As an RVer owner, having a collapsible ladder is pretty much a necessity. First, most homeowners have a step ladder, and when you’re on the road, your RV is your home. And for anyone serious about being a DIY’er, you really couldn’t be without one. Our ladder assisted us frequently with all of the regular maintenance of our motorhome when we were on the road full-time. And now, even as part-timers, we still need a ladder for upgrades and “home improvement” type chores, and for many repair tasks as well.
But the term “collapsible ladder” can have different meanings. Our old RV was a 43’ diesel pusher with very large basement storage areas. Lots of RVers who have Class A RVs have plenty of room to store a long (7′) ladder like we carried. But as compact as our ladder is, not every RV has room for something that’s seven feet long. Fortunately, there are other options available.
In this post, we’re taking a look at three of the most popular types of collapsible ladders for RVs. We’ll cover something for everyone, including one with a 330-pound load capacity that even owners of a Class B RV or van camper can carry!
Without further ado, let’s take a look at three high-quality collapsible ladders for RVers.
What Is a Collapsible Ladder?
A collapsible ladder is a ladder that can fold or retract in some manner (usually manually or with a button release feature), so that it’s smaller and more easily stored than it would be at full size. Some collapsible ladders are the telescoping/extension type, while others (like ours) are folding step ladders that collapse compactly, making them capable of being more easily stored.
Some collapsible ladders can extend to varying heights. When fully extended, most collapsible ladders (unless they’re intended to be small ladders) can reach heights that any normal home maintenance ladder is capable of reaching.
Many collapsible ladders allow you to reach heights similar to any typical ladder you’d use at home.
What to Look For in a Collapsible Ladder
Besides the ability to collapse it to a more storable size, there are a number of features you’ll want in any collapsible ladder. Let’s take a look at what we think are the most important features:
Easy Extension and Retraction
It’s important that a collapsible ladder is capable of being easily extended and retracted. No one wants to mess around with a ladder that’s difficult to use. More importantly, no one wants to catch fingers in areas of a ladder that weren’t intended for fingers, because that’s a good way to end up with fewer fingers!
Easy manual extension and retraction, or easy button retraction and extension, are essential. When shopping for a collapsible ladder, look out for this in user reviews.
Heavy-Duty Construction
Heavy-duty construction is a must-have for any ladder, and a collapsible ladder is no exception. Safety is the number one concern when using a ladder. A high-quality ladder made of high-grade aluminum serves the purpose well.
Speaking of aluminum…
Lightweight
All RVers understand the importance of keeping the weight of their rig’s contents to a minimum. When looking for a ladder for your RV, be sure to keep the weight of the ladder in mind. Aluminum alloy is a good material for a collapsible ladder because it’s not only lightweight (for the benefit of the RV’s load ratings), but also easy to maneuver as you carry it around the outside of the RV.
Aluminum alloy is also durable and sturdy, and it won’t corrode. This means that a ladder made of aluminum alloy can be stored or carried outside in the elements (for example, on the back of a van or RV).
Load Capacity/Weight Capacity
This refers to the weight capacity that the ladder can safely handle. Many household ladders are rated as “Type 3,” which means up to 200 pounds. If you or anyone else who may be using the ladder is anywhere close to 200 pounds, you’ll want a ladder capable of a higher load or weight capacity (since you’re likely to be holding/carrying other items with you while on the ladder, increasing the weight it needs to support). Type 1 commercial ladders are rated to 250 pounds, while type 1A industrial ladders have a duty rating of up to 300 pounds.
When shopping for a collapsible ladder to carry on your RV, be sure to consider load capacity based on the weight of the person or people who’ll be using the ladder.
This gives you a general idea of what you’re looking at when you see terms related to a ladder’s weight capacity. Keep this information in mind when shopping for a collapsible ladder for your RV.
Duty Rating
Duty rating is the maximum safe load capacity of the ladder. This not only includes the fully clothed ladder climber, but also any tools, paint, or other materials you may carry up the ladder.
Maximum Height
The maximum height of your collapsible ladder is important based on how much height you need for your RV. For example, if you need a ladder to get up onto the roof of your rig, then you’ll need to make sure that your collapsible ladder can safely take you to that height.
3 of the Best Collapsible Ladders for RVs
Now let’s take a look at three of the best collapsible ladders for RVs and the features that make them worth having.
GP Logistics 7′ Compact Folding Ladder
This is the ladder we carried for years, and it worked very well for us, so we can testify to its usefulness and durability. We had this ladder on board our Newmar motorhome for more than 15 years, and we used it regularly. Not only did it serve our needs well, but it’s still in great shape and going strong after all those years! Now, we remind you that our former rig was a Class A RV with large basement compartments, so storing this ladder was a breeze. In fact, we kept our ladder on our full-width pull-out tray, so access was super simple in that rig.
With all of that said, while this may have been the perfect ladder for us, it won’t be the right ladder for everyone. At its most compact, this ladder is roughly 7’ long and 5” square (exact dimensions: 87″ x 3.5″ x 4.5″). So, it’s definitely compact, but you’ve gotta have 7-foot-long storage available to consider this folding ladder for your RV.
There are many reasons why this is such a popular ladder for RVers:
- The ladder is made of alloy steel and is lightweight at only 14 pounds.
- It’s easy to move and store, and is rated for a load capacity of 225 pounds.
- It’s very easy to open and close, and includes straps to hold the legs of the ladder closed for storage and carrying.
You’ll see that reviews from motorhome and travel trailer owners are very good. This ladder essentially folds up into a long stick and is very well-made. All of the steps and step supports are firmly bolted together (as opposed to being riveted). Just note that the steps are a bit narrower than you might find on a traditional ladder (this never bothered us or hampered any of our projects, but you’ll see it noted in reviews from other users, all of whom agreed that the trade-off for the compactness of this well-made ladder is worth the slightly narrow steps).
PRO TIP: For storage, many RVers mount a piece of 5” square vinyl fence post to their bumper (using metal strapping or zip ties) to carry this ladder.
- Compact Design
- Recreational Vehicles
NOTE: this item is often out of stock on Amazon, so if that’s the case, you can also buy it at Camping World.
PEAYLI Telescoping Extension Ladder
This 16.5-foot (fully extended) aluminum alloy folding telescopic ladder is also very popular among RVers. Each layer of the ladder has two buttons that extend, retract, or lock the ladder in place securely. And the load capacity of this ladder is pretty impressive at 330 pounds, while the ladder itself weighs just under 30 pounds. Fully retracted, the ladder is only 3.1 feet long, making it very compact to store and carry on/in your RV or camper, or even in the trunk of your car.
PEAYLI also makes an aluminum telescoping ladder that weighs only 20 pounds and collapses down to 2.8 feet in length. The fully extended aluminum telescopic extension length of this ladder is 12.5 ft., but it also has a load capacity of 330 pounds.
The only drawback of this type of telescoping ladder is that it requires a surface to lean against for use. This is fine if you’re trying to reach a high area along the side of your RV. But if you need to tend to an item (such as a ceiling fan) right in the middle of a room, this isn’t the type of ladder you’d need because there’s nothing to lean the ladder against for climbing purposes.
Depending on why you want to carry a ladder with you when you travel, and how much room you have to store it, this could be just the perfect ladder for your needs.
We don’t own one ourselves, but our close friends Tom & Cait Morton (of Mortons on the Move) have this ladder and we’ve used it and liked it.
- 【16.5FT Telescoping Ladder】- The 16.5 ft extension ladder is made of high quality aluminum alloy. Plastic parts are reinforced with nylon fiber to...
- 【Locking Mechanism】- The independent locking mechanism allows the aluminum 16.5FT telescoping ladder to be locked at every step. Using the inward...
Little Giant Ladders “Velocity” M17 Multi-Position Ladder
This 17-foot multi-position ladder easily converts to an extension ladder, A-frame ladder, a 90-degree ladder, a staircase ladder, a step ladder, or a trestle-and-plank (Velocity Trestle Brackets sold separately). It has tip-and-glide wheels for easy movement from place to place and is a type 1A ladder rated for a load capacity of 300 pounds.
This 17-foot version weighs 32 pounds and requires a storage height of 4 feet 7 inches and a storage depth of 9 inches. But Little Giant also makes a 13-foot (25-pound) version, a 22-foot (39-pound) version, and a 26-foot (50-pound) version of these multi-position ladders.
Made of an aerospace-grade alloy that leaves it weighing 20% less than comparable industrial ladders, the Velocity has wide-flared legs for extra stability.
While definitely not as portable as the other two options, this is a great ladder for anyone who needs the higher rating for doing work while traveling in their RV. It’s extremely stable and very versatile. In fact, our friend Tyler from Tough Top Awnings uses these heavy-duty ladders to install slide toppers… and any time we’ve done a project with him, we’ve commented on how rugged and stable they are.
- THE ORIGINAL MULTI-POSITION LADDER Little Giant Ladders didn’t just perfect the multi-position ladder—we invented it. Combining multiple ladder...
- ONE LADDER. UNMATCHED VERSATILITY. A-frame. Extension. Staircase. 90-degree wall position. One ladder that locks into whatever the job demands. Built...
Do You Carry a Collapsible Ladder?
If you carry a compact or collapsible ladder, we’d love to hear about it. How compact is it, how heavy, and how has it worked for you? And while you’re at it, tell us the type of RV you’re using to carry it!
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Jay
Wednesday 20th of August 2025
We purchased an Xtend+Climb aluminum telescoping ladder from Home Depot. Its listed height is 15.5' and supports 250#. It is sturdy yet very compact and collapses to 36". The cost in April 2024 was $322 (now it's $418). It also comes in a version that supports 300# for $508. The height up our coach is about 12'+, so this was overkill, but I didn't know better. What I found was that if I extended the ladder so that the top was higher than the coach, I would then have to climb around the ladder to get onto the roof and that was very unpleasant. The best height is at or just slightly higher than the roof edge. When using it, I always have my wife spotting me (she reassures me that the life insurance has been paid this month). I like this ladder because of its collapsed size and because it doesn't scratch the coach's walls. It easily fits lying on its side inside a compartment.
We also have 2 multi-position ladders. One folds up into 4 sections and can extend 16' or so. The other both folds and is telescopic and is better designed. They both would take up more space in the RV than we can afford and they're heavy. Setting it up for anything besides the usual step-ladder position is difficult. Moving and positioning those ladders fully extended is awkward at best. Some of them have serious safety concerns. Their hinges can damage the side of any RV. Considering only their maximum heights, these will be the least expensive.
Any ladder is dangerous. Climbing up with tools is even more so. It is common for me to have to make several climbs when multiple tools and hardware are required. That picture with the guy power-spraying his solar panels could be me. The recoil from the power sprayer every time you fire it can easily cause a loss of balance when on a ladder.
RV repair centers don't use telescopic ladders. They use either a step ladder, a platform ladder or a scaffold. The step ladder has to extend way above the height of your RV. A 16' one will cost almost $1000 and would be a challenge transporting it home! The platform ladder is probably the safest and we used to have one a few moves ago. They're the ladders you see in the isles in the big box stores and, at the time, we bought ours unassembled from Uline. They're even more expensive and take up a lot of floor space. They're great for changing light bulbs in your 16' tall steel garage if that's what you have.
Play it safe.
ROGER
Wednesday 20th of August 2025
I have and often use with my 5th wheel both the 7’ folding compact ladder and the 12’6” telescoping ladder type 1A, but not the GP Logistic brand. Both of my ladders are Telesteps brand and from my experience are very high quality. I cannot compare them with GP Logistic as I am not at all familiar with that brand.
For anyone interested in considering Telesteps ladders I did a quick search on eTrailer.com and both types of the ladders I use are presently available. I have no connection with eTrailer and simply offer this resource for anyone interested in availability of these types of ladders.
If you are not familiar with eTrailer this may be a good opportunity to get to know an excellent online source for many items RV’ers may need, just FYI…
Grant
Wednesday 20th of August 2025
I have the GP Logistics 7′ Compact Folding Ladder, and I LOVE IT! We have a gas Class A, so the passthroughs are only about 8" tall. With this being about 4" when collapsed, it slides right in and takes up virtually no space, and it is SO light weight! The rungs are a bit small which makes it a little uncomfortable to stand on for a length of time, but its compactness certainly makes up for it. HIGHLY recommend this ladder if you are looking for an A-frame ladder.
Mark Bush
Wednesday 20th of August 2025
Thanks for this article. It’s very timely. Our Brinkley Z3400 came with a telescoping ladder that connects to a bracket on the side of our 5th wheel. It even has its own storage bay under the main pass-through basement storage. This is fine for getting on our roof but not much else. Later this year, I’m attending the Certified Inspector Course at NRVTA and I’m leaning towards the Little Giant for its versatility and stability. We have the Gen-Y Gooseneck so I believe I’ll be able to store this in the bed of our F450 long bed truck on travel days as well as when performing inspections. Plus having an A Frame ladder around our rig will come in handy.
Tony P
Wednesday 20th of August 2025
Great article with very useful info. I have a 30’ travel trailer, so storage space is limited. I use a telescoping 12’ ladder to take on the road with us. It fits very nicely on the floor of the backseat in our RAM 1500 tow vehicle. It’s great to get some height to clear debris from the camper roof and under the slide topper before we depart our campsite using a hose or blower while standing on the ladder. I don’t feel safe enough ( at the age of 71) to use it to climb onto the roof, especially with the narrow steps, so I have a standard 10’ A frame ladder at home for that, and don’t have to lean a ladder on the RV. To collapse it, you need to press a button on each side of the ladder at each step. I do this very carefully because there is a fair amount of weight slamming down as you collapse each step and you have to be careful for your fingers. As mentioned, the major drawback is it needs to lean on something and is not freestanding. At times I just leave it stored in the truck, and at times have helped others out with it, and they are amazed when I tell them I have a 12. Ft ladder in my back seat.