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Old 10-16-2018, 05:22 PM   #1
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Penthouse ladder

Getting a penthouse installed and wondering whether to order the ladder or has anyone else found an innovative way to get up there?

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Old 10-16-2018, 07:14 PM   #2
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Getting into penthouse bed

We made a cabinet drawer strong enough to use a step.
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3b1.jpg   3b2.jpg   3b3.jpg   3b4.jpg   3b5.jpg  

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Old 10-17-2018, 06:29 PM   #3
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Well that is just brilliant. Thanks for sharing the photos.
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Old 10-17-2018, 07:19 PM   #4
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LenS - Simple and effect solution, well done!

Met a guy in Acadia last year - He had a Home build, but similar to an EB50 layout. While touring each others Van, I noticed he had mounted 2 grab handles on rope (first one hung down from the ceiling about a foot, and the second was a foot lower than the first - this was attached to the penthouse top right above the edge of bed platform). He also had one of those free swinging boat ladders mounted to the Penthouse bed platform, which hung about a foot off the floor when deployed.
They used the handles to to help pull themselves up, as well as for balancing themselves while they put their feet on the steps of the ladder.
He tucked both onto the mattress when he lowered the top so they wouldn't be in the way.
Thought it was a pretty cool idea.
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Old 10-18-2018, 06:47 AM   #5
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I have a home brew 50-ish layout, and I step on the edge/corner of the countertop to get up and down.
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Old 10-18-2018, 10:46 AM   #6
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This may be the way we go. Sounds like a workout.
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Old 10-18-2018, 10:48 AM   #7
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I noticed you have a fan in your penthouse. We were told they would not install one in a penthouse. What are your thoughts?
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Old 10-18-2018, 08:46 PM   #8
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The countertop in my van is cracked from being stepped on. I'm not clever at fabbing stuff, so I plan to use one of these, and stow it in the space between the driver's seat and a cabinet: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Louisvil...3002/300388379
One benefit is I can use it outside the van too. The downside, other than one more thing to store, is that the person sleeping downstairs will need to fold the ladder if they want to go forward.
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Old 10-19-2018, 07:16 AM   #9
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Installed fan ourselves. SMB installs several different fiberglass top designs (different suppliers a guess). Some have more and some have less longitudinal running plywood strips molded into the top. Ares has five. Cut the center strip in two to install fan. Had to sister the cut strip to the two adjacent strips to get strength back. Also the frame I installed for our solar panels also stiffened the roof. So it can be done and others have also done it. You must engineer the installation though.
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Old 10-19-2018, 10:14 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boywonder View Post
I have a home brew 50-ish layout, and I step on the edge/corner of the countertop to get up and down.
That's it. Me, too. Having one of those small folding plastic steps tools helps too, if you are height impaired.
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