My Ladder Broke!

[Georgia_Biker]

We are on our two month trip across New England and are learning a lot about extended camping and our Big Horn - 3610RE.

Yesterday as we were getting ready to leave our campsite I was going to climb on top and sweep the acorns and leaves off. As I stepped on the lower rung it broke off on the left side. I did not attempt to climb up until I did more research.

I am a big man - weigh 235lbs but surly this ladder is rated higher.

Does anyone know the capacity of the ladder on the Big Horn?

Is there any after market ladders out there that are better?

Thanks

Larry

 

[BigJim45]

Check out this thread. Number 4 and 13.

//heartlandowners.org/showthread.ph...-broke-on-2013-2950RK?highlight=Broke+ladders

 

[jbeletti]

I'm not familiar with stronger ladders, but consider giving Atwood Mobile and call to discuss your situation - 800-546-8759

 

[danemayer]

Looking at your pictures, you've experienced a very unusual ladder failure. Most ladder complaints have to do with either the plastic end caps cracking, or the ladder flexing from the top, causing the standoff screws to loosen. This failure looks like there must have been a manufacturing defect in the tubing.

 

[pegmikef]

I don't trust mine at all so I carry a collapsible step/extension combination ladder and use it instead. I just lean it against the top of the existing ladder. Kind of a PITA, but I know it is safe. I used one on my North Trail because it had no ladder. Can be bought in Walmart, Lowes, and most other big box stores.

 

[MTPockets]

My experience with Atwood was regarding the plastic end caps, (which they replaced N/C), and the horrible flexing. According to Atwood, the number of complaints have only been about 100, which isn't enough to make a change (I have this is writing from Atwood). Seems to me, if they have 100 complaints, then that is ample evidence since there are many who don't complain. Instead they simply don't use the ladder or reinforce it like I and others have done. I've been pretty vocal about this ladder issue with a bit of support, but I've yet to hear if Heartland has made any steps to either get a new supplier with a stronger ladder or do a better job of supporting the ladder.

 

[Jim.Allison]

This is one thing that is absolutely pathetic on a Heartland Rig. This thing meets no specification at all and therefore serves no purpose other than decoration. The liability potential has to be enormous on this product. But it seems that there is an inner and outer tube on the ladder, and the break looks like a fatigue break, is it possible that the ladder was damaged sometime in the past and straightened? What I fear about mine is that it will break away from the mounts. I wont get on it.

We are on our two month trip across New England and are learning a lot about extended camping and our Big Horn - 3610RE.

Yesterday as we were getting ready to leave our campsite I was going to climb on top and sweep the acorns and leaves off. As I stepped on the lower rung it broke off on the left side. I did not attempt to climb up until I did more research.

I am a big man - weigh 235lbs but surly this ladder is rated higher.

Does anyone know the capacity of the ladder on the Big Horn?

Is there any after market ladders out there that are better?

Thanks

Larry

 

[RoadJunkie]

This is one thing that is absolutely pathetic on a Heartland Rig.

I have been up and down the ladder many times and, sure, I have replaced a couple of the plastic steps; no big deal, to me, I simply called Atwood and bought some replacements. I'm not sure I would agree with the ladder being "pathetic" but certainly an opportunity for industry-wide improvement. The Atwood ladders are on thousands of RVs which indicates the RV manufacture industry does not demand improvement. This particular break has occurred in a manner that I have not seen before. The load rating on their "Universal Straight" ladder is 300lbs, according to their web site.

 

[SeattleLion]

The flexing scares me so we haven't used the ladder. I weigh 250 so I figured it wouldn't handle me. Seriously, is it really rated at 300 lbs?

 

[sengli]

Wow, that is scary to see. I too am 240lbs, and I wouldnt get on our ladder on a bet. Just putting my foot on the lowest rung, cause it to flex like a wet noodle.
Sadly, I dont trust, or use it.

 

[travelin2]

I'd say that step was compromised before you even stepped up on it. I removed that U-shaped bottom step as soon as I brought our BH home due to the bank I have to back up to during storage. Turns out it just slipped over the straight rails to the ladder.


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[Georgia_Biker]

As far as I know nothing has never touched that later but, my big feet - I was really shocked - I have been up and down the ladder many times - my rig is about 1 months old

 

[donr827]

Why do they continue to use the ladder? Cost.................Don

 

[Jim.Allison]

Well, I call it pathetic, because it certainly is not substantial. It is engineered to a very minimum and has no service factor built into it. If it does then its mounted improperly. in any case it is useless and nothing more than decoration. The reason you don't hear about people getting hurt on them is because most people have sense enough to stay off them. Since the average age of a heartland owner is 55 to 65, I can see a lot of potential for broken hip with this thing. I dont want to trashmouth a Heartland supplier, but this is worse than the BlowMax tire.

I have been up and down the ladder many times and, sure, I have replaced a couple of the plastic steps; no big deal, to me, I simply called Atwood and bought some replacements. I'm not sure I would agree with the ladder being "pathetic" but certainly an opportunity for industry-wide improvement. The Atwood ladders are on thousands of RVs which indicates the RV manufacture industry does not demand improvement. This particular break has occurred in a manner that I have not seen before. The load rating on their "Universal Straight" ladder is 300lbs, according to their web site.

 

[JohnDar]

I'm almost 66 and have been using my ladder since 2009. But then, I'm almost 100 lbs. lighter than most who complain about them.


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[GOTTOYS]

I have my HOC plaque mounted on mine....Do you think it's strong enough to hold it ??? I won't climb on that thing, what a waste of money...Don

 

[happykraut]

in any case it is useless and nothing more than decoration.

Jim.Allison I love my "useless decoration" and use it all the time as I did on my previous four fivers. While I agree that the ladders in the RV industry need to be improved to call them useless decoration is ludicrous.

 

[codycarver]

The reason you don't hear about people getting hurt on them is because most people have sense enough to stay off them. Since the average age of a heartland owner is 55 to 65, I can see a lot of potential for broken hip with this thing. I dont want to trashmouth a Heartland supplier, but this is worse than the BlowMax tire.

I guess I don't have any sense. I've been going up and down our ladder since we bought or Bighorn without incident weighing in at 225 more or less over the last 4 years. I'd be interested in knowing your source for the average age of a Heartland owner.

 

[MTPockets]

There have been enough of these ladder threads to show there is a ladder or ladder installation problem. It's good that some report no issues, but it's still very discouraging that with all the reported problems Heartland has kept a blind eye on the issue. When I first contacted Heartland about the flimsy ladder, customer service said there was nothing they could do or offer. I had to come up with my own fix as others have done; including a forum moderator. Again; why is Heartland mum on this serious problem that so many have expressed for do long?

 

[codycarver]

Why is it always assumed that when someone has a problem everybody has a problem??

"all the reported problems" how may problems??? Compared to how many thousands sold without problem.

Sure, when something happens to me it's a BIG DEAL but that doesn't necessarily mean it's an industry wide problem.

I just wish when these things are talked about some perspective was used.