RVs are a great way to get out and explore the great outdoors, all while retaining a few home comforts. But, like any home, they do require some TLC from time to time.
Whether you’re painting, checking on your solar panels, or fiddly with your antennas, ladders are an essential bit of kit for any RV owners. In fact, some people use them so often, they take a ladder with them out on the road, while other people do their maintenance at home, and leave their ladder behind.
Where you chose to do your DIY will affect the type of ladder you go for – with telescopic ones generally being more portable and A-frames being the preferred choice for DIY at home. Here, we’ve brought you a selection of the best of both worlds so that you can find the one that’s right for you!
Top Pick
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Best Allrounder
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Best Budget
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The Ohuhu Telescoping Ladder is a very popular telescoping ladder, and it’s easy to see why.
Its weight capacity of 330 lbs is the biggest on our list, yet it weighs in at a very reasonable 25.3 lbs thanks to its aluminum alloy construction.
The maximum height of this telescoping RV ladder is 12.5 ft, which is plenty for RV maintenance. And if that’s too much height for you, don’t worry, you can reduce the height one rung at a time to find the optimum height.
To retract the ladder, you can choose from one of two options – press the two thumb buttons at the same time to retract the entire ladder at once (great if you’re in a hurry) or press the red buttons under each rung if you’re making an adjustment – oh, and we love the audible click that tells you everything is firmly in place.
This telescoping ladder also complies with various European safety features, and the feet feature rubber caps to stop any unwanted slipping.
When fully retracted, this telescoping ladder is under 35 inches tall which, combined with the included closure strap and convenient rubber handle, makes carrying (not to mention storing) this ladder for RV a breeze. Our only complaint is that the rungs are flat when the ladder is vertical, so if you’re using your ladder at an angle, the rungs will no longer be flat.
Overall, you’re getting a solid ladder here that’s safe, heavy-duty, and super convenient – and all at a very reasonable price point.
Next up we have the ‘Little Giant’ Ladders Folding Ladder – but don’t let the name fool you, this RV folding ladder is a whopping 17 ft tall!
With a weight capacity of 300 lbs for each side, this folding ladder is an awesome option for two-person jobs when used in its A-frame configuration. Plus, the dual-hinge pins Rock Lock adjustment system means that you can use it in heaps of other configurations (and even on the stairs) when working solo.
This makes this an excellent all-round RV folding ladder that you’ll probably end up using as much around the house as you will on your RV!
Having said that, we’re big fans of the 90-degree configuration when doing RV work because it avoids propping the ladder not the side of your vehicle, and potentially scratching off the paintwork. Plus, while not strictly speaking a telescoping ladder, you can adjust the height on this ladder too to reach your RV roof.
We can’t get enough of the wide-flared legs that provide a very stable feel, and this ladder has optional wheels too in case you need them.
Despite its great height (there’s also a 13-ft model available if you prefer something smaller), this RV folding ladder is far lighter than we expected, weighing in at just 32 lbs. If space is an issue for you though, then be warned, this ladder is still 4.5-ft long when folded as small as possible.
Overall, this is one incredibly versatile folding ladder that you can use for pretty much anything – plus it’s stable and reasonably priced too, winning.
Here’s another entry by Little Giant Ladders, the Little Giant Ladders Stepladder – a travel-friendly, economical way to gain some extra height.
Despite its height of 6 ft, this ‘stepladder’ has an impressive weight capacity of 300 lbs (and complies with European safety features). The short height and aluminum construction mean that, although this ladder is sturdy, it weighs in at under 15 lbs, making moving it around super easy.
The extra-wide rungs are comfy on the feet and are excellent for anyone who hates feeling unsteady up in the air, and the final ‘rung’ is actually a platform, so you can settle in nicely while you’re painting or doing your other business. Another extra touch that we love is the tool tray integrated into the final rung of the ladder (not the one you stand on) so you can keep your essentials close at hand.
Although it’s easy to fold flat and unfold thanks to the handle, it’s not particularly compact even when flattened – you’ll need a spot at least 6 ft long to store it in. Plus, you can’t adjust the height on this ladder either, so you’re limited to heights of 6 ft and under – which could be problematic with some RVs.
However, if you want something you can wield around without breaking a sweat, featuring some fantastic extra touches, and that won’t break the bank, then this ladder could be the one for you.
The WolfWise Telescopic Ladder is another one of our favorite types of RV ladders thanks to its durable design and convenient features.
Firstly, with a maximum height of 12.5 ft, this ladder is suited to almost all RVs. Despite its towering height, however, this ladder weighs in at under 25 lbs, giving it a great weight-to-height ratio.
This lightweight is largely thanks to the aluminum alloy used for its construction, which is not only strong and light but also rust- and corrosion-resistant.
The Smart-Close system makes retracting this ladder a breeze – simply push the button and watch as the ladder fully retracts in as little as 5-8 seconds (no hand cramps, yay)… although extending it can be a little more tricky. Once in its folded form, this ladder forms a compact bundle with its longest size being under 3 ft, so you could even take it with you on your next RV trip if you want to.
This small bundle is easy to carry and store, plus the leader comes with a heavy-duty closure strap to keep things secure. One thing to watch out for is that the ladder tends to flex a lot when fully extend, but it won’t break on you (it might just feel slightly unstable).
Overall, though, this is certainly one of the most convenient RV ladders we’ve ever come across.
Love a telescoping ladder but hate faffing around trying to extend them? Then you should definitely check out the Telesteps 1800EP Telescoping Ladder.
With just one touch of a button, this ladder shoots up to heights of 14.5 ft without you doing a thing. It also offers a couple of extra feet compared to average ladders, making it a great option for people with taller RVs. Being a telescopic ladder, however, you have the option of setting your own height, whatever that may be.
The aircraft-grade aluminum alloy gives this RV ladder an extremely heavy-duty overall feel, while the silicone feet are designed to stop pesky slips.
Weighing in at just over 30 lbs, this isn’t the lightest model out there, but we reckon it’s worth it for the high-quality, durable construction. Plus, despite its height, it folds down into a bundle with the longest side being less than 3 ft – not bad eh (although we wish it came with a closure strap)?
While this ladder certainly doesn’t come cheap, for the money, you’re getting a very well-built and ultra-convenient ladder that’s suited to tasks requiring a range of heights.
We’re heading back to the realm of the folding ladder now to bring you the GP Logistics Compact Folding Ladder an awesome, and highly portable, RV ladder.
Weighing in at 25 lbs, this compact folding ladder may be heavier than a 7 ft telescopic ladder, but it’s certainly lightweight for a 7 ft A-frame. This design means you won’t have to prop your ladder against your RV and it gives an overall sturdy feel, which is further improved by the locking mechanism and anti-slip rubber feet.
This RV folding ladder folds down to form an incredibly thin bundle (just 3.5 inches), but you’ll need somewhere long to store it – perhaps on your RV roof would work? It comes with a closure strap too to keep it firmly in place when not in use.
The weight capacity might be slightly lower than some of the other models we’ve seen, but it’s still more than enough for most people and some tools.
Overall, if you’re after a simple A-frame ladder and would rather shed some ponds than have those extra feet, this is a great option.
Here we have another excellent RV ladder, the Luisladders Oshion Telescoping Ladder.
With a maximum height of 12.5-ft, this telescoping ladder is plenty tall enough for almost all RVs. Constructed from an aluminum alloy, this ladder is rust- and corrosion-resistant and can also handle loads as heavy as 330 lbs – pus, you don’t need to worry about sliding thanks to the rubber bottom caps on the feet.
Despite its height and strength, this ladder weighs less than 25 lbs. Whats’ more, it folds down to less than 3 ft in height, and it comes with a closure strap and grippy handle, making it a remarkably portable option. And if the height is too much and you’d rather shed some weight, you’ll be pleased to know it comes in an 8.5-ft model too.
You can adjust the height on a rung-by-rung basis, and we love the reassuring click that tells you that the ladder is firmly in place. Just be careful when you’re retracting the ladder – it comes down quickly and forcefully, so you’ll need to mind your fingers, and the buttons are a little fiddly too.
All in all, this ladder is portable, durable, and affordable, and one of our favorite telescoping RV ladders.
Last, but not least, is the Xtend & Climb 85P+ Telescoping Ladder.
With 12.5 ft of height and durable construction, this is yet another one of the great exterior RV ladders. We love the red/green indicators that let you know when you’re adjustments are safely locked in place, and that it extends and locks by the foot to avoid any potential pinches during closure. Plus, the thumb buttons are angled so you won’t get achy with prolonged use.
This telescoping ladder does have a slightly reduced weight capacity and is a tad expensive, but if you want a telescopic ladder with some nice extra features, then it’s worth checking out.
There you have it, the best types of RV ladders around, but what crucial things should you think about before buying one?
The age-old question… each design has its own pros and cons. If storage space is an issue for you, then telescopic may be the way to go as they tend to retract into far smaller bundles.
However, you do have to proper them against the side of your RV when you’re doing work, which some people don’t like. Folding A-frame ladders avoid this, and some have stable platforms at the top with room for tools. Plus, you can use them in pairs and in various configurations – but they do weigh more and you can’t adjust the height.
As we said, if space and weight are key – go for a telescopic ladder! But if you just love A-frames, you might be able to strap a small one on the top of your RV?
This will depend on your RV mainly, but if you want a ladder you can use in the house too, then think about what size would suit both tasks. Telescopic ladders for your RV are definitely more versatile when it comes to height, but they sometimes feel less sturdy when fully extended, so some people opt for A-frames for very tall jobs.
Still struggling to pick the best RV ladder even after checking the RV ladder reviews? Here are our top three to help you decide:
If you’re after an affordable way to gain a few extra feet, then look no further than the Little Giant Ladders Stepladder.
Not only is it very budget-friendly, but it’s incredibly portable too – and we love the extra-wide rungs that make it super stable.
Our top all-round RV ladder is the Little Giant Ladders Folding Ladder.
Not only is it tall enough for any RV, but it can be used in heaps of different configurations too, and you’ll probably find yourself using it around the house more than you thought!
But our top RV ladder just has to be the Ohuhu Telescoping Ladder.
It’s super stable, has safety features, and small when folded, features dual retraction methods, and the height can be adjusted. Plus, it’s reasonably priced too – what more could you ask for?!