Tamangel,
Good eye! In regards to mounting the trailer unit on barkwards, there is a reason for the madness. The early trailers had both ends of the unit not vertical, but angled (see pics). In order to get the unit close to the cab I had to cut the trailer end off and rebuild the end to better fit the truck, and to be able to bring the trailer unit as far forward as possible. The front of the trailer was way to hard the redo, also the front round end would better suit the 45 angle fitting to the bed of the truck at the rear. The now near vertical rear end fits nice behind the cab. So.......backwards!
I have made a crew ladder ( sorry no pic ), but there is a pic of a 7' step ladder next to the truck. The ramps that cover the door are really traction ramps to be removed by pulling a pin for sand/ snow/mud whatever. They also serve to secure the door, also the camper unit can not be deployed while they are in place. When they are lowered out to the side it makes a good plateform to get in and out with. I call it my divingboard.