My 08 Hawk came with a nice folding, three-step aluminum ladder. It's sturdy and the treads are wide. Not sure of brand, but could find out. Problem is where to store it, since my labrador rides in the camper while on the road. I strapped the ladder on the settee, but that was kind of lame. What with mud on the steps, the awkwardness of lifting it in and out, plus having to jump out after-wards made me think there's a better way.
My Hawk came with foot-rungs (?) bolted on the exterior of the back wall. My folded ladder lays almost perfectly against the siding and is supported by the rung. I fabricated a piece of aluminum bar stock that holds the ladder perfectly tight and is even lockable, since I drilled it for a padlock. Added a couple of strips of industrial felt to the ladder and did some minor grinding to make it lay perfectly flat and voila! My ladder is mounted to the rear of the camper and does not move at all. I've done a test drive of 750 miles, with at least a third on dirt, including some tough 4WD and the ladder did not scratch or move at all. If anyone's interested, I'll take a photo and upload.
Now, my next project is a dog ramp for my older lab, Sadie. I notice there are 5/8" x 10" x 72" spaces between the camper plywood runner and the truck bed, with more space between the corrugations on the bed. I'm thinking I could make a slide out ramp of thin stock (3/8" masonite??) and reinforce it where there is room between the corrugations. If it's too flexy, I might let it sag onto the ladder which would be directly beneath it. Cover the top with a thin rubber runner material and my dog can get in and out without me lifting 60# of wet/stinky dog every time. She's almost thirteen so don't ask her to jump! I'm getting old enough that my back doesn't want to do the lifting either : )
Andy
