Long term satisfaction: Side-mount ladders?

[Herbie]

I'm looking for some long-term feedback from anyone who has had a side-ladder installed on a van. Specifically: visibility (in mirrors) when on-road?, usefulness?, does it get hung-up on stuff?, hard to use with awnings?, passenger vs. driver side?, etc.? I'm just short enough that standing on the rear tire doesn't get me quite high enough to make loading a roof basket or box easy (especially since I'm "hugging" the van at that point, instead of easily perched on a ladder rung.

Due to the "Dutch door" arrangement on the back of my Astro, a traditional door ladder is more tricky. I have a design sketched up that should let me still have a ladder back there, but I'm thinking I'd rather use the space for more jerry cans, which leaves putting a ladder on the side. With my slider door, it would have to be either a pretty narrow ladder, or maybe even just one or two of those folding steps used on boat masts, although I'd be limited to "below the back window" for those.

I'm also considering a variety of folding ladders that I could stow and even use inside when I finally get my pop-top fitted, but a fixed ladder offers the convenience of always "being there".

Thoughts?

 

[r_w]

There USED to be a slide-out ladder available when astros were a popular workvan. It was made to slide under the roofrack and pull out only when needed. I haven't seen one in quite a while, though.

 

[Topher Walters]

I have the Alumuniess ladder that Sportsmobile uses on their vans. It is mounted on the passenger side near the back of the van. I can barely see it in the mirror and it doesn't block the view. It is powder coated black and I put some "grip tape" on the rungs after I almost took a header off of it with wet shoes. It does not stick out very far and I have never had anything hook it dangerously, but I saw a van at Fresno SMB that got too close to some rocks and tore off the ladder (serious damage).

 

[8850]

I have the Alumuniess ladder that Sportsmobile uses on their vans. It is mounted on the passenger side near the back of the van. I can barely see it in the mirror and it doesn't block the view. It is powder coated black and I put some "grip tape" on the rungs after I almost took a header off of it with wet shoes. It does not stick out very far and I have never had anything hook it dangerously, but I saw a van at Fresno SMB that got too close to some rocks and tore off the ladder (serious damage).

I'm glad to hear about your experience and the idea of grip tape. I just ordered my ladder yesterday and am looking forward to having it and will add the tape.

 

[1leglance]

I have a ladder on the pasngr side of my sportsmobile and love it.
As a below the knee amputee it is still wasy to climb (with grip tape) and I use it often to clean the solar panels.
My kids love it also as they get on the roof rack very freq to hang out.
Aluminess makes a great product!

 

[sin3kal]

I've got a universal aluminum ladder bolted to the driver side of my 2001 cargo van. It is bolted to the sheet metal as well as the roof basket. I haven't noticed any problems with obstructing the mirror. I also run a lot of narrow trails that could potentially snag a branch on the way to trailheads, but aside from some pin stripping from mother nature, haven't hand any issues. The one problem (if you really want to call it a problem) is that the ladder has a low whirring noise from airflow. Not really noticeable (although it is a cargo van, so everything sounds louder to me). Sorry for the crap picture, it was shooting into the sun.

 

[vanderpooch]

maybe something like this:

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/rack/sladder/sladder.htm

there are some other cool ideas on their site that could maybe stimulate some ideas.

John

 

[Stumpalump]

Boat ladders are also good because you can put them where you want to when loading. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/...x?a=441793&kwtid=496034&pm2d=CSE-SPG-5-NEXTAG

 

[billwilson]

ladders

i have a SMB E350 EB
custom aluminess roof rack

DUAL ladders on the rear
VERY happy with them
would not do without them

no problems with visabilty or on/off road

tried the portible ladder, several types on my Westy
Just another piece of stuff to set up, take down, fall off etc
i am good w/ my two fixed ladders