The TARDIS - A Four Wheel Camper Build
- Thread starter Overland Hadley
- Start date
Every Miles A Memory
Expedition Leader
For how light and compact you like to keep everything, after looking around for various options, I agree that this would probably be your best option. You could store it up and under the overhang like you have the other things stored if you have enough room. Or keep it inside to keep the sliding mechanism clean and free of debris which is the only downside I see to this type of ladder
What about attaching mast steps or other flip down steps around the perimeter of the camper? FWC markets them as their flip down wall steps. That is my plan that will probably happen this summer. The steps are out of the way unless needed. If you spaced them apart a few feet you could easily stand with your feet on them to brush off snow. Also, they can be used as hooks to hang items to dry outside and you can string up clothesline between them.
rotti
Adventurer
Over on WTW they are using hand crank speaker jacks to raise and lower the roof when carrying canoes and other heavy gear:
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/8026-is-this-the-crank-up-jack-i-need/?hl=%2Bspeaker+%2Bjack
About $89 on Amazon or Guitar Center:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/On-Stage-Stands-SS8800B--Power-Crank-Up-Speaker-Stand-103242418-i1170318.gc
I have been thinking about one these for awhile now.
Your experience with the snow load may push me in that direction.
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/8026-is-this-the-crank-up-jack-i-need/?hl=%2Bspeaker+%2Bjack
About $89 on Amazon or Guitar Center:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/On-Stage-Stands-SS8800B--Power-Crank-Up-Speaker-Stand-103242418-i1170318.gc
I have been thinking about one these for awhile now.
Your experience with the snow load may push me in that direction.
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Removable light weight step:
I haven't seen one in years, but someone used to make a single step that had curves that looped over the tire in a hook shape. The ones I saw the "hooks" were tubing- you could home make out of pipe aluminum. If there is room behind both front and rear tires the two looping over the tire pipes (big upside down hooks) can come togather in the middle behind the tire after a 90 degree bend on each of the two hooks to meet horizontally (lower better-as space allows on the most restrictive of the four tires). The front/step braces against the tire (depending on width of step/platform, might need additional width to span over wheel on tire). You'd probably want to make this step a small platform with room for both feet.
This one step could be used consecutively on each of the four tires to access and clean the snow off the top/roof with a long handled tool.
Your being tall would help this idea work.
If you are camping in snow country when snow might fall, a T brace of the roof on the inside to share the load might be a good preventive measure. Obviously you don't want to "spring" your roof to a permanent concave structure. Wet snow can weigh a LOT!.... As you well know from this experience!
Great thread! I just found it and read it all in the last few days.
If my above description is lacking, pm me and I'll call you and try to explain better in person.
Not as versatile as a ladder, but small and light, and would allow 4 point access to the top.
I haven't seen one in years, but someone used to make a single step that had curves that looped over the tire in a hook shape. The ones I saw the "hooks" were tubing- you could home make out of pipe aluminum. If there is room behind both front and rear tires the two looping over the tire pipes (big upside down hooks) can come togather in the middle behind the tire after a 90 degree bend on each of the two hooks to meet horizontally (lower better-as space allows on the most restrictive of the four tires). The front/step braces against the tire (depending on width of step/platform, might need additional width to span over wheel on tire). You'd probably want to make this step a small platform with room for both feet.
This one step could be used consecutively on each of the four tires to access and clean the snow off the top/roof with a long handled tool.
Your being tall would help this idea work.
If you are camping in snow country when snow might fall, a T brace of the roof on the inside to share the load might be a good preventive measure. Obviously you don't want to "spring" your roof to a permanent concave structure. Wet snow can weigh a LOT!.... As you well know from this experience!
Great thread! I just found it and read it all in the last few days.
If my above description is lacking, pm me and I'll call you and try to explain better in person.
Not as versatile as a ladder, but small and light, and would allow 4 point access to the top.
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Hopeless Diamond
Explorer
You mean something like this?
http://www.prolineracks.com/proline-car-tire-step-200.html
Not sure if this is the exact one I have but it sure does come in handy and works well
http://www.prolineracks.com/proline-car-tire-step-200.html
Not sure if this is the exact one I have but it sure does come in handy and works well
Long handled tool for snow removal. One of many options.
This is designed for the job while being gentle on the top surface (their claim):
http://www.snohoe.com/
This is designed for the job while being gentle on the top surface (their claim):
http://www.snohoe.com/
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Thanks for all the info.
I have not had a chance to look over all the links, but I should be able to once things slow down in the next couple days.
Thanks again guys!
I have not had a chance to look over all the links, but I should be able to once things slow down in the next couple days.
Thanks again guys!
Snow hoe looks interesting. I was going to suggest a snow rake (which just has a longer reach because it's designed for houses). I used to carry a snow rake around but we recently realized it's missing a piece so it wouldn't have done any good.
Your story is making me reconsider going without... although I do have a speaker crank.
If you have a hatch without the Fantastic Fan installed, you can pop off the screen and get your head and an arm out to push some snow around with your plain-old windshield scraper. You won't clear the whole roof but you can probably get rid of some weight.
Your story is making me reconsider going without... although I do have a speaker crank.
If you have a hatch without the Fantastic Fan installed, you can pop off the screen and get your head and an arm out to push some snow around with your plain-old windshield scraper. You won't clear the whole roof but you can probably get rid of some weight.
Overland Hadley
on a journey
A good way to remove snow from the roof is with a Sno Brum or Sno Maxx. No chance of damaging the roof.
Best place to buy seems to be ebay.
Best place to buy seems to be ebay.
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Fantastic! An aluminum "stick" ladder! (Get it, fanta-stick. ha ha. Sorry, I need to go to bed before I digress any further.)
That is just what I have been looking for, and could not find.
THANK YOU! What a great first post.....
Walmart carries a similar item. bought one last fall. http://www.walmart.com/search/searc...ry=sno+brum&Find=Find&search_constraint=91083
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Thanks for the links Craig. That is what I originally had in mind, but was not able to find small ones in that size range. I am going to try the stick step ladder, but if that does not work I might end up getting one of these.