Ladder to get on roof

Hey TW,

Not sure I put this under the right forum but here goes anyways...

I've got a DC SB 2011 with a Pelfreybilt roof rack over the cab. I've got a Frontrunner rack over the canopy where I put my RTT so that's pretty much maxed out for space/attachments. I find it useful to be able to climb up on the roof of the cab to get at my emergency kits/supplies and to help zip up the RTT. The problem is, jumping back down, I'm scuffing up my doors pretty good when I'm not careful (obvious solution is to be more careful).

My thoughts: Landrovers and even 4runners have/can get a ladder off the tailgate that they can use to climb up on the roof. There are also steps you can attach onto a spare tire off the back if you've got one but I'm looking for access directly to the roof of the cab. I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of a drop down ladder coming down the passenger side either attaching to the door itself or else clamping onto a roof rack/rock sliders? I've got some ideas on how I want to do this but figure I'd see if anyone's got any leads/ideas before I go nuts and start fabricating something to suit my needs.

Thanks!

 

Pics of your setup would help give more educated opinions.

 

Good suggestion. Thanks. I'll take some and upload after work today.

 

I too would be interested to see if anyone could execute this one properly...

 

Nothing? I was hoping...

 

Yea I've been searching the interwebs since and I've found a few examples but nothing specifically build for Tacomas. I found one that was custom built into a runner/slider and roof rack on a Mazda pickup. Rhino Rack does one that folds up and attaches onto the roof rack with another support that's supposed to sit on the rear tire. All these were just found by searching roof rack ladder. The problem with these setups and the ones I mentioned from before (including spare tire steps, tailgate ladders, etc.) is that my stuff is in the basket over the cab and with a short bed, my RTT takes up the entire back rack sooooo I wouldn't be able to attach anything onto the back rack and actually be usable. I've picked up a wire fed flux core welder on sale and might be experimenting with welding shortly! Also we have a local fabricator that specializes in aluminum so I might cop out and use him instead. Either way, doesn't look like there's a product out there specifically for what my needs are. Boo.

 

I just finished making my roof rack. Waiting for the Thule bolts in the mail now. Should be Saturday. I am hoping to also make something like this, since there is nothing specific for Tacos.

 

Nice! I'll be waiting until the spring before starting work on the ladder but definitely have some ideas for where to put it and how to attach it. Will post when I get something more concrete. Doubtful I'd be able to market it as it'll be quite specific to my build...and my build's a bit of a Frankenstein. Seems like people are rolling in enough dough nowadays to get top of the line everything =S. On Instagram anyways...

 

I know right. I can't afford $600+ for a roof rack. I just doesn't make send to me to spend that much on one. So I made one out of ectra tube I had laying around. I spent $25 for the Thule bolts. Everything else I already had.

 

I've seen some pretty good racks made out of plywood actually. Talk about ease to work with and highly replaceable! Get some pressure treated, prime, spray with bed liner or undercoat and BAM! You'd never know it wasn't metal. I plan on adding a few plywood or OSB slats to my rack to make it a little more of a platform. At least you guys have cheaper fabrication services and parts...and a better dollar... down in the States. Up here, north of the border... severe lack of local shops.

 

Really? I would have thought Canada would have more shops with all that wilderness. I guess you learn something everyday after all hehe

 

We ship a lot from you guys. Big distributors like 4 Wheel Parts and a few shops here and there but only a couple fabricators. There's a lot of ingenuity that happens though instead but most of our parts comes from the states.

We do have a lot of wilderness!

 

I use something like this to get onto my cab rack when I need too. Can find them in various heights. Roll the rear window down for a second step if needed. Cheap & useful for setting up the tent and around the camp for various things. I also added a longer string to the tent cover zipper which helps a lot with reach. Good luck.

 

what happened to the pics?

 

@spaculley - yea I have a step stool as well. I'm too short even with 3 rungs. Yup. I'm short. Get over it.

@Steves104x4 - DAMMIT. Why did I not think of that?! Combined with step ladder... Might help me reach the pedals too =P.

@Thelgord - whatever works!


This is something I have in mind including location. Somewhere behind the rear cab door. Would allow me to access both racks, really... but with RTT on just the front rack.

A few other examples I've seen but aren't really what I'm looking for. Might fit other people's uses better!

 

Any info on this build?

 

wondering the same thing.

 

I've found nothing specifically for Tacoma's, no. Or anything I can McGyver onto my existing roof racks. I'll most likely have to fabricate something. That being said, I DID see a truck on the roads the other day with a ladder that seemed to clamp onto the door of the truck - he/she had it placed in the rear driver side. Looked like a bracket that would hang off the top of the door and another on the bottom. The ladder itself telescoped so length could be adjusted to ensure a tight fit. Truck door was closed and it was still attached - something like that would work for me but a search on the googs didn't turn anything up. I'll do a build post if I do end up fabricating one...

Oh...and as for the one you mentioned, seemed like it was off pinterest on a mazda pickup but I couldn't find anymore information other than that.

 

$390 Xtend & Climb 785P Aluminum Telescoping Ladder Type I Professional Series, 15.5-Foot

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000...bp_QL65&keywords=telescoping+extension+ladder

What about something like this?