Page 1 of 1
High Top External Ladder Position
Posted: 31 Jul 2018, 06:54
by maxstu
Im about to fit a rear ladder to my van. Yet do not ever recall seeing a ladder fitted to left side of rear hatch. Always on the off side area instead. Why?
l would guess majority of owners' are right handed? So it make sense to climb ladder, hold with weaker and less dexterous hand and fettle about aloft with better hand. Furthermore left side fitting puts you closer to kerb and in less risk of passing traffic during a roadside emergency.
Your views please before l start drilling
Regards
Stuart
Re: High Top External Ladder Position
Posted: 31 Jul 2018, 07:42
by R0B
I have seen plenty fitted to the left of the rear hatch.
Re: High Top External Ladder Position
Posted: 31 Jul 2018, 07:50
by Ian Hulley
maxstu wrote: Always on the off side area instead. Why?
Because most (if not all ladders) are shaped to fit on the offside. There is no special strengthening on either side to support a ladder plus svelt camper owner anyway although quite how the hell our tailgates actually stay on bearing the weight that they often do is beyond me AND why didn't they make the rest of the van out of the same material !
Re: High Top External Ladder Position
Posted: 31 Jul 2018, 12:45
by maxstu
Really! not noted any difference whether l place ladder on left or right side. I suppose there are umpteen versions out there.
Thanks to both
Re: High Top External Ladder Position
Posted: 08 Aug 2018, 17:57
by maxstu
Got waylaid with this one. My old man of 87 years took a wee tumble on his motorcycle. Minor damage, clutch scrapes and indicator, and dented pride
. Silly old goat refuses to give em up.
Actually, the ladder seems best on near side. Are the mounts countersunk engineering screws only? So l need to drill and tap a thread...doesnt sound very secure for body weight?
Regards
Stuart
Re: High Top External Ladder Position
Posted: 08 Aug 2018, 20:26
by Smcknighty
Rivnuts would be better
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: High Top External Ladder Position
Posted: 08 Aug 2018, 20:30
by maxstu
Smcknighty wrote:Rivnuts would be better
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Righto! Not heard of them before but will google now. Many thanks
Smcknighty
Re: High Top External Ladder Position
Posted: 08 Aug 2018, 20:35
by maxstu
Steel, stainless or ally?
Re: High Top External Ladder Position
Posted: 09 Aug 2018, 06:31
by maxstu
Going stainless and use a rubber pads between ladder and fixing points drilled in paintwork.
Regards
Stuart
Re: High Top External Ladder Position
Posted: 09 Aug 2018, 08:47
by 937carrera
Make sure you rust protect whatever hole you drill, otherwise you know what will happen
Re: High Top External Ladder Position
Posted: 10 Aug 2018, 20:25
by maxstu
937carrera wrote:Make sure you rust protect whatever hole you drill, otherwise you know what will happen