Side ladders

[liquidmonkey]

I apolgize to the moderators if this is in the wrong place. Maybe should be in parts. If there was an "accesories" spot I'd put it there.

I've got a L300, crystal lite roof.

I've searched this site for side mounted ladders to aid in the loading/unloading of kayaks or getting to a cargo box. There was one thread about a side mounting ladder from Amazing Autos but I never seen photos. Another thread by Envriroimports.com showed a side ladder but it looked as though it was attached to a roof basket. The photo was to small for me to see how it was attached and I really don't have any interest in have a roof basket.

What I am envisioning is something that is clamped/welded to frame (or something in under rocker panels) and attached up to the roof somehow. I wouldn't think you'd dare hang anything off the rain gutters? Maybe it could attach somehow to the Thule feet.

Maybe I just continue to strap the 6' aluminum ladder to the roof and use it when I need it?

There has got to be some kayakers out there that are using this van to carry boats an dlive out of at the river.

any thoughts or photos people can share.

Cheers

[BproofOG]

A friend of mine has the side ladder shown in the Enviro Imports post, she likes it but you are right it attaches to the rack and the side of her delica. She raves about it though and even goes up on her roof rack to relax after long bike rides.

I am looking for exactly what you described... I have fishing kayaks and do not want to have to pull a small trailer evertime I go out, especially if I am on a long distance multi-day outing. Please update the board and or send me a PM is you come across something. I was thinking of mounting it as far back as possible and I only have one window that doesn't open so I may place a ladder near there.

I am thinking that this will have to be something custom made, I would like to be able to take it off and store it on/attached the roof rack but have "quick release" bracket to allow for easy on off and maybe even to be able to use it on both sides of the van?

any thoughts?

[shealy]

Im also a kayaker. I have the crystal lite roof, with Thule high towers off the rain gutters (something like 11" tall from the guttersl). I've successfully loaded a 17' ocean kayak on the roof rack by myself but it was definitely a sketchy move. Even with two people it's a stretch to lift the boat all the way up to the top! I don't have a ladder on the back, but even if I did I don't feel like it would be all that much more help. Maybe someone can speak to this? I'd definitely be interested to see any solutions others have or anything someone can come up with!

[nxski]

I've done this with a Christmas tree only but the back ladder is great with 2 people. 1 standing on the bull-bars, the other on the back ladder. The other option is to bring a folding ladder with you, or when I'm taking my Thule box on and off I just stand on the front tire, hold onto the roof rack, pull the box onto my head or shoulder and then jump down.

If you do want a side ladder I'm sure Noel at enviroimports could brainstorm with you.

[foxycanuck]

I put whitewater kayaks on ours (another rack from enviroimports).

We have a small 3 step stepladder in the back and use it to put the boats up. Not too hard solo, but a creek boat is easier to toss around than a sea kayak. With 2 ladders we had no trouble getting six boats up there.

As an alternative, Thule makes a special attachment for sea kayaks for tall roofs. It extends down the side, then you can crank the boat up to the top... pretty slick. Its called a hullavator. A bit pricey, but looks quite effective. A creative type could likely adapt it to fit on a non-thule rack

http://www.thule.com/en-US/CA/Products/ ... Hullavator

[Luisito]

I'd ask Noel at Enviroimports. He's great to deal with and a pretty creative/inventive guy, esp. when it comes to racks and that.

[mdrive]

i have delica original side ladder that rests in to the rain gutter, you can fold away and sore under the seat. i am asking $80 for it.

[mdrive]

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