Lippert On-the-go Ladder

Treka76

Member
I purchased a 2023 Heartland Mallard M260 just about 2 years ago. Shortly after our purchase we had the camper winterized and stored at a indoor facility. When we got the camper out of storage, we paid for the storage facility to do a "pre summer inspection" of all of our seals and they de-winterized it for us.

This year I decided to use the Lippert on-the-go ladder for the very first time. After carefully extending the ladder fully, and placing the hooks into the the factory installed ladder receiver, my wonderful daughter decided that she would be the one to climb up onto the roof. After all, she thought it would be better that I hold the ladder steady instead of her. So she climbed the ladder and as she reached near the top of the camper the receiver holding the ladder came out of the camper. As the ladder jolted forward my daughter was tossed from the ladder and by the grace of God I was able to catch her.

Upon further inspection I saw that there was nothing holding the screws in other then the fiberglass wall. Since this took place I have been getting the run around from Hartland and the company I purchased the camper from. Please advise.
 

wdk450

Well-known member
Sadly, since no one was physically harmed, you will spend a lot of money on legal fees, and get no satisfaction. You have done a great service in reporting this to us on the internet, and warning current and prospective owners to check these ladders for safety. I personally chose NOT to use the vehicle mounted ladder EVER, but buy a folding multi-type aluminum ladder that extends to just above my roof height, that collapses to about 4 foot length and stores in the front storage compartment. In setting up my ladder, both outside and inside my trailer, I make sure the setup is secure and stable each time.

I found this low cost one from Costco on a websearch: https://www.ersapire.com/products/22-foot-velocity-multi-use-ladder-300-pound-duty-rating-15422-001
 

JohnDar

Prolifically Gabby Member
To be honest, while we had the 3670, using the mounted ladder to get on the roof was never a problem at 165 lbs. I had an Extend & Climb to get at the front cap and slides for cleaning, but always used the rear ladder to get on the roof. Did replace a couple of cracking rung supports, but the attachment to the rig was always solid.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

sengli

Well-known member
We have owned several new fifth wheels, and there is no way in heck I would ever trust the OEM ladders to actually not fail on my 220lbs. They are made of thin walled aluminum tubing, and flex terribly. The real issue is they are mounted to the rig with plastic fittings and really long cheap #10 bolts screwed into plywood backers if your lucky. I believe back in the day I was told these ladder assemblies were rated at 300 pounds, limit. Absolutely no way I would attempt to actually use them.
 

Dahillbilly

Well-known member
I purchased a 2023 Heartland Mallard M260 just about 2 years ago. Shortly after our purchase we had the camper winterized and stored at a indoor facility. When we got the camper out of storage, we paid for the storage facility to do a "pre summer inspection" of all of our seals and they de-winterized it for us.

This year I decided to use the Lippert on-the-go ladder for the very first time. After carefully extending the ladder fully, and placing the hooks into the the factory installed ladder receiver, my wonderful daughter decided that she would be the one to climb up onto the roof. After all, she thought it would be better that I hold the ladder steady instead of her. So she climbed the ladder and as she reached near the top of the camper the receiver holding the ladder came out of the camper. As the ladder jolted forward my daughter was tossed from the ladder and by the grace of God I was able to catch her.

Upon further inspection I saw that there was nothing holding the screws in other then the fiberglass wall. Since this took place I have been getting the run around from Hartland and the company I purchased the camper from. Please advise.
that's the reason I did a self-install; I know the receiver will not pull off the camper. Two screws into the metal studs & two bolts with fender washers on the inside , no way its pulling off.
 
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