RTT Ladder Padding

[surferdude78]

Looks like Tepui has the issue covered.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/53442-Tepui-Tent-RTT/page37

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: I have the new TEPUI ladder and although the rungs are smooth/coated/w rounded edges-it's still a little uncomfortable using, so

I wrapped the normally used rungs with 1" Black Nylon strap-doesn't hog any foldup space and feels OK !

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[Mike S]

Mike, my ladder with the James Baroud i think is the same kind of ladder the Autohome/Maggiolina tents use. It's a two piece extending ladder.

I thought that all the talk about hurting your feet was rubbish until i camped in mine this summer a lot and got in and out barefooted. It really did hurt like hell.

I don't think the rope trick will work on these types of ladders or else they probably won't have the clearance to slide closed because of the rope. Just a guess.

The Baroud ladders are similar to ours, but I am not sure they are the same. Ours have a flat, textured surface more than an inch wide, and are rounded on the edges. They are about as comfortable as a collapsable metal ladder can be made, but many people require more comfort. Fixing sticky back foam or a strip of carpet to the top of the ladder rungs is a fix many find acceptable.

I just use a pair of rubber soled slip ons. No big deal, and really nice if the ground is rocky of muddy.

 

[Yarjammer]

Have any of you tried simply filing down the edges and smoothing it up with a coarse Scotch-Brite pad? I'll probably do the above in conjuction with some paracord wrap for added comfort when I pick up my RTT in the next month or so. Being that I'm not springing for a premiuim RTT, I assume I'll have to deal with this.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: I used 1" nylon strap and it has good grip and is pretty easy on the feet !

Short on the tongue

Long on the ground

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[brentbba]

Update on the pipe insulation - found some 2-3" wide burlap rolls at Hobby Lobby. Double wrapped the ladder rungs with the pipe insulation on and then taped off each end to secure the burlap wrap. Worked great this past weekend - sorry didn't take a pic! The pipe insulation on one of the more used lower rungs had ripped, but was still usable. Padding from the pipe insulation should how hold up just fine with the burlap tape wrap.

 

[Im4duke]

I like the rope solution. But, anyone slit a garden hose lengthwise and tape it down on the ends?

 

[vegasjeepguy]

I like the rope solution.

I was thinking about this too but haven't tried it.

 

[Charlie56]

Today I filled the rills in with 3m Bondo and sanded it smooth. Now I have pink striped rungs. The home barefoot test feels much better. We shall see how it holds up.

 

[brentbba]

Today I filled the rills in with 3m Bondo and sanded it smooth. Now I have pink striped rungs. The home barefoot test feels much better. We shall see how it holds up.

Now this will require a picture!

Update on my burlap wrap - holding up nicely thru several trips. Will try to remember to snap a pic when I'm out at the end of February and post it.

 

[brentbba]

Finally took a pic of what I described to the ladder rungs. Pipe insulation wrapped with burlap.

 

[Charlie56]

Now this will require a picture!

Update on my burlap wrap - holding up nicely thru several trips. Will try to remember to snap a pic when I'm out at the end of February and post it.

I wanted to make sure that the bondo-mod would hold up over time. We just returned from a 2,500 mile expedition and the fix held up great even with a lot of bumping around in the back of the vehicle.


Also, The ladder had no physical way of attaching to the vehicle, so I fabricated up a simple device to catch the legs of the ladder out of aluminum flat-stock. Works great. Now it is much safer to use the ladder on uneven ground.