Guess this is fare well!

[ckreef]

Unscrew the ladder. Put a small dab of silicone on the screw holes and screw the screws back in. So you have a bunch of black dots (screw heads) on the back of your trailer. Who cares?

I would be more worried about getting the trailer (without ladder) into the shed with only 6" of clearance.

[PTParker]

Cut the “stand offs” (or whatever they’re called) shorter so the ladder meets your length requirements. Just throwing out ideas. Like others have mentioned, you usually make mods anyway so it’s just like ya like it. Good luck with your decision.

Good Idea. I thought of that, but the trailer would barely go in the building without the ladder. So since this trailer has no bumper, the entire ladder is to much! I could cut some off and cut half of my wall supports out and probably get it in, but the ladder would be kind of dangerous to use. But, if I decide I have to have this trailer, I may have to bite the bullet and do it! I may have to install some metal supports to not compromise the integrity of my building.

[PTParker]

Unscrew the ladder. Put a small dab of silicone on the screw holes and screw the screws back in. So you have a bunch of black dots (screw heads) on the back of your trailer. Who cares?

I would be more worried about getting the trailer (without ladder) into the shed with only 6" of clearance.

Actually, I only have ONE inch of clearance! The trailer is 34' 8" my building is 34' 9' wall to door.

[PTParker]

I didn't think of that, but @tamrick ^^^^ above, has a great idea. You would probably not be able to tell the difference until you looked closer. Great idea!

Do the stand offs have a plug in the end that is removable that is threaded? Could you just cut them off and reinstall the end and screw them back on? I have never had one of them apart?

[xrated]

Yeah, I would have to think about that before I could get used to the idea of doing that! Don't really want to do that, but I guess I will have to weigh my options and see which I hate the worst, the holes or owning an inferior camper.

I think, and this is obviously personal opinion, but owning an inferior camper, especially when the nicer one was within reach, would drive me absolutely crazy. I certainly wouldn't want the holes or to know that there were holes there at one time that had been "repaired". The ladder off/screws back in might be an acceptable "middle ground" for me, but buying an inferior quality camper would NOT. We all have to decide what works best for us, so good luck in your decision and hopefully you can do the important thing........go camping and enjoy the trailer.

[jasonl78]

I'm not try to offend anyone's ability but who actually measured the camper? You said it was over 35 feet. Will removing the ladder get you what you need? How about the tail lights and the receiver hitch? Are they going to put you over the 34'8" mark you desire?

I've got to agree with others here, if you've put two years into a search to find your dream unit, and you let a ladder stop you, you'll cause yourself more personal anguish settling for something less.

Maybe I'm the odd duck here but I can't imagine not having a ladder. I use it every trip. I climb on the roof to sweep it off before pulling in the slides and to remove branches and debris. Carrying a separate ladder taking up vital room isn't that viable of an option to me either. If the ladder has to go, cut the ladder at the bases and cap them. I'm sure someone could come up with an ingenious idea for those capped bases (ie towel racks or clothes hangers) when you're camping.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[SolarPoweredRV]

How hard would it be to modify the building for 6" If it is metal - it probably a few hundred bucks

That was going to be my suggestion, it should not be too difficult to add a bit of a "Bump-out" to the area where the ladder would fit.

Heck, you might be able to just remove a single metal panel in the area where the ladder would fit into, you wouldn't even have to replace the metal with more metal, you could easily build a wooden box around the ladder that could be made water proof and save the metal for whenever you don't have the camper any more.

[Gran Casita]

One other thought I scavenged from my sailing days & resources, but maybe if you swapped-out the ladder's round rail base with these https://www.suncorstainless.com/roun...base-90-degree or something similar. These bases look like a direct replacement and are much stouter than the OEM. On the downside, the stainless base would stand out, but you could try painting them first. Each base comes with two set screws that you could loosen when you need to remove the ladder for storage?

My only concern with this custom setup would be the set screws. I would have to ensure they did not loosen and thereby create a hazardous condition. I suppose you could also retrofit the base to accept a cotter pin of adequate size to secure the stand-offs to the base.

Just a closing thought that popped-up before I turned in for the night! -Diego

[PTParker]

I think, and this is obviously personal opinion, but owning an inferior camper, especially when the nicer one was within reach, would drive me absolutely crazy. I certainly wouldn't want the holes or to know that there were holes there at one time that had been "repaired". The ladder off/screws back in might be an acceptable "middle ground" for me, but buying an inferior quality camper would NOT. We all have to decide what works best for us, so good luck in your decision and hopefully you can do the important thing........go camping and enjoy the trailer.

You sound a lot like me! That is what is driving me crazy! Sometimes I wish I were not so Particular, even though some people say that is what they like about me, I am a stickler for detail.

[Txfivver]

Actually, I only have ONE inch of clearance! The trailer is 34' 8" my building is 34' 9' wall to door.

Wow that would be nerve racking to me to back that trailer in that close! I'm always backing in by myself and I have a good 6 ft of clearance in my storeroom but it still has a pucker factor for me even with a backup camera.