may require some guidance. This buyers guide comes in handy to help you get started in finding the best outdoor RV ladder. Here are the key things look for when buying an RV ladder:

Material used

The materials used in making an exterior ladder influence its functionality and durability. Most RV ladders are made of aluminum or steel. Aluminum ladders are light, durable, and rust-resistant while steel ladders are sturdy and strong. Steel ladders are best suited for heavy-duty while aluminum is good for light duty. 

Pricing

Based on the type of material and the features, the price of the ladder will obviously vary. The more features the more expensive the ladder. Not all ladders that are expensive are quality though, there are some which are superior quality yet cheap. However, remember durable ladders will lessen your expenditure of repainting or buying another ladder due to wear.

Features

Each exterior ladder brand has its unique features and that’s what sets them apart. There are those with advanced features such as telescopic and folding ladders while others have the basic features. Some of the popular features to check for when finding the right ladder include:

• Anti-slip
• Weight capacity
• Rust and corrosion resistance

 

 

Best Exterior Ladders for RVs 2024

 

1. Stromberg Carlson’s LA-401 Universal Exterior RV Ladder

Stromberg Carlson’s universal exterior RV ladder is a reliable and long-lasting ladder that has been designed to fit the rear of any RV.  When accessing the rooftop of an RV, this ladder will provide you a secure way to access such hard to reach areas. The ladder is made from aluminum material which guarantees resistance to rust and at the same time durability. Most external ladders will rust after exposure to harsh weather conditions but Stromberg Carlson will remain pristine. Additionally, the metal frames of this ladder do not bend easily when exposed to the sun. 

Of all exterior ladders, this ladder enjoys high rankings, especially on Amazon. Users have praised its sturdiness and durability. The model can be cut by a pipe cutter hence it making it simple to install and adjust the size to a preferred length. Finally, Stromberg Carlson’s universal exterior ladder is lightweight. 

Dimensions: 52 x 16.9 x 8.4 inches

Pros

• Rust resistant
• Very sturdy, stable and durable
• Metal frames do not bend 
• Can fit any RV rear
• Easy to cut so as to adjust its height

Cons

• Will require more than one person to install 

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2. Stromberg Carlson LA148 Universal Outdoor Ladder for RV

This 48-inch starter RV ladder is designed to be hanged onto the main exterior ladder. It is tightly secured on the exterior ladder by the use of rubber straps. The ladder can be adjusted to an angle of 12 degrees and will support weights up to 250 lbs without bending or flexing. This motorhome exterior ladder is not only ergonomic but also looks stylish. It is constructed from lightweight aluminum material and thus it’s very easy to carry. 

You do not need to modify anything when fixing this ladder as it has been universally made to fit on any exterior ladder. Just make sure the straps are tightly fitted onto the main ladder and tilted to the desired angle. In terms of durability, the ladder is extremely durable and rust-resistant. Once fitted, this ladder can be easily dismantled single-handedly. Guess you see why this made it to our list of the best RV ladders. 

Dimensions: 49 x 6 x 3.5 inches

Pros

• Adjustable to an angle of up to 12 degrees
• Made from very light aluminum material
• Strong and secure rubber straps 
• Universal sizing
• Takes only one person to set up and dismantle

Cons

• Does not fold hence has to be removed when traveling

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3. Stromberg Carlson LA-401B Universal Exterior RV Ladder

Stromberg Carlson LA-401B universal outdoor ladder for RV  is a 10-inch long ladder that is designed to be fitted to the exterior of your RV. The ladder is an awesome piece of utility that will give you a lot of versatility. It can be fitted to any RV model or motor house. The rugged construction ensures you remain safe when doing maintenance of your RV rooftops and also you can hang chairs when moving from one campsite to another. 

This product does come with 4 standoffs and mounting hardware. The ladder can support a lot of weight and can be hung on your RV in a straight or inclined angle. The steps of the ladder are wide and thus you have a sufficient surface area to step on when working.  Finally, Stromberg Carlson LA-401B universal outdoor ladder can be cut to fit by a pipe cutter or a hacksaw. This ladder has been made up of painted aluminum material. 

Dimensions: 49 x 6 x 3.5 inches

Pros

• Can fit any type and size of RV
• Can be easily cut to a different size
• Made from high-quality Aluminium
• Easy to configure
• Rugged construction

Cons

• May require you to cut it when fitting the ladder

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4. Stromberg Carlson LA-401BA Universal Outdoor RV Ladder – Black

Stromberg Carlson’s outdoor RV ladder is a universal type of an exterior RV ladder. It can be fitted to any RV model straight or contoured. The ladder has been made from anodized aluminum and will feel sturdy under your feet when you step on it. The ladder has been ergonomically made by Stromberg Carlson. The safety of the users has been taken into consideration, thanks to the rugged design. The ladder has wide and rough steps that help increase friction as you step on them and thus reduce slip.

One unique thing that sets Stromberg Carlson La-401ba Universal Outdoor Rv Ladder – Black ahead of the rest is that it has a special design whereby the lower steps are closely positioned as compared to the top steps. The reason for this is to make climbing easy. This ladder is very strong and can support massive weights without breaking. The top and lower tips of the ladder’s legs have hinges that firmly secure on the body of RV. The ladder frames are made of one-inch diameter ladder tunings.

Dimensions: 54 x 15 x 4 inches

Pros

• Ergonomically designed to make climbing easy
• Rust-resistant
• Anti-slip surface to prevent slipping and falls
• Easy to install and bring down

Cons

• The black paint is too thick and peels off with time

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5. Surco 502L Universal Motorhome Straight Ladder

Made from a one inch-heavy gauge aluminum, this ladder is a reliable piece of addition to your RV extensions. It has impeccable durability and hence can last for a long time. You do not need to worry about harsh weather conditions as the ladder is rust-resistant.  It is also lightweight. This prevents unnecessary loadings from your RV. The shock absorbers won’t even feel its presence. Similarly, the ladder has a perfect height that will fit into most RVs without sticking out.  

In terms of safety, the Surco 502L Universal Motor home Straight Ladder has included all necessary safety features. The steps have been made wide with anti-slip capabilities. Additionally, there four stands offer support and extra stability. The ladder is universal meaning, it can be fitted to any RV model. Finally, the ladder has unique hinges that firmly sticks onto your RV and can be adjusted to contour or straight.  

Dimensions: 38.5 x 14.5 x 6.2 inches

Pros

• Highly durable
• Fits into many RVs
• Special hinges to keep the ladder secure
• Non-slip surface on steps
• Wide steps 

Cons

• Has a tiny bracket system

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6. Thetford Universal RV Ladder Rack for SmartTote2

When traveling on your RV you will always want to have a clean and extra space. The RV ladder mount system is an important addition to your RV that helps save valuable space. You don’t need to have portable waste together with food inside your RV, take the waste tote out and store it on the RV ladder rack. This ladder rack is made of lightweight aluminum rack that can be mounted to any exterior ladder of an RV. Apart from being used to store and transport waste, it can also be used as a bike rack or chair rack.  

The ladder is fit into place by aid of metal brackets and screws. A tote, bike or chair is secured into the ladder by the help of an 85-inch nylon strap. Rubber sleeves have been provided at the end of the rack to prevent items from slipping off.  

Dimensions: 23.5 x 16.5 x 3.5 inches

Pros

• Multifunctional
• Fitted securely by metal brackets and screws
• Rust and corrosion-resistant
• Can fit most RVs
• Dual-arm design

Cons

• May require extra ratchet straps to secure tote tank properly

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7. Surco 501L Universal Motorhome Ladder

This brightly polished ladder is an adaptable exterior ladder manufactured to fit in most RV models. It is made of a heavy aluminum material that has been brightly painted to give it a perky shiny look. Surco 501l Universal Motor home Straight Ladder has a closely similar design as the Surco 501L. This ladder is durable, rust-resistant, and very strong. It is very easy to install. The ladder weighs 300 pounds and can support large weights without flexing. The unique hinges on the legs of the ladder help adjust the ladder to the contour of the coach.

There are also four standoffs provided and can be deployed anytime for extra support and stability. The wide steps and non-slip surface help enhance the safety of a climber.  

Dimensions: 53.5 x 15 x 7.1 inches

Pros

• Non-slip steps
• Shiny-colored finish
• Rust resistant
• Wide steps for stability
• Adjustable hinges

Cons

• The brackets are relatively smaller

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Conclusion

As stated earlier, ladders are an important addition to your recreational vehicle and therefore you should always be keen when selecting the right brands. Keep in mind that if you don’t find the right quality ladder, it will likely fail and even injure you. In this post, we have highlighted the seven best RV roof ladders for you to choose from. Be sure to choose either of these ladders as we have closely analyzed them and find to be the best exterior ladders that you can buy.