Rear hatch ladder search

I have the Sherpa Crestone and plan to get the WD ladder in the near future. Did you upgrade your struts or are you running the stock struts on the rear hatch? Any issues?

 

I went with the Wescott ladder. I'm 200+ and can't afford to mess up once up there. The other ones look a little weak to me.

 

Those Westcott ladders do look really nice and more functional than the Gobi I have. I wasn't going to get the ladder but it came with the rack.

Wonder if the Westcott will clear the Gobi when hatch is open? If so, I may have to change out in the future

 

Buying 500 dollar ladders you cant actually step on?

 

You will definitely want to upgrade your struts with the WD ladder.

 

All depends on what one wants. Functionality vs. Looks. I see plenty around town where the build quality is very poor and have rust spots all over.

 

Are RTT the reason you guys are climbing the ladder? I haven't found a need to be on top of roof on rack. For my use case it's handy using it as handles and support loading and unloading rack.

Flat top RSG sliders and bumper with ladder work great for me and everything I need but get it everyone has a different use case what they are doing.

I typically am the one that wants to over engineer going far stronger than needed. Ladder I just haven't found the need for what I am using it for. This is the reason I upgraded to DOM on sliders.

 

I think this is powder coating problems which depending where you live rust is a concern. Going aluminum instead of steel would be a decision maker if I lived in a area known for rust. But powder coating problems can happen anywhere you live.

WD is aluminum and I have seen their video driving the truck on it which is impressive. I noticed they require drilling for mounting and don't list a weight limit. Is this implying the ladder and rear door can handle any weight limit of person on it?

 

Bajarack says their ladder can have unlimited weight but Toyota says no more than 200 lbs. limit on rear hatch. Think of the ladder like the hood scoop. Looks badass, doesn't do much lol.

 

I really like it when on the rear having gear loaded to roof rack. Allows me to load solo grabbing ladder jumping up onto hitch step or bumper swinging stuff up onto roof. I could get it done with a temporary hand strap or something.

Easiest though is to be on bumper and my wife handing me the gear while I am already on the bumper holding on to roof rack rails for support with 1 hand.

I wanted a basket style rack which is what I am holding onto while swinging gear up and down. The lower profile racks this seems less feasible. I am curious how this works what people are holding onto but maybe there is more to hold onto or secure straps with hooks than it looks like.

 

I ended up upgrading the struts on the hatch because the WD ladder was just too heavy for it. But...but one of the functionalities of the ladder is that you can mount things on it. I put a set of rotopax and a trash bag and secured them well and had no issues. Granted I could have put all of this on top but another thing here and there. Just sharing.

 

Picked up one of these. Works great to get me up there to tie or untie stuff.

$36 TOOENJOY Universal Fit Car Door Step, Foldable Roof Rack Door Step Up on Door Latch, Both Feet Stand Pedal Ladder, Easy Access to Rooftop for Most Car, SUV, Truck, Max Load 400 lbs(Orange

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08X6PR2NN?ie=UTF8

 

I really like the look of it but when I saw how much a ladder goes for I decided against. Trying to get ready for a lift and dropping 3k plus

 

Tried to install the Bajarack today BUT the bottom bracket is about 1/4" away from fitting into the ladder. Anyone install one give me a tip. I could bolt it up and bring the 2 pieces together but with less than 1k miles on my 4R I do not want to bend/scratch/tweek anything making it fit. Anyone?

 

It's been long time since I did this install. If I remember correctly the pieces do all seat when tightened. Not sure if pic helps

 

Added this smittybuilt hitch step. This as step, ladder to grab works great. Doubt I will leave it in other than loading and unloading though.

 

Is it easy to step up on without a handhold? I can step directly onto the bumper, but I need the window down to it. I've wondered whether I could step up on this part without opening the window.

 

I think it depends on each person's height and step. For me to go directly up to bumper requires grabbing or more of a hop. I can step easily with nothing to grab step onto the receiver hitch step.

 

Was looking for a vehicle ladder meme because, why not? Apparently this is popular to say about the Gobi

 

Lol, thanks, my neighbors would get a thrill outa watching that!