Ladders

Post pics of your ladders & brand.

I’ll start with some questions as I don’t have one yet.

Is drilling that bad?

Is the ladder too heavy for the tailgate lift hydraulic arms? Anyone upgrade those?

Anyone had problems with their ladder mod?

thanks

 

Gobi doesn’t require any drilling, I don’t think any ladders do. Tailgate struggles a little but if you help it up it’ll hold position at the top.

 

I have a Bajarack ladder. No drilling, either.

As @Mtbpsych said, the struts hold it if you help it up. But, there are struts recommended. I don't believe they were too expensive.

Edit:. Sorry, no pics. I had it installed for about 10 minutes after I bought it and then I took it off. It's been sitting in my garage since then. I guess I should probably sell it.

 

Ladders

Ended up being prominently listed on the thread

Things you hate to see on a 4Runner


Just sayin...

 

If the ladder hater group don't use ladders, how do they get on the roof? Or are the ladder haters a subgroup of the non-roof treaders?

 

Anyone knows a ladder that is fairly easy to remove and put back?
(it’s fine if there’s a few bolts to screw/unscrew)

ideally I’d like to put on the ladder only on weekends when I go camping

 

The Baja rack ladder was pretty easy to put on and take off. I'd say 5 to 10 minutes tops

 

Most of the guys I go wheeling with use their ladders just to mount ROTOPAX on. I would be more incline to get a latter just for that purpose if it easy to get on and off. Getting the ROTOPAX off the roof is a pain in the butt.

I just don't want to be driving around with that thing while I'm mall crawling...

 

Agree, ladders would be good for mounting various light things.

But I’m skeptical of the ladders that are mounted and hanging on the hatch if used for actual climbing or mounting gas cans. Unless, the ladder somehow can be designed to pass the weight down to the metal of the bumper crossmember, I wouldnt personally risk possible damage to the hatch hinges or the latch.

 

The ladder haters group are actually repressed ladder lovers. We should be pitied. That said, I am considering a business venture…high fidelity ladder stickers. Hopefully nobody will steal my idea.

I’m too heavy to climb on my roof anyway. And if I could get up there, I’m not sure I’d l’d know what to do. I usually just step on my sliders, rear tire, or door sills to access the roof.

 

Subgroup of the roof rack haters? I don't know, I just saw it there...

Something like this always seemed a lot more useful than a ladder bolted on to the lift gate, though, as it could be used from 3 sides, can be brought along or left at home when not needed, and doesn't require beefing up the lift gate struts:

BIVATIA 8.5 Ft Smartsafe Aluminum Telescoping Ladder: Telescopic Extension Ladder Retraction Collapsible Ladder Portable Folding Lightweight Ladder Type 1A with 12 ft Max Reach Sliver

https://www.amazon.com/Bivatia-Smartsafe-Aluminum-Telescoping-Ladder/dp/B096ZVCRC8?content-id=amzn1.sym.a1dd6248-8b51-4ef7-9dfb-d3cf41015b4b%3Aamzn1.sym.a1dd6248-8b51-4ef7-9dfb-d3cf41015b4b&crid=14BES5ZOO7ZPB&cv_ct_cx=telescoping+rv+ladder&keywords=telescoping+rv+ladder&pd_rd_i=B096ZVCRC8&pd_rd_r=560a254f-8db4-4aa8-8281-7ade0b365c9a&pd_rd_w=9AczJ&pd_rd_wg=gpNAF&pf_rd_p=a1dd6248-8b51-4ef7-9dfb-d3cf41015b4b&pf_rd_r=92D2PW4A7E6NKH65EDVS&qid=1655053181&sprefix=telescoping+RV%2Caps%2C122&sr=1-1-a73d1c8c-2fd2-4f19-aa41-2df022bcb241-spons

IMO.

 

I don't think it would be an issue. I haven't read about it at all. Those hinges are strong enough to keep the hatch from flying off in an accident, which is probably a lot more force than a guy climbing on it.

I do agree that they're probably more useful for hanging stuff on than climbing. The Bajarack one is only far enough from the hatch to put my toes on.

I was thinking about trying something like that.

 

Hey there,

I have a C4 (v1) ladder I bought awhile back. I have an Uptop Overland Bravo rack as well.

It's a non drill. For me, I don't trust myself making clean enough holes. But, I dont mind drilling. In fact, the C4 v2 ladder is a must-drill and I would buy it in a heartbeat.

I upgraded my struts because my hatch became too heavy for my wife, and let's just say I like her happy. They were 35 from Strutdepot, an actual business.

I wouldn't take it off unless I was selling it or I needed to fix it.

I use it because I have a storage bag for all of the clothes, sleeping bags etc. on the roof and for mounting things to the rear. My son loves standing on the rack and honestly, that's worth at least half the price. We all justify our spend somehow

 

I have one of those telescoping ladders. They must be kept scrupulously clean if they are to remain working. And then there’s the issue of leaning it up against a painted surface.

For those intrepid folks willing to drill into the hatch, setting a half-dozen rivnuts would make the ladder easily removable.

Okay. My third and final edit: I think some types of roof racks favor the aesthetic of a ladder more than others — I feel that ladders look more at home on vehicles with basket style racks like the Gobi or the Rola than with the flat-top Erector Set racks.

 

I have a hitch step to access roof rack, and nfab nerf bars.

 

Just tossing ideas around.

1. hitch mounted ladder. Easily made by modifying a hitch mounted bicycle carrier. 4runGirl’s hitch step gave me the idea.

2. imagine a ladder that parallelograms open and closed. When closed it makes a long narrow package, and attaches to one side of the roof rack, like an awning. Undo a fastener at one end and the ladder swings down from a pivot point on the other end, and opens up. The feet of the ladder adjust like tripod legs to account for uneven ground.

 

Maybe I'm just a weirdo then and like climbing all over my roof.

 

how much?

 

The new C4 ladder requires drilling, they claim it's the most robust because of this though. I've always used my sliders to access the roof, never needed a ladder.

 

I don't remember how much it was. It's probably not worth it, though, when you add the cost of shipping from WI. Even with it costing less due to being used, the shipping might eat up a lot of the savings.

 

Wish I have a SH** what ladder haters thought but I don't so....

 

good point. i dont really need one, but i was curious.

 

Haha! I guess I didn't really need one, either. I ordered it on a whim, back when I thought I had extra money.

 

I like ours. We used it a lot when we had the RTT. Now, mostly our 7 year old just gets on top of the Runner all the time. Ours didn't cause any issue with the stock lift arms. It is a bit sluggish but it stays up fine (it is always in the back of your mind though)

 

I just received a C4 ladder but didn’t get instruction. The C4 YouTube video has a different bottom attachment, mine looks like a no drill compression type. Everything else is exactly the same. I sent a message to 4 runner lifestyle but haven’t gotten a response.

 

Yo just reach out to c4. They're phenomenal.

 

Contact Wes, he'll get you squared away. 605-720-6351

 

I figured it out, super easy compression bracket. Easy install. I added some vinyl tape anywhere I thought there might be metal touching paint.

The one I got seems to be the no drill version. Hooks on the top, sticky tape which is not really needed except for avoid metal on paint. Bottom is a compression fitting, no drill. The whole thing is in a bind after install, so it’s super sturdy, I’m 175 lbs, doesn’t budge. I agree it’s flush with the truck so step depth is not great but I added two side steps and that makes it great. Easy to get gear up there and wash the nasty off. Clears 2021 TRD stock roof rack by 1/4 inch, doors is actually perfectly balanced with the extra weight. That’s at 88 degrees so might be different in the winter. Actually easier to close because you have something exterior to grab. I really like the look and function,might be better if I paint the stainless bolts a similar color.
I would buy this again.

 

Wescott designs ladder. Heavy as hell.....but what can I say...I am heavy too. Look at that bottle opener...I use that more I think .

Had to upgrade the shocks though because I was slamming the door too much and just got tired of it coming down so hard. The upgrade on the schocks works really well.

 

I have the Bajarack. Mainly purchased because there was a used one for sale on eBay for cheap and I needed a place to mount my license plate without drilling more holes into my rear hatch