If there’s one maintenance task that separates the RV owners who stay ahead of problems from those who get blindsided by expensive repairs, it’s regular roof inspections. Your RV’s roof takes more punishment than any other surface on the rig—UV exposure, rain, hail, falling branches, temperature cycling from below freezing to well over 100 degrees, and the constant vibration of highway travel working on every seal and seam. A small crack in a sealant bead can become a major water intrusion problem within a single season if it goes unnoticed.
But here’s the thing: you can’t inspect what you can’t reach. A surprising number of RV owners have never been on their roof, not because they don’t care about maintenance, but because their rig didn’t come with a ladder, or the factory ladder is mounted in an awkward location, or they simply don’t have a safe, stable way to get up there. That’s where a quality RV ladder becomes an essential piece of maintenance equipment rather than an optional accessory.
This roundup covers the best ladder options we carry at the RV Upgrade Store, from telescoping portable ladders to permanent exterior mounts and even a clever mounting solution for your Starlink satellite dish.
Best for: RV owners who need portable roof access without a permanently mounted ladder
The Lippert telescoping ladder has become one of our best sellers for a simple reason: it gives you safe, stable roof access without adding a permanent fixture to your RV’s exterior. The telescoping design extends to over 14 feet when fully deployed—more than enough to reach the roof of even the tallest Class A motorhomes—and collapses down to a compact size that stores easily in a basement compartment or against a wall.
There’s been a growing trend among RV manufacturers to eliminate factory-installed exterior ladders. The reasoning varies—some cite aesthetics, others claim it discourages roof walking by untrained owners, and a few manufacturers have said it’s a liability concern. Whatever the reason, the result is that more RV owners than ever need an aftermarket solution for getting to their roof. This Lippert ladder fills that need perfectly.
The telescoping mechanism locks at each section with a positive click that you can both feel and hear, so there’s no ambiguity about whether the ladder is fully extended and locked before you put weight on it. The feet have non-slip pads that grip pavement, concrete, and even grass reasonably well. At full extension, the angle and stability are solid enough to feel confident climbing with both hands free for carrying sealant, tools, or an inspection mirror.
Weight capacity is a consideration with any telescoping ladder, and the Lippert handles typical adult weight well. However, I always remind customers not to carry heavy loads up a telescoping ladder—make multiple trips with lighter loads rather than one trip with a five-gallon bucket of roof coating. The lightweight construction that makes it portable also means it doesn’t have the same rigidity as a heavy-duty permanent ladder, so treat it accordingly.
For the price, portability, and peace of mind of being able to get to your roof anytime you need to, this is the ladder I recommend to most RV owners who don’t have a factory-installed option.
Pro Tip: Before setting up a telescoping ladder, check the ground surface. Soft ground, gravel, and wet pavement can all compromise stability. If the ground is questionable, place a wide, flat board under the ladder feet to create a stable platform.
Buy the Lippert Telescoping Ladder
Best for: Safe, comfortable access to overhead bunk beds in travel trailers and motorhomes
Bunk beds are one of the most popular features in family-oriented RVs, but the ladders that come with them are often an afterthought—flimsy, narrow, and uncomfortable to climb. Kids especially struggle with factory bunk ladders that were designed by engineers who apparently never watched a six-year-old try to climb in the dark after a long day of hiking.
The Stromberg Carlson bunk ladder is a proper upgrade. At 60 inches, it provides a comfortable climbing angle without being so long that it blocks the aisle when deployed. The black finish blends with most modern RV interiors, and the build quality is noticeably better than what comes out of the factory on most rigs.
The rungs are wider and more comfortable underfoot than typical factory ladders, which matters when you’re climbing up and down multiple times a day—or when kids are using the ladder unsupervised. The hooks at the top are designed to grip the bunk rail securely without scratching or marring the wood or laminate surface.
I sell a lot of these as replacements for factory ladders that have broken or bent under use. RV bunk ladders take surprising abuse over the life of the rig, and replacing a worn-out ladder is one of the quickest, cheapest safety improvements you can make in a family RV.
Pro Tip: Store the bunk ladder in a secure location during travel. A loose ladder bouncing around in the cabin during a rough stretch of road can damage walls, furniture, and anyone unlucky enough to be in its path. Most RV owners lean it against the bunk wall and secure it with a bungee cord.
Buy the Stromberg Carlson Bunk Ladder
Best for: Camper van and Class B owners who need roof access via the rear doors
Class B vans and camper vans present a unique ladder challenge. There’s typically no sidewall space for a traditional exterior ladder, and the roofline isn’t high enough to justify a full-height ladder—but you still need to get up there for maintenance, solar panel cleaning, and cargo rack access.
The Surco van rear door ladder hooks over the top of the rear doors and provides a short, stable climbing surface to reach the roof. It’s a simple, elegant solution that doesn’t require drilling, permanent mounting hardware, or any modification to your van. Open the rear doors, hook the ladder over the top, and climb up. When you’re done, the ladder is removed and stored inside the van or in the rear cargo area.
The aluminum construction keeps the weight down—important for van lifers who are already watching every pound of their payload capacity. The hooks are padded to prevent scratching the door tops, and the overall fit is designed to be compatible with the most common van configurations used for camper conversions.
Pro Tip: When using a door-mounted ladder, make sure both rear doors are fully open and secured before climbing. A door that swings closed while you’re on the ladder can knock you off balance. Use the door hold-open catches or wedge the doors with blocks.
Buy the Surco Van Rear Door Ladder
Best for: Permanent exterior ladder installation for consistent, convenient roof access
For RV owners who want a permanently mounted exterior ladder—the kind you can use anytime without setting up a portable unit—the Stromberg Carlson universal exterior ladder is the industry standard. This is the type of ladder you see on the rear of most Class A and Class C motorhomes, and there’s a good reason it’s the go-to choice: it’s strong, weather-resistant, and built to handle years of use in every climate condition.
The “universal” designation means it’s designed to fit a wide range of RV heights and configurations. The mounting brackets adjust to accommodate different wall thicknesses and roof heights, and the overall length covers the majority of Class A, Class C, and larger travel trailer applications. Installation does require drilling into the sidewall of your RV and sealing the mounting points, so this is a more committed upgrade than a portable ladder—but the convenience of having a ladder always ready to climb is worth it for owners who inspect their roof regularly.
The build quality is robust enough to handle heavy adults without flex or wobble. The rungs are comfortable to grip and wide enough for secure footing even in wet conditions. Unlike a telescoping portable ladder that might shift on uneven ground, a permanently mounted ladder is rock-solid every time you use it.
I recommend permanent exterior ladders for full-timers, extended travelers, and anyone who takes roof maintenance seriously. Having the ladder right there, ready to use, dramatically increases the likelihood that you’ll actually get up on the roof regularly rather than putting off inspections until a leak forces the issue.
Pro Tip: When installing a permanent ladder, seal every bolt hole with Dicor self-leveling sealant and apply a generous bead around each mounting bracket. Every penetration in your RV’s sidewall is a potential water intrusion point. It would be ironic to cause a leak while installing equipment meant to help you prevent leaks.
Buy the Stromberg Carlson Exterior Ladder
Best for: RV owners who want to mount their Starlink satellite dish to their existing ladder
This one’s a bit different from the other products in this roundup, but it’s here because it represents one of the most popular uses of an RV ladder in 2025 that has nothing to do with climbing. Starlink satellite internet has absolutely exploded in the RV community, and one of the biggest practical questions for new Starlink users is: Where do I mount this dish?
The Flagpole Buddy Starlink mounting kit clamps to your existing exterior RV ladder and provides a secure, elevated mounting point for the Gen 3 Starlink dish. The ladder gives the dish height for better satellite line-of-sight, the mount keeps it stable in wind, and the whole setup can be deployed or removed in minutes without any permanent modifications.
I’ve watched the Starlink phenomenon transform campground connectivity over the past couple of years. RV owners who were previously limited to spotty campground WiFi or expensive cellular data plans now have reliable, high-speed internet anywhere they can see the sky. The ladder mount is the cleanest, most popular way to position the dish at the right height without cluttering up your roof or drilling additional mounting hardware.
This kit is specifically designed for the Gen 3 Starlink dish, so verify which generation you have before ordering. The mounting hardware is weather-resistant and designed to handle the vibrations of travel when left mounted during short moves between sites.
Pro Tip: Position the Starlink dish on the side of your ladder that faces the most open sky—typically the side away from trees, buildings, and other obstructions. The dish needs a clear view of the sky to maintain a strong connection, and even partial obstruction from nearby trees can cause intermittent drops.
Buy the Starlink Ladder Mounting Kit
The decision between a portable telescoping ladder and a permanent exterior mount comes down to how often you plan to use it and how committed you are to regular roof maintenance. A permanent ladder is always there, always ready, and always stable—but it adds visual bulk to your RV’s exterior and requires drilling into the sidewall. A portable telescoping ladder stores out of sight, adds nothing to your exterior profile, and can be used on any RV you own—but it requires setup time and a suitable ground surface each time you use it.
For full-timers and frequent travelers who inspect their roof monthly, a permanent ladder is the practical choice. For seasonal RVers who check their roof a few times per year, a portable telescoping ladder provides the access you need without the permanent installation.
Roof access isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of the most important capabilities your RV needs. Water damage from undetected roof leaks is the most expensive and most preventable maintenance failure in the RV world. A $200 ladder that lets you inspect your roof quarterly can prevent thousands of dollars in water damage repairs. It’s one of the best investments you can make in the long-term health of your rig.
Whether you choose a portable telescoping ladder for flexibility, a permanent exterior mount for convenience, or a specialized solution for your van or Starlink setup, the important thing is that you have safe, reliable access to your roof. Pick the option that fits your RV and your camping style, and then actually use it. Your roof will thank you.
I’m Bill Rowell, the founder of RVupgrades.com. In 2002, I launched the business to help fellow RV enthusiasts find unique and hard-to-find products. Over the years, it’s grown to offer more than 15,000 items, with a warehouse in Eastlake, Ohio. Having owned and repaired nearly every type of RV, I bring over two decades of hands-on experience to the table. For me, this isn’t just a business – it’s a passion and a way of life that I love sharing with the RV community.
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