Want to add a ladder to a Minnie 2012FBS

[reddirt]

Hi,

I just bought a used 2015 Minnie 2012FBS.
I would like to add a roof ladder.
Do you have any recommendations for me?

Can anyone recommend where to buy an OEM ladder?

Thanks,
Reddirt

[GaryS]

As I understand it if a ladder wan't installed from the factory the roof was not meant to walk on and there is insufficient bracing in the rear wall to support a ladder. I would contact Winnebago to be sure.

[reddirt]

Thanks for the tip - I will contact Winnebago.

[RodneynDawnT]

Good re contacting Winnebago. Please update the thread with their answers.

In the meantime, that it doesn’t have a ladder doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t walk on it. Regardless, planks or pieces of plywood will distribute the weight. As to the ladder, the wall may or may not have studs where you’d prefer to attach it.

[Jaeger]

I have learned that our 2019 Minnie has 1" x 3-1/2" wood support specifically added between the wall skins for the ladder. I would not attempt to add a ladder without significant structure to attach it -- the skins alone will almost certainly not support the load.


I will also add that my electronic stud finder does detect the wood beneath the fiberglass skin. If the ladder was a factory option, it may be that your trailer has the support structure (cheaper for the factory to build them all the same) so you might want to try the stud finder, if you have one, to see what's under the fiberglass. The normal wood frame is one inch thick. The support for our ladder is 3-1/2" across so be careful not to confuse the two.

[old_engineer]

From the side wall drawings Winnebago sent me so I could install my slip topper I would suspect aluminum tubing in the walls if it is able to support a ladder. As mentioned these should be detectable with a stud finder. I would also think there would need to be reinforcement in the roof as well to hold the top of the ladder. Winnebago Towables customer service should be able to answer these questions.

[Badlands Bob]

I have a 2201DS and contacted Winnebago about installing a ladder. They send my RV tech the schematics for the back wall. They said they install ladder bracing in all of the 2201DS models, even if they don't install a factory ladder. Yours may be the same.
I would highly recommend going with a factory OEM ladder and not some piece together after market one. You'll pay a little more but it will already be the right width, length and angles.

[reddirt]

Where can I buy a factory OEM ladder?

[hollerboy]

While inquiring at my local Winnebago dealer about installing a ladder on our Micro, the parts department emailed the factory for a detailed schematic showing measurements & locations of already existing bracing. Installation was 1 hour labor, ladder about $125.

[Badlands Bob]

Originally Posted by reddirt

Where can I buy a factory OEM ladder?

Any Winnebago dealer should be able to order the OEM Winnebago ladder directly from Winnebago.

[Fasttimes]

I would love to add one to my 27RBDS, but the product page from 2015 listed my model as N/A option. I'm assuming it doesn't have the required bracing. Had to buy a 16' ladder when I got the trailer just to get on the roof, costly and scary when going up and over or off that thing.