Ladder to get up on top....Std Vans

[MikeRuth]

hey folks this is a problem I'm trying to work out.
Carrying a ladder. Ya know there are times when you just have to have a ladder to get to the roof of your van. 

I'm curious what others have done. 

I have a ladder rack but of course as seen below most of that area is used up. I have 11.5 Inches of free width to work with. And if I do use any of that I would then have to be aware and park so as not to create a shadow on the panels. 

I suppose I could get away with not having one. 

Appreciate you thoughts.

 

[corky52]

With your long and narrow space this looks good!
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/7-double-sided-rung-ladder/20319


The link isn't to the best place to buy, it just has a great video showing how it works!

I've seen several like this ladder in various lengths, so look around.


Corky

 

[GotSmart]

hey folks this is a problem I'm trying to work out.
Carrying a ladder. Ya know there are times when you just have to have a ladder to get to the roof of your van. 

I'm curious what others have done. 

I have a ladder rack but of course as seen below most of that area is used up. I have 11.5 Inches of free width to work with. And if I do use any of that I would then have to be aware and park so as not to create a shadow on the panels. 

I suppose I could get away with not having one. 

Appreciate you thoughts.

I have a door hanging ladder on the back of my van.

 

[One Awesome Inch]

What about stacking milk crates?

 

[LeeRevell]

A standard folding ladder like that one a CW would not work for me. Far too light a weight limit. I am thinking of using a steel tree stand ladder, fastened on top to pivot out, and a sliding bottom section to place on the ground. It would fold snugly against the van rear or side when not in use. I have used tree stands and know it'll take my weight.

 

[MikeRuth]

With your long and narrow space this looks good!
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/7-double-sided-rung-ladder/20319


The link isn't to the best place to buy, it just has a great video showing how it works!

I've seen several like this ladder in various lengths, so look around.


Corky

In a similar type these are light weight and might work for me. 6' is enough. 
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/1/1/98225-cosco-signature-series-6-foot-aluminum-step-ladder.html
and price is reasonable.

But I do appreciate the link. 
Mike

 

[MikeRuth]

I have a door hanging ladder on the back of my van.

Ya know this is of course slick and takes up no space anywhere. But how much of a load can these roof tops take? I'm 250ish and frankly I have always thought that would be to much weight in such a small area, ie one foot. even spread across both feet I worry about damaging the roof. 
 
I mean I would have to get on top of the roof probably on hands and knees to scrub the panel tops. As it is I use a fiber glass 6' ladder and a window washer/squeegee now from each side at home. Another place is in front of the panels, I;d have to actually walk across them to get that area. 

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[corky52]

Mike, 
The ladder you posted isn't like the link I gave you!   Ladder I posted folds to a 5 inch square that is 6 ft long, will fit beside your solar panels with no overlap or shadow.  Watch the video.

Corky

 

[GotSmart]

Ya know this is of course slick and takes up no space anywhere. But how much of a load can these roof tops take? I'm 250ish and frankly I have always thought that would be to much weight in such a small area, ie one foot. even spread across both feet I worry about damaging the roof. 
 
I mean I would have to get on top of the roof probably on hands and knees to scrub the panel tops. As it is I use a fiber glass 6' ladder and a window washer/squeegee now from each side at home. Another place is in front of the panels, I;d have to actually walk across them to get that area. 

I am able to move around on my knees.  With a long handle squeegee I can clean my panels from the side door. It is the roof of a van, not the hood of a Ferrari.  That is a work vehicle, and the ribs can take a full grown man crawling around.

 

[Patrick46]

how 'bout just parking sideways at a loading dock, and using a long handled squeegee to clean the panels.

No ladder needed, and in fact, I'd think you'd be able to see and do a better cleaning job this way too.

 

[MikeRuth]

Patrick I was thinking the same. Already have the long handled Squeegee,.

Now I must apologize to Got Smart I should have looked at that video, DAMN that's cool. and yeah I can easily lash and secure that to the rack./

Thank you

Mike R

 

[GotSmart]

Patrick I was thinking the same. Already have the long handled Squeegee,.

Now I must apologize to Got Smart I should have looked at that video, DAMN that's cool. and yeah I can easily lash and secure that to the rack./

Thank you

Mike R

I think you mean Corky.  That looks really handy!

 

[MikeRuth]

Indeed apologies to Corky, I think I'm still asleep.

Hmmm guess it's time for me to take the plunge and crawl up there, I need to claybar the roof and wax it. I've done the rest of the van recently but I need to pull the panels down and do the whole roof. I was actually thinking of using the rack and putting "walk boards" across the rails to support myself.

Thanks folks.

Mike R

 

[MikeRuth]

Whoa! they make it in a 6' to.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/6-double-sided-ladder/27661

Mike R

 

[corky52]

http://www.amazon.com/GP-Logistics-SLDD7-Compact-Folding/dp/B009IJUL4O

They make a seven foot version as well.

Their advertising sure doesn't show the folding feature very well.

 


Corky

 

[Canine]

How about 1.5 inch pvc pipe with the necessary straight T's?  You don't need to glue them together, can just take it apart and store.  You can make it a bit narrower on the step rails as well.  Just a thought.   The plan pictured below has 90's you don't really need... Just get themed caps for the bottom 2 pieces for the ground.



Otherwise, how often do you need to clean off the panels, 1x or so a month, if that?   A .25 car wash with the "foaming brush" would work fine, just stand on a milk crate.  I'd need a piece of plywood cut to fit the milk crate due to weight but then, I don't worry about the roof anyway.

Dusty

 

[LeeRevell]

That PVC won't likely take our weights.

 

[MikeRuth]

The PVC might be ok in at least 3/4" or larger. But alas I'm sold on the compact fold up ladder previously posted here.

I am concerned with my roof in that it takes the greatest beating from the sun and the gutter seams on Fords have to be looked after.
My van is now 8 years old and small hair link cracks have developed in the seams. That means a place for water and moisture to hide and do it's dirty deed.
I'm ashamed that I haven't gotten to the roof sooner. Once that clear coat goes you have pretty much lost the battle and for a days work, it can be cleaned and protected.

Mike R

 

[Canine]

Should be a way to rv seal the gutter seams and then not have issues...

 

[Canine]

Went to Ford-Trucks.com and typed in gutter seam repair. Several posts, one had step b ystep with pictures. Then below it someone posted this:

Originally Posted by Galendor View Post
So does a leak from this seam leak down "inside" the wall, dripping through a hidden space between outer and inner walls? Where it can't be seen until it rusts from the inside out?

That's exactly what happens.
You will not notice the water pooling at the bottom of the "B" pillar especially if your truck has interior trim mouldings behind the seat.
The "A" pillar seams are prone as well and can mimic a windshield seal leak. (been there done that)
I used 3M All-Around Autobody Sealant #08500 with great success for this type of work. It's paintable and made to seal automotive seams. I've redone the drivers side and the seams on the bed that connected the bedsides to the floor that originally had sealant. It's held up great for over 7 years. It will even seal and fill small drill holes.