Side ladders are stupid: CHANGE MY MIND

[Paddy]

When I had a ladder on the back of my van I thought, well that makes sense. But side ladders seem popular. But why? They seem like they would block vision and get caught on branches. What’s the reasoning there?

 

[Christian P.]

oh gosh I can already picture who is going to answer this for you...

 

[luthj]

For folks with side opening boxes (skis, etc), the side ladder is pretty easy access. My preference would be for a rear mounted platform/box, with rear ladder. Working around the doors can be a pain though.

 

[Bayou Boy]

Ladder at the back looks like a camper. Ladder at the side is way more exposexual.

 

[ujoint]

Rear ladders mounted to doors always screw the doors up eventually. Too much stress on the door/hinges. They also kill space that can be used for other things (spare tire, cargo box, etc) I've had one on my DD for years, don't even notice it.

Aluminess is the only one making an attractive affordable (some may argue that, understandable) ladder that isn't a cheesy conversion van style that mounts to the rear door.

Change you mind??? Probably not! Ha. Put a ladder wherever it works for you

 

[Corneilius]

Love my side ladder for all its other functions too. Makes a great pantry when we are set up, great place to hook dog leashes, store bungee cords etc. Its right next to my barn door table, adds extra "counter space"

 

[ohsix]

I agree. I went from an Aluminess side ladder to custom rear ladder built on Aluminess swingout by MG.

 

[Buliwyf]

I'd weld one onto the tire carrier instead.

There's plenty of times I have to swing my mirrors over, or around something. A side ladder wouldn't last any longer than my side women.

 

[wjeeper]

exposexual

My newest most favorite word! Ha ha ha

I really hate the look of side ladders, cheesy conversion van ladders on the back are a close second!

 

[Paddy]

I don’t see how a rear ladder could ruin any hinges at all, especially if the door sill is making contact with the door bottom pad. I dunno, maybe some vans have weak hinges but the sprinter hinges seem plenty strong. Low profile side ladder that you can deploy would be cool

 

[Corneilius]

Where else do you keep your bloody mary bar?


In regards to damage, I have personally seen Ford van rear doors distort from rear door ladders. They don't attach to the hinges, they attach to the sheetmetal which bends.

 

[BritKLR]

They also keep the badguy from seeing your sniper/observer when going overwatch.

 

[luthj]

I don’t see how a rear ladder could ruin any hinges at all, especially if the door sill is making contact with the door bottom pad. I dunno, maybe some vans have weak hinges but the sprinter hinges seem plenty strong. Low profile side ladder that you can deploy would be cool

The sprinter hinges and body attach points are quite robust (they need to be with 270 degree doors). My 70lb spare tire has been mounted there for quite a while.

Anything waist height or below that sticks out on my van would probably have gotten smashed a few times...

 

[deserteagle56]

A side ladder would not live very long on my van. Too often by the time I'm where I want to camp the trees and tall brush have folded the mirrors against the doors and the sides of the van look like this.

 

[Paddy]

Well the Bloody Mary bar is quite cool. But if it’s been raked off by the miles of brush then that’s not going to be good for momma.