Shallow Draft Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Ok a width question. What are the opinions on leaving the ladder on the side of a 5th wheel. I have a jayco toy hauler and the ladder on the side makes it pretty wide. Not sure if it is over width but I suspect it is. Anyone ever had a problem? Either legal or snagging on something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adept99 Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Had a nice gentleman in Michigan lead us and our 35' Puma toyhauler through a large campground at 11:30 PM. Blissfully unaware, we slept the sleep of the innocents. Next morning we had to backtrack & pick up parts & pieces of ladder. Never saw, felt, or heard anything. Current trailer ladder only protrudes 2". just sayin' Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dollytrolley Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Shallow, RV Dealers deal with the side protrusions in handles, lights, ladders and awnings, all the time so they may be a good source of info...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamianF Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 In Colorado, from memory so I might be mistaken, but I believe max width is 8'6" for a trailer, and for an RV with appurtenances it cannot exceed 9'6". I don't know if there is any national uniformity in this area or not. I'm right at the limit with an external wheelchair lift folded up along the right side of my 5th, and there are times I remove the platform to tuck everything back under where the awnings roll up to. I've been through some construction zones where I'm glad I did narrow up a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shallow Draft Posted May 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Shallow, RV Dealers deal with the side protrusions in handles, lights, ladders and awnings, all the time so they may be a good source of info...... I hadn't thought about the dealers, Mostly because I tend not to trust the individuals who might not really know. Most of my friends leave theirs on. I am sure my max is 8.6 legally but I am sure my mirrors are wider than that. but that is safety equipment so I know that is not included. Mostly I am wondering if it has been an issue for the snags like Paul described. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Max width limits do not include safety equipment. Mirrors, steps, lug nut covers are in safety equipment. Somehow awnings are also safety equipment. I question if a ladder would fit under safety equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 Had a nice gentleman in Michigan lead us and our 35' Puma toyhauler through a large campground at 11:30 PM. Blissfully unaware, we slept the sleep of the innocents. Next morning we had to backtrack & pick up parts & pieces of ladder. Never saw, felt, or heard anything. Current trailer ladder only protrudes 2". just sayin' Paul Paul, I'm really not trusting anybody to lead me anywhere anymore. My DW has our concerns in mind, and if I'm smart, I will listen only to her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big5er Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 Somehow awnings are also safety equipment. I once "heard" of two motorhomes being cited for overwidth (in California) due to their awnings. If you want to be downright technical, an awning isnt safety equipment. But I have seen a lot of toy haulers equipped with side ladders. It would be real hard to hit another car or object with an awning but I wouldn't want to hit anything with that ladder, cuz guess who is gonna whip out that tape measure when they work that accident? Anything over 4" passed the edge of the vehicle needs a flag and like it has been said, most states are 102" width. I know anyone hauling a smart is a few inches over but that ladder is way back at the rear and a lot easier to snag on something as you go by. I think I would go measure the trailer body...and the ladder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deezl Smoke Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 I once "heard" of two motorhomes being cited for overwidth (in California) due to their awnings. If you want to be downright technical, an awning isnt safety equipment. But I have seen a lot of toy haulers equipped with side ladders. It would be real hard to hit another car or object with an awning but I wouldn't want to hit anything with that ladder, cuz guess who is gonna whip out that tape measure when they work that accident? Anything over 4" passed the edge of the vehicle needs a flag and like it has been said, most states are 102" width. I know anyone hauling a smart is a few inches over but that ladder is way back at the rear and a lot easier to snag on something as you go by. I think I would go measure the trailer body...and the ladder. Yep, that's what I hear too. Only thing over 102" allowed are the mirrors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shallow Draft Posted May 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 Great thread!! I think I have enough info to continue in the manner I have been. No Ladder on the side for me. Mine does stick out farther than I am comfortable with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lappir Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 My 2007 Weekend Warrior had a ladder on the side. I took it off for the first few trips but then it was just always in the way. I put it back on and never had a problem from Utah to Iowa to Florida on various routes. On later models they put a hinge on the bottom supports and would lift the ladder up about 3 inches and it would fold in close to the wall. Always thought I would attempt that mod but didn't get it done before going the SpaceCraft route. No side ladder for me now. There is nothing on the roof except vent caps. Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuke-E Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 In most cases, you have 6" to work with in dealing with maximum width for "appurtenances," which I guess is the technical term for "crap that the manufacturer couldn't be bothered to make flush with the side of the RV." Here's a reference from RVIA that lists the applicable statutes by state: http://www.rvia.org/UniPop.cfm?v=2&OID=3378&CC=8544 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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