Atwood MHL2241 User manual

LITERATURE NUMBER 297-333465
Universal Hinged Ladder for
Recreational Vehicle
Model # MHL2241
This Universal Hinged 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:
• Die Cast Hinge: Quantity 2
• Triangular Mounting Bracket: Quantity 2
• #10-24x1-1/2” Pan-head Machine Screw:
Quantity 8
• #10-24 Nut, Nylon Self-locking: Quantity 8
• 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)
• 7/16” Hex Driver (wrench/socket/nut driver)
• 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
Hinged 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
Hinged 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 Hinged 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 Hinged Ladder to your
RV.
WARNING
MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH
The Universal Hinged Ladder is intended to be a
permanent fixture. The Universal Hinged 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 bolt until snug to surface. Be careful not to
over-tighten the bolt or tube 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 to 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 below
the rear wall bend 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, place the lower
portion of the ladder on the lower portion of the rear wall
and align the pads with the backer area. Now adjust the
angle of the lower ladder portion to be as near parallel to
the lower rear wall as possible. Place a loose standoff
assembly between the rear wall and the lower ladder
section to maintain proper spacing from the rear wall.
When viewed from the side, the upper ladder rails
should intersect the lower ladder rails.
Measure the distance from the top of the top step on the
lower ladder portion to a point ¾” below where the tubes
intersect. Mark the lower rails at this location. This is
the lower rail measurement.
Subtract the lower rail measurement from 9-5/8”. The
difference is the upper rail measurement. Identify the
upper ladder step that is just above the tube intersection
location. Mark the upper rail measurement distance
from the bottom of this step on onto the upper rail. If the
mark ends up at or above the tube intersection location,
that mark is too short and should be disregarded. A new
mark should be made ¾” above the tube intersection
location.

If the mark ends up below the tube intersection location,
then the handles will need to be modified. To determine
the handle measurement, measure the distance from
bottom of the upper rail step to the tube intersection
location. Subtract this distance from the upper rail
measurement, and then add ¾” to the difference. This is
the handle measurement.
Once the handle measurement 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 16-18in-lbs until
snug to surface (see Diagram #7). Be careful not to
over-tighten the bolt or tube may be crushed.
Using a hacksaw or tube cutter, remove the ends of the
upper ladder section at the mark on each rail. Insert the
bolt-leaf end of a die cast hinge into one rail of the upper
ladder section. Turn the hinge until the hinge-nut
surface is facing outside (away from the other upper
ladder section rail) and drill a 13/64” hole through the rail
and hinge end approximately 1/2” from the rail end (it
may be easier to pre-drill a starter hole through the rail
before inserting and drilling the hinge.) 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 #8).
Be careful not to over-tighten the bolt or tube may be

crushed. Repeat procedure for other upper ladder
section rail.
Using a hacksaw or tube cutter, remove the ends of the
lower ladder section at the mark on each rail. Insert the
respective nut-leaf ends of the die cast hinges installed
on the upper ladder section into each rail of the lower
ladder section. Drill a 13/64” hole through the rail and
hinge end approximately 1/2” from the rail end (it may be
easier to pre-drill a starter hole through the rail before
inserting and drilling the hinge.) 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 #9). Be
careful not to over-tighten the bolt or tube may be
crushed. Repeat procedure for other upper ladder
section rail. Do not tighten the hinge bolt at this time.
The hinge must be able to flex while being mounted to
prevent binding in the ladder.
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. 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, and then 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-lbs until snug to surface (see Diagram #10). 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.
How to mount the ladder to your RV…
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.

Working down the back wall, secure the upper pair of
standoffs and then secure the lower pair of standoffs to
the rear wall. Once all standoffs are secured, secure the
base pads of the ladder to the rear wall.
WARNING
MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH
Failure to properly secure the Universal Hinged Ladder
to the vehicle may cause damage or injury. Always
verify that the Universal Hinged Ladder is securely
fastened to the vehicle when installed for use on the
vehicle.
Now that the ladder is secured to the RV, tighten each
hinge bolt to 48 in-lbs to restrict movement in the hinge
and hold the ladder in its current position (see Diagram
#11).
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 Hinged 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 Hinged 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 Hinged 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 Hinged
Ladder is not designed to withstand excessive force in
any direction.

MAINTENANCE
The Universal Hinged Ladder is made from durable
materials and is intended for outdoor use. However,
minor maintenance may be required periodically.
The Universal Hinged 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 Hinged Ladder if any
fasteners are damaged, broken or missing.
Periodically inspect the Universal Hinged Ladder tubing
and components for any damage, cracks or broken
pieces. Replace the Universal Hinged Ladder if
damaged, cracked or broken. Do not use Universal
Hinged Ladder if any components are damaged, broken
or missing.
The Universal Hinged Ladder is intended to be a
permanent fixture. When vehicle is in storage or parked
for extended periods, the Universal Hinged Ladder
should be covered as minimizing the Universal Hinged
Ladder components’ exposure to the elements or other
hazards will prolong the life of the Universal Hinged
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) year 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.