EDIT: Ladders and Racks

[asorensen]

Is there still a demand for ladders?

I am thinking of spending my summer doing some fabricating and I thought of putting together ladders if there was a demand.

If so what style do people like? My ladder came with the van and I am not necessarily sold on the design.

Is the appeal of the Terzo ladder the mounting system and low profile?



How about the ladders that have the wider mid point:




Or the one that is has the little jog in it:





I was also thinking of doing a couple of racks if there was interest:
Here is a picture of mine:




If anyone has any thoughts or would like a ladder or rack feel free to post or PM.

Andy

[JMK]

I still need a ladder.

The one with the jog looks like it would be easier to perch on while you manhandle things in the basket.

Further to that, I was looking at that picture and it seemed like at the very top where it makes a 90 degree curve, it would be nice if the space between the top step and the door was filled with mesh making it into a bit of a shelf so when you are taking something heavy out of the basket, or taking it up the ladder, you could perch it on the top just after you have taken it out of the basket or just before you put it in - while you are negotiating the ladder rungs.

Also, as the ladder would be the break point for my feeble door lifters, perhaps an eyelet somewhere where you could attach a support strap between the basket and the ladder to hold the door up would come in handy, especially when cooking under the door and you've hung a tarp from it in bad weather, or when the door is weighted with snow and ice. At the moment I use one of our telescoping aluminum tarp poles for that job when camping.

Another thought, a couple of small attachments and you could probably also use it to vertically mount 2 pairs of skis.

[TAIT]

I would be quite interested in both rack and ladder! I'm partial to almost any design, as it beats what i have now...NOTHING!

Any idea on what price point you'd be looking at, as well as time frame?

Cheers!

Chris

[kpdelica]

I would like to buy both a ladder and a roof rack. If you could post an idea on prices that would be great.

[Hankster]

Andys work is exceptional ! If i were in the market for a rack or ladder I would be all over this offer.

[asorensen]

Alright guys. Thanks for the input so far. Thanks for the plug Hankster The pic will be helpful


JMK I would tend to think that the wider ladder might be a bit more functional for really spending a bunch of time on
but maybe that is what you meant!
Just to be sure This one?


I like the idea of having something at the top to support items while transferring them to the rack or vice versa.


Is there more interest for a High Roof model or are there people who would like a low roof model?



In terms of time frame this is a way for me to keep my summer busy, as I am a teacher.
So ladders will probably be available (assuming all goes well) starting in late June.
I would be able to continue making these, assuming there was interest, after school returns in September.


The racks would be available July and August and I wouldn't continue making more of them after the summer except by special order.


I will be taking a trip to my metal supplier tomorrow after that point I can give everyone a much better idea of prices.

Andy

[bryanc]

I would definetly be interested in a ladder of a low roof.
Thanks , Bryan

[Erebus]

Just to be sure This one?


Andy,

Thanks for taking this on. I really need my own ladder so I can return Green1's Terzo.

I too like the idea of having something at the top to support items while transferring them to the rack or vice versa.

I think JMK was referring to the other one, but I like this pictured one. I also love the idea of the shelf, but make sure it is mesh, not solid, so snow won't stay on it as much. One change I'd like to see: fatter tubing. Right now I'm using Green1's Terzo, and have gotten used to the fat tubes, easy to grab.

Possible downside to the zigzag ladder (the other one you posted the photo of): it could flex with weight on it. It looks like much lighter duty than the Terzo or the one I like. I seem to be going up and down the ladder a lot, so I do want a sturdy one.

Make sure there is enough space between the ladder and the window for squeegees so you can clean the window.

Something to think about, not sure if it is easy or even possible: to have the tops of the rungs flat, or flattened some rather than round. Makes for better footing. Ya, grit tape helps too.

Another thing I like about this ladder is that one rung is right at the top of the window, the next is in the middle, and the third is right at the bottom of the window. So there is only 1 rung in the window area to obstruct vision, not that it seems to be an issue with the Terzo.

I have a CrystalLite roof, with rack. Very, very definitely interested.

Rack I don't need since I already have a huge one. But I do like yours.

My 2.5 cents worth.

[freeheelsteve]

Hi Andy,

I like the ladder above, same as Erebus. I also think slightly bigger diameter tubing would be great. Mine is for a highroof crystal lite. I am serious about ordering one. What would be the cost do you think?

cheers,
Steve

[TAIT]

Just to add...I also have a crystal lite roof, so the rack would need to take that into account. As for ladder design, truly not that picky, although i did see one that had enough of a curve that it pretty much eliminated the view obstruction from the rear window.

Anyway, looking forward to those price quotes...

Chris

[TAIT]

Okay, just doing some searching on a rack/ladder combo that seemed not only 'beefy' but sweet as well...and this was always one that caught my eye:

http://www.delica.ca/forum/super-exceed ... -3212.html

Again, just a thought.

Chris

[Erebus]

Okay, just doing some searching on a rack/ladder combo that seemed not only 'beefy' but sweet as wel

Although the ladder has no markings, it sure looks like a Terzo. I certainly wouldn't have any objections to a Terzo imitation.

[JMK]

I did mean the curved one as suggested by Erebus, but I do see your point about the wider point making it easier to spend time on.

I guess what I liked about the curve in addition to the extra space between the door and the ladder was to my mind if you were standing on the curved part you could lean your body forward a bit, thus keeping your center of gravity over your feet (much like a skier), when you are balancing a load on your arms. Would it be possible to combine both concepts of a wider bulge in the ladder with a slight mid point curve while retaining strength perhaps?

We have a number of mesh steps at work and while they still accumulate ice and snow, one of their advantages is they do not allow water to pool (and breed mosquitoes that carry east-Deli virus), (and later freeze), and of course they allow air to pass through more efficiently should aerodynamics become a factor.

Shipping ladders from Port McNeil? I suppose that these days it doesn't really matter where you're located in terms of the shipping rates.

[Bessie the Mud Slayer]

Very interested in a ladder as well. I like all of the ones shown, and in fact I'm not very particular. If i had to choose I'd say the very first one pictured, for a crystal lite roof model.

[riddlewalker]

hey...i am also in the market for both a ladder and rack. i have searched high and low and almost had one lined up but i think the dude sold it from under my feet...oh well, such is life. which is why i am ecstatic that you are taking this project on. a general estimate on the the total cost would be cool. also, i live in dease lake, bc and won't be able to make it down until sometime in the summer but will have a limited window of opportunity to pick it up...anyways, let me know as i am extremely interested...

thanks again, colin

oh yeah, i am also a huge fan of the rack and ladder that TAIT posted....they look very cool.