What Size Ladder Do I Need for a Caravan Roof?

May 22, 2025 | Nate Cord

For a lot of people, caravans and motorhomes are a home away from home. They’re a fantastic way to have a little getaway without actually having to travel abroad, and with staycations becoming more popular here in the UK, caravans are also an increasingly attractive option for affordable, flexible holidays.

Caravan and motorhome owners take a lot of pride in their home on wheels, and keeping them clean is a high priority. The outside of the caravan can be cleaned quite easily with a pressure washer or traditional car cleaning kit, but the roof is often a little harder to get to due to the height.

This is where a caravan ladder comes in handy…

What Size Ladder Do I Need for a Caravan Roof?

When it comes to working on your caravan or motorhome roof, whether it’s for cleaning, maintenance, or even installing accessories like roof boxes or solar panels, having the right size ladder is crucial.

If it’s too short, you’ll struggle to reach safely, but too tall, and it becomes bulky and harder to transport or store. You need to get the right medium.

Most caravan roofs sit between 2.5 to 3 metres (8 to 10 feet) off the ground, so you’ll generally need a ladder that extends to at least 3.5 metres (11.5 feet) to allow for safe working height and stability.

To clean the top of your caravan, ideally you need to be standing at waist height and be hands free, so an 8 foot ladder would be ideal for this job.

If you have any questions about this, feel free to give our experts a call on 01639 849847.

What Type of Ladder is Best to Use for a Caravan?

Choosing the right type of ladder for your caravan is just as important as getting the right size. You want to look for something that’s stable, easy to transport, and safe to use on a variety of surfaces – especially when you’re dealing with uneven ground at campsites.

1. Purpose-Build Caravan Cleaning Ladder

One of the best options for caravan use is a purpose-built caravan cleaning ladder.

This type of ladder is specially designed for use with caravans and motorhomes, featuring a curved top section that rests securely against the roof without causing damage, along with wide, anti-slip treads for safer footing. Many also come with rubber feet to prevent slipping and protect the ground surface.

Caravan Cleaning Ladder

Our Caravan Cleaning Ladder is a fantastic example of a quality purpose-built ladder. Unlike standard ladders that can cause scratches or dent the awning rail, this one is built to provide a more caravan-friendly solution.

This particular ladder offers exceptional stability, helping to prevent movement while in use and ensuring the safety of the user. It’s suitable for vehicle roof heights of approximately 2.5 metres, which covers most standard caravan and motorhome sizes.

The ladder includes outrigger bars that are easily adjustable using sliding clamp plates. For extra stability, the ladder is also supplied with a suction pad and webbing strap that secures the base section in place during use.

The Ladders4sale Caravan Ladder also features large rubber swivel feet that help keep the ladder stable on various surfaces and terrain, reducing the risk of slipping.

2. Telescopic Ladders

A telescopic ladder is another popular choice for caravanners, and for good reason.

One of the biggest challenges when travelling with a caravan is managing limited storage space, and telescopic ladders solve that problem perfectly. When collapsed, they pack down into a compact size that’s easy to tuck away in a storage locker, under a seat, or even in the boot of your car – making them ideal for mobile living.

Another benefit is that they can extend to impressive heights, often reaching 3 to 4 metres when fully extended, which, as touched on above, is more than enough to safely access most caravan roofs.

Telescopic Extension Soft Close Extension Ladder

The Telescopic Extension Soft Close Extension Ladder by Abbey Ladders is a great option for caravan owners seeking a balance between reach and compact storage. It extends up to 3.8 meters, allowing easy access to most caravan roofs, and collapses down to a manageable size for storage.

It also features wide comfortable treads, an automatic locking system and a soft-close mechanism, ensuring the ladder retracts slowly and safely to prevent trapped fingers or sudden drops.

3. Step Ladders

While they may not offer the same reach as telescopic ladders, step ladders shine in situations where you don’t need full roof access or when you’re working beside the caravan rather than on top of it.

This makes them ideal for a variety of tasks such as cleaning windows, accessing roof-mounted storage boxes from the side, hanging awnings, or performing minor maintenance jobs at mid-height.

One of the biggest advantages of step ladders is that they are self-supporting, meaning they don’t need to lean against the side of your caravan. They also tend to offer excellent stability on flat, firm ground, with wide steps and a broad base that help reduce wobble.

Hailo L80 Comfortline Step Ladder

If you’re looking for a reliable step ladder for your caravan, we would recommend the Hailo L80 Comfortline Step Ladder.

Designed with high-tech riveted rail-step joints, it ensures a robust and long-lasting structure, which is essential for the regular tasks associated with maintaining and accessing a caravan.

The ladder features XXL 130mm deep safety steps, providing a secure and comfortable foothold, which is especially important when dealing with uneven or soft ground often found at campsites.

What’s more, the slip-resistant feet keep the ladder steady even on less stable surfaces like grass or gravel.

If you require additional information or have a question for our team on ladders, don’t hesitate to get in contact using this form or via phone at 01639 849847 And for more expertly written tips and insights, check out our ladder blog.

Are you looking for a reliable ladder for your caravan or other premium access equipment? We’re your guys. At Ladders4Sale, we offer a range of ladders, platforms, steps, towers, and accessories for all trade and do-it-yourself jobs at unbeatable low prices.

Better yet, all of our products come with lifetime support – after your initial purchase, we continue to provide ongoing support and assistance for free. In addition, all orders come with free shipping to mainland UK.