Atwood MHL2240 Owner's manual

LITERATURE NUMBER 297-333466
Universal Ladder for
Recreational Vehicle
Model # MHL2240
This Universal Ladder design has been verified to the
guidelines stated in this document for use on recreation
vehicles.
●Installation ●Operation ●Maintenance
Effective 01/16/2014
SERVICE CALLS & QUESTIONS
Location and phone numbers of qualified Service
Centers can be found at our website
http://www.atwoodmobile.com or call 866-869-3118 to
locate a Service Center.
WARNING
MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH
For your safety and protection, it is important that this
installation manual is read and understood before
installation or use. Failure to properly install the unit or
attempting to modify it in any way can be extremely
hazardous and may result in property damage and
personal injury and will void the warranty.
CAUTION
MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY
DAMAGE
Incorrect or improper installation may cause
personal injury and/or property damage.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Package Contents:
• Handle Section: Quantity 2
• Upper Ladder Section: Quantity 1
• Lower Ladder Section: Quantity 1
• Installation Kit: Quantity 1
-consisting of the following:
• Triangular Mounting Bracket: Quantity 2
• #10-24x1-1/2” Pan-head Machine Screw:
Quantity 6
• #10-24 Nut, Nylon Self-locking: Quantity 6
• Standoff tube assembly: Quantity 4
• #1/4-20x3” Round-head Machine Screw:
Quantity 4
• Instruction Sheet
TOOLS REQUIRED:
• Drill with 13/64” and 17/64” bits (can be slightly larger)
• Hacksaw or tube cutter
• File
• Tape Measure
• Phillips-tip screwdriver (Screw gun recommended)
• Tall Step Ladder (For Roof Access)
SAFETY ALERT SYMBOLS
Safety Symbols alerting you to potential personal safety hazards.
Obey all safety messages following these symbols
WARNING
avoid possible
injury or death
CAUTION
avoid possible
injury and/or property damage

PURPOSE
This product is designed for installation onto the roof and
rear wall of a recreational vehicle to provide and/or
increase accessibility to the recreational vehicle roof.
-The MAXIMUM WEIGHT CAPACITY of the Universal
Ladder is 300 lbs.
Before you begin…
WARNING
MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH
The vehicle’s roof and rear wall surfaces must contain
proper support for fastening, consisting of the RV’s
framing or backing material provided by the RV
manufacturer specifically for this purpose. Refer to
your RV dealer, local installer or vehicle manufacturer
for frame and backing locations or suggested ladder
placement specific to your model. Do not connect the
ladder to any surface not supported by framing or
backing material designed to meet the ladder’s weight
capacity requirements. It is the responsibility of the
installer to determine that respective conditions and
rated capacity will allow the use of this Universal
Ladder.
-The vehicle’s roof surface and substructure should be in
good condition with no dented, cracked, broken or rusted
parts.
-The vehicle’s rear wall surface and substructure should
be in good condition with no dented, cracked, broken or
rusted parts.
-The handle portion of the Universal Ladder is intended
to be mounted on a relatively flat portion of the roof.
Most RV roofs remain relatively flat all the way up to the
edge of the roof, but for roofs that have “radius” edges
use caution to ensure the ladder is not mounted into the
radius.
-Familiarize yourself with the ladder components. The
ladder rail construction consists of tubing with two
different diameters. The smaller diameter tube is slid
inside the larger diameter tube and permanently held in
place by a formed feature of the tube or by a fastener.
The smaller diameter tube is used to junction two pieces
of larger diameter tube together and is referred to as an
insert.
INSTALLATION
How to mount the Universal Ladder to your RV.
WARNING
MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH
The Universal Ladder is intended to be a permanent
fixture. The Universal Ladder should only be installed
when the vehicle is parked on level ground.
1. The major portions of the ladder are to be pre-
assembled prior to installation. Slide the handle sections
over the smaller-diameter inserts of the upper ladder
section. Turn the handles until the pre-drilled holes of
the handle line up with the holes of the insert. If holes
are not present, turn the handles until they are
perpendicular to the ladder section and drill a 13/64”
hole through each handle and inner tube insert
approximately 1-1/2” from the handle insert end. NOTE:
When drilling, always drill perpendicular through the
center of the tube; do not drill at an angle or off-center.
Place a #10-24x1-1/2” bolt through each set of holes and
fasten each with a #10-24 nut with nylon lock insert (see
Diagram #2).

Tighten the bolts until snug to surface. Be careful not to
over-tighten the bolts or tubes may be crushed. NOTE:
Do not apply final torque until instructed as handle bolts
may need to be removed later in instructions.
CAUTION
MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY
DAMAGE
Over-tightening bolts will cause damage to the ladder
and render it unusable and unsafe. The nylon-lock
nuts allow the bolt to be assembled to hold parts in
place without being tightened to the required
application torque. When instructed, all bolt and nut
assemblies should be tighten to the specified torque
without exceeding the specified torque values.
2. Slide the upper ladder assembly over the smaller-
diameter inserts of the lower ladder section. Pre-drilled
holes should line up in both sections. If holes are not
present, drill a 13/64” hole through the each upper
ladder assembly section rail and inner tube insert
approximately 1-1/2” from the upper ladder assembly rail
end. Place a #10-24x1-1/2” bolt through each set of
holes and fasten each with a #10-24 nut with nylon lock
insert. Tighten the bolt 10 16-18 in-lbs until snug to
surface (see Diagram #3). Be careful not to over-tighten
the bolt or tube may be crushed.
3. The ladder will be mounted from the top down. Begin
by placing the upper portion of the ladder on the roof
with the curved handle section ends resting on the roof
and the rest of the ladder hanging vertical down along
the rear wall. Move the ladder until it aligns vertically
with known frame or backer locations. Swing ladder
side-to-side until it is vertical from left to right when
facing the rear wall.
WARNING
MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH
Mounting your ladder will involve heights that will
require most individuals to be elevated off of the
ground, especially for roof access. Make sure that any
structure you use for climbing is secure and that you
can safely maneuver up and down the various
positions safely before attempting this installation.
4. Check the ends of the handles setting on the roof. If
the roof is flat, the handle ends should lay flat against
the roof and no modifications will need to be done. If
one end is resting on the roof and one end is raised
above the roof, then the roof more than likely has a
radius or angle built into it and the handle ends will need
to be modified. Measure the gap between the end of the
raised handle portion and the roof. Mark the measured
gap distance onto the handle portion that is resting on
the roof. Using a hacksaw or tube cutter, remove the end
of the resting handle portion at the mark and check the
fit. Both handles should now be resting on the roof and
the ladder should be vertical from left to right. Drill a
13/64” hole through the side of each handle section ¾”
from the end (see Diagram #4). To clarify orientation,
the triangular mounting bracket is intended to allow the
ladder to swivel away from the rear wall of the vehicle
once attached and mounted.

5. Align the holes of a triangular mounting bracket with
the holes on a respective handle section. Place a #10-
24x1-1/2” bolt through each set of holes and fasten each
with a #10-24 nut with nylon lock insert. Tighten the bolt
to 16-18 in-lbs until snug to surface (see Diagram #5).
Be careful not to over-tighten the bolt or tube may be
crushed. Repeat with the other handle section.
6. The ladder as packaged is designed with lower mount
pads that are intended to mount to the rear wall
approximately 78” below the roof line. With the ladder
handles resting on the roof, it can be determined if the
ladder will need to be modified to align with any backer
location(s).
If there is an intended backer location that the ladder
must be shortened in order to align to, measure the
distance from the backer location to the center of the
mounting pad. NOTE: 3” of straight tube section must
remain on the handle to properly attach to the Upper
Ladder Section; total removed material section cannot
exceed 3”. Once this distance has been determined,
remove the ladder from the roof and disassemble both
the handle portions from the upper ladder assembly by
removing the #10-24x1-1/2” bolt and #10-24 nut with
nylon lock insert. Mark the measured distance on the
handle portion from the end that the upper ladder
assembly inserts into. Using a hacksaw or tube cutter,
remove the end of the handle portion at the mark. Slide
the handle sections over the smaller-diameter inserts of
the upper ladder section. Turn the handles until they are
perpendicular to the ladder section and drill a 13/64”
hole through each handle and inner tube insert
approximately 1-1/2” from the handle insert end (see
Diagram #6). Replace the #10-24x1-1/2” bolt through
each set of holes and fasten each with a #10-24 nut with
nylon lock insert. Tighten the bolt to 16-18 in-lb until
snug to surface (see Diagram #7). Be careful not to
over-tighten the bolt or tube may be crushed. Set the
ladder back into position with its handles resting on the
roof.

7. The ladder is provided with (4) standoff tube
assemblies that are to be located along the ladder rail
and aligned with the vehicle’s intended backer locations.
In most cases, the standoffs will be located evenly
spaced from the roof line to the ladder bottom or in the
immediate vicinity above and below a rear window. The
standoffs should be installed in pairs which align
horizontally on each respective ladder rail. Modifying the
standoff height is not recommended as adjustments are
limited; if necessary, measure and remove material
cautiously as a minimum remaining depth of ¼” of
material in front of the inserted press-fit nut. Once
locations have been determined, drill 17/64” hole
through the center of each rail. Place a standoff
between the ladder rail and the vehicle’s rear wall. Align
the hole in the standoff with the drilled hole in the rail.
Place a #1/4-20x3” round-head machine screw through
the hole on the other side of the rail and thread it into the
inserted nut located inside the end of the standoff tube.
Tighten the bolt to 16-18 in-lb until snug to surface (see
Diagram #8). Be careful not to over-tighten the bolt or
tube may be crushed. Repeat for each standoff
assembly until all are attached to the ladder. Set the
ladder back into position with its handles resting on the
roof.
8. Begin mounting the ladder by starting at the top and
working your way down.
WARNING
MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH
Proper fastener specification is based on the framing
or backer material provided in the RV’s sub-structure.
Refer to your RV dealer, local installer or vehicle
manufacturer for recommended fastener specification,
size, and type suitable for this type of installation
Place a screw into both mounting holes in each
respective triangular mounting bracket and secure to the
roof. Depending on the tools used, all of the mount
holes may not be accessible. Securing the brackets may
require you to swivel the ladder or separate the ladder
from the brackets in order to access the mount holes.
First secure the bracket with a screw through the
accessible mounting hole. If ladder cannot be positioned
to access the second mount hole, then remove the bolt
holding the ladder to each bracket, remove the ladder
and then place a screw through each bracket’s second
mounting hole. Replace the ladder into the brackets with
the respective removed bolt-and-nut assembly. Be sure

to replace the attachment bolt and re-torque to
specification above.
Working down the back wall, secure the upper pair of
standoffs and then secure the lower pair of standoffs to
the rear wall. Finish by secure the base pads of the
ladder to the rear wall.
WARNING
MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH
Failure to properly secure the Universal Ladder to the
vehicle may cause damage or injury. Always verify
that the Universal Ladder is securely fastened to the
vehicle when installed for use on the vehicle.
OPERATION
CAUTION
MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY
DAMAGE
For comfort as well as safety, hands should be
completely dry and footwear should have solid
bottoms to provide better grip and support when
climbing a ladder. Bare feet, soft sandals or “flip-flops”
are not recommended.
When climbing onto the Universal Ladder, grab onto the
rungs of the ladder using a hand-over-hand method.
Always keep a firm grip on the ladder as you ascend and
descend, only releasing one hand before reaching and
grabbing the next location. While ascending and
descending the Universal Ladder and/or vehicle ladder,
always make sure feet are planted firmly on the
occupied step before advancing to the next step.
WARNING
MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH
The Universal Ladder is intended to be used within the
specified limits to securely access the RV roof.
Consider all applied forces including the weight of the
operator, the weight of any additional load the operator
may be handling and any other weight that may be
applied to the ladder. The Universal Ladder is not
designed to withstand excessive force in any direction.

MAINTENANCE
The Universal Ladder is made from durable materials
and is intended for outdoor use. However, minor
maintenance may be required periodically.
The Universal Ladder may be cleaned with warm soapy
water. Be sure to thoroughly rinse with clean water to
retain finish. May be towel or air-dried.
Check to make sure all fasteners are tight before and
after each use, and replace any missing fasteners before
use. Do not use Universal Ladder if any fasteners are
damaged, broken or missing.
Periodically inspect the Universal Ladder tubing and
components for any damage, cracks or broken pieces.
Replace the Universal Ladder if damaged, cracked or
broken. Do not use Universal Ladder if any components
are damaged, broken or missing.
The Universal Ladder is intended to be a permanent
fixture. When vehicle is in storage or parked for
extended periods, the Universal Ladder should be
covered as minimizing the Universal Ladder
components’ exposure to the elements or other hazards
will prolong the life of the Universal Ladder and its
components.
ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS LLC
LIMITED WARRANTY
Atwood Mobile Products LLC warrants to the original retail customer of products
manufactured by Atwood Mobile Products LLC and subject to the below
mentioned conditions, that this product will be free of defects in material and
workmanship for the below specified period of time from the original date of
purchase or manufacture. For the remainder of this document Atwood Mobile
Products LLC will be referred to as Atwood. Atwood’s liability hereunder is limited
to the replacement of the product, repair of the product, or replacement of the
product with a reconditioned product at the discretion of the manufacturer. This
warranty is not transferable and is intended for original purchaser only. This
warranty is void if the product has been damaged by accident, unreasonable use,
neglect, tampering, or other causes not arising from defects in material or
workmanship. The warranty extends to the original owner of the product and is
subject to the following conditions.
1) Atwood will repair or replace any part defective in material or
workmanship, after inspection by Atwood. This warranty includes labor
charges per Atwood’s Flat Rate Schedule as required to remove and
replace the part. Service calls to customer’s location and diagnostic time
are not considered part of these charges and, therefore may be the
responsibility of the owner.
2) In the event of a warranty claim, service may be performed at any
approved OEM dealer location
3) Parts being replaced must be shipped to Atwood “Prepaid” in first class
saleable condition and identified with a return goods number, unless other
arrangements have been made. Credit for shipping costs will be included
with the warranty claim. The defective parts become the property of
Atwood and must be returned to Atwood.
4) Returned goods – Goods may not be returned without our consent.
Requests for returns should be made within 10 days from receipt of our
invoice. If the parts being returned are not defective, Atwood reserves the
right to apply a 20% restocking fee. We cannot accept material which has
been custom fabricated or modified from its original design.
5) This warranty applies only if the product is installed, repaired, maintained
and operated according to the installation/service instructions. Any
deviations from these recommended specifications must be approved in
writing by Atwood.
6) The warranty period on replacement parts is the unused portion of the
original warranty period.
7) Damage or failure resulting from misuse (including failure to seek proper
repair service), misapplication or alterations is the owner’s responsibility.
8) Atwood does not assume responsibility for any loss of use, loss of time,
inconvenience, expense for gasoline, telephone, travel lodging, loss or
damage to personal property, or revenues. Some states do not allow the
exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the
above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.
9) Any implied warranties are limited to the product’s warranty period. Some
states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so
the above limitation may not apply to you. This warranty gives you
specific legal rights and you may also have other rights, which vary from
state to state.
10) Replacement parts purchased outside of the original warranty carry a 90-
day warranty.
11) Any action to enforce this warranty shall not be commenced more than 3
months after the expiration of this warranty.
12) THIS WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE AND IS IN LIEU OF ANY AND ALL
OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
WITHOUT LIMITATION THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR PURPOSE.
Product Specifications for products listed below are designed for use for their
specific application. Any other use, unless authorized in writing by the Atwood
Engineering Department, voids this warranty. Original date of purchase of unit
refers to the date the consumer purchases the vehicle from a dealer. Date of
manufacture refers to the date the item was produced by Atwood Mobile
Products.
Ladders – Two (2) years from original date of purchase of unit.
1) This limited warranty is valid only when the product is applied, installed,
maintained and operated in accordance with this Atwood Installation,
Maintenance and Operating Manual. Any deviation from these
recommended specifications must be approved in writing by Atwood.
2) Any implied warranties are limited to the duration of this limited warranty
as stated above. Atwood does not assume responsibility for
consequential damage or loss, including loss of vehicle, loss of time,
inconvenience, expense for gasoline, telephone, travel, lodging, loss or
damage to personal properties, or loss of revenues. Atwood’s maximum
liability shall not exceed the cost of the goods. Some states do not allow
limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or limitations on
consequential damages, so the above limitations may not apply to you.
This limited warranty gives you specific legal rights which may vary from
state to state.