Help Me Brain Storm: Roof Rack Ladder Combo

[robcarync]

Hey guys...first off...I am getting married in May...which means I am having an awesome bachelor party in May. We plan on offroading at the NC beaches and camping out for the weekend...and likewise, I gotta make sure my Xterra is not only OFFROAD capable...but now I have to make it capable of hauling some cargo...soooo...PROJECT (that's why I'm getting married shhhhhhhhhh..... )


That being said, I have decided that for camping on the beach...I want and need:


A roof rack capable of strapping cargo to....preferably one that is recessed in between the roof rails to not add to the overall height. (DEPHEP style)

A ladder to get to the top

A platform I can put a tent on top of...because if I am going to camp out on my bachelor party, I want to sleep on top of my X


Now...I have researched a lot of options for ladders...I am not doing Gobi because it is crazy expensive for a ladder. I have looked into other options (RV ladders, truck ladders, etc) that hang on the hatch, or hang on potentially a roof rail. Not sure what I will do with this...or maybe just make one. I kind of like the idea of a ladder that actually extends all the way to the ground that either telescopes open, folds away, etc. I don't like the idea of all my body weight hanging on the hatch sheet metal.

Note: This ladder does look like it could be good:

http://www.amazon.com/Traxion-5-100...8&qid=1390590687&sr=8-1&keywords=truck+ladder

For the platform, I basically want the rack to be flat...all on a single plane, and just be able to throw a piece of plywood in the bottom and put a normal tent on top. I don't want to get into the crazy collapsible, clap open, clam shell type tents. Just a flat basket that my body can fit in and a piece of plywood to distribute my weight.

Then I got this crazy idea...of making a full sized ladder that basically slides away into the roof rack when not in use. It could slide away in some C-Channel and blend in with the rack floor. Reach up, pull it out, and I can prop it against anything I want.

I have attached a few sketches...now obviously the challenge I have with the current concept is keeping the middle of the rack clear so the ladder slides out. I am thinking I will have to maybe have a separate C channel slide below the actual rack surface so it is strong enough...but I just like brain storming...any other clever cargo storage ideas?

I could potentially make the plywood platform part of the actual rack...carriage bolt it to each outer edge and have all the supports and C channel under the plywood...but of course that limits bungee spots by having the cross supports covered...

And the stock roof rack is rated for 150 pounds...which I may believe that for driving around, but I have no worries about sleeping with my weight suspended on the rails as long as my weight is distributed and the vehicle is not moving.

 

[Tay-Lo]

I haven't read this yet but I must copliment you on your artistic skillz....that is a sweet X you drew...and it must be off roading just look at how stuffed that back tire is :sure:

 

[robcarync]

HAHAHA

Yesssssir! Well I have been brainstorming for a few weeks now...and just came up with this idea 20 minutes ago, so I sketched it out in power point just enough to communicate the idea...

Once I conceptualize the design I will model it all up in 3D models

 

[Xado89]

My idea was to suggest a rack that sat up on top of stock rack, make an extension ladder that slides/folds up underneath between the rack and you roof of the truck. It could also serve as extra support when you climb up to the tent, pull the ladder up behind you and have a sturdy base underneath.

 

[robcarync]

I was trying to keep it between the roof rails for 2 reasons:

1) I can stay in my garage

2) Sleeping between the two roof rails will serve as guard rails so I don't roll over off the top of the truck!


But I believe you are correct, that I will most likely have to have the ladder slide in underneath the rack...trying to make the middle section completely removable will weaken the structure of the actual rack too much. I do like the idea of having the ladder actually be part of the base though.

That or make the plywood base permanently part of the rack floor. Bolt it to the various supports so it will be rigid across the entire width and not need steel supports in the middle.

Basically, the top of the stock roof rails is my height limit (more or less...) The more layers I have (plywood+rack supports+ladder storage) means the shorter the side walls are, as it makes the floor thicker.

Also, I REALLY like this material:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_103642-3767...ty_sales_dollar|1&page=1&facetInfo=Perforated square tube

That would leave a LOT of places to bungee and strap cargo to. Also, since I am not fabricating side walls, just a platform, that leaves the stock roof rails free to keep the side to side rails. That way I can also adjust those and use them to hold cargo also.

 

[Xado89]

I was trying to keep it between the roof rails for 2 reasons:

1) I can stay in my garage

2) Sleeping between the two roof rails will serve as guard rails so I don't roll over off the top of the truck!

You have a point with #2. That's why I've never ventured into that zone, I move and fidget wayyyyy to much in my sleep to remain on top of a truck. I barley made it an entire night in a cot suspended 2 feet off the ground when I normally camp, lol.
As for #1, my garage is my man cave, truck stays outside.

Do you have aftermarket bumpers/sliders? Ever thought of forming a ladder off of them on the side of the truck? That could be your ticket up to the top as well, serve as part exo for your off-road excursions. I'm sure if you framed and built it right it could support your weight without putting any on the sheet metal of the body. You would always know where your ladder was, at least. hah.

 

[robcarync]

I have shrock sliders, and custom tube style bumpers front and rear. I had thought about a side ladder right over the rear windows, but know that would probably get caught on stuff when offroading in tight spots. I honestly like the look of a permanently attached ladder though.

Other idea was that instead of a ladder that slides all the way to the ground off the back, have it slide down to my trailer hitch and stick a pin through it to secure it. Less steel, less weight, and my bumper is supporting all of my weight while climbing.

I was originally thinking just throwing a piece of plywood at the bottom of the rack, and have it removable for a beer pong table but now thinking making it a permanent platform to the basket may make the most sense because

1) I plan on having it there anyway to sleep on...so I don't gain anything by making it removable

and

2) It adds to the rigidity of the whole platform by tying the two sides together. Using the plywood platform for rigidity reduces the amount of steel needed

and

3) Make it possible to leave the center section completely open for a ladder.

 

[Xado89]

I have shrock sliders, and custom tube style bumpers front and rear. I had thought about a side ladder right over the rear windows, but know that would probably get caught on stuff when offroading in tight spots. I honestly like the look of a permanently attached ladder though.

Other idea was that instead of a ladder that slides all the way to the ground off the back, have it slide down to my trailer hitch and stick a pin through it to secure it. Less steel, less weight, and my bumper is supporting all of my weight while climbing.

I was originally thinking just throwing a piece of plywood at the bottom of the rack, and have it removable for a beer pong table but now thinking making it a permanent platform to the basket may make the most sense because

1) I plan on having it there anyway to sleep on...so I don't gain anything by making it removable

and

2) It adds to the rigidity of the whole platform by tying the two sides together. Using the plywood platform for rigidity reduces the amount of steel needed

and

3) Make it possible to leave the center section completely open for a ladder.

I would stay with the non removable version. Just for the sake of losing at beer pong then trying to climb back on top of your truck to pass out half gone sounds a little sketchy. hahaha! Using the full plywood would be a little less weight. Only thing that would be tough would be weather treating it from the elements if it's going to be up there. I know that the sun can demolish anything you love down here. This is coming from a pasty ginger who works outside for a living during the summer time, haha.

Waterproofing isn't really an issue i'd say but as for heat/cold to keep the wood from trying to dry rot/warp might be hard?

 

[Tay-Lo]

Just a thought.....

Make the bottom as deep as you can
In the middle instead of having 1" tubes all the way across have them come part of the way and then thin metal just to connect and then make a kind of sleeve with 1/2 to 1" tube for the ladder. This would give it strength but fairly low profile.
Cover the top and sides with a solid material...such as diamond plate...to keep cargo from dropping down and blocking the ladder from being pulled out.
Then when you do plan on sleeping you can put a platform of some type in for a flat surface. This may mean you need to put tabs on the sides to keep the platform from tipping when you roll over...but thats a simple fix and doesn't take much space.

 

[Rammer'sX]

Very interesting, I have a lot of ideas but don't know how to put them down on paper
Have you thought of a (for the side) telescopic ladder that will fold in three sections and that the bottom will rest on top of the sliders and when folded up will fit between the roof rack rails? Maybe the roof rack can serve as a pivot point? Or the same concept but for the rear and the ladder will sit on top of the rear bumper?

For the rack, a Dephep rack without the rear cross member so that your legs will hang out and it will give you the base support you need so that you don't have to lay on top of the roof? And with this concept you can set a A frame tent that will be sitting on top of the two main roof rack tubes


Ramiro Munoz

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[robcarync]

All great ideas...here is a cross sectional sketch of what I was thinking with the plywood...Could bolt the plywood through the various square tubes to maintain the rigidity of the platform...

Was thinking I could also make it so that the rear wall "tailgate" of the basket is up, it seals off the ladder slide so it can't slide out the back...then you pull the back part of the basket down, you can pull the ladder straight out

All good ideas...Keep em coming!

I don't have a tube bender, which is one reason I was thinking a stand alone ladder all done with square tube. If I had a bender I would think about doing something fancy with tying it into the sliders and hatch etc.

I had looked at this ladder:

http://www.amazon.com/Traxion-5-100...8&qid=1390596721&sr=8-1&keywords=truck+ladder

and thought of ways to mount it to the roof rail and have it flip down to my bumper or something like that

I have all sorts of random ideas right now...but not sure which way I want to go with it yet.

 

[Macland]

Speaking from bachelor party experience, I think camping and off-roading is a great idea, but I think sleeping on top of your x is a good way to wind up in a cast for your wedding. Personally I'd just lay the seats down and sleep in the back of the Xterra.

 

[robcarync]

Speaking from bachelor party experience, I think camping and off-roading is a great idea, but I think sleeping on top of your x is a good way to wind up in a cast for your wedding. Personally I'd just lay the seats down and sleep in the back of the Xterra.

Funny, my fiance said the same thing lol

Who knows, I may end up going that route, but I still need to make a roof basket, and a ladder would be nice.

Aside from bachelor party weekends, I still think it would be cool to camp on my roof...that just seems .... soooo.... cool!

 

[robcarync]

Just a thought.....

Make the bottom as deep as you can
In the middle instead of having 1" tubes all the way across have them come part of the way and then thin metal just to connect and then make a kind of sleeve with 1/2 to 1" tube for the ladder. This would give it strength but fairly low profile.
Cover the top and sides with a solid material...such as diamond plate...to keep cargo from dropping down and blocking the ladder from being pulled out.
Then when you do plan on sleeping you can put a platform of some type in for a flat surface. This may mean you need to put tabs on the sides to keep the platform from tipping when you roll over...but thats a simple fix and doesn't take much space.

I like the idea of making the sleeve...I am just not sure how much material I would need top and bottom to keep the basket from wanting to buckle in the middle. Similar concept to my plywood Idea mentioned below...

 

[CaptainMorgan_SOS]

I drew this up last weekend and posted it up in my build as an idea I had. If you were to extend your bumper around the rear corners something like this might work.

 

[robcarync]

I drew this up last weekend and posted it up in my build as an idea I had. If you were to extend your bumper around the rear corners something like this might work.

I really like that. I bet I could just weld or bolt up an angle iron bracket under the stock plastic corner and just snip a little plastic...then tie the ladder into that. Similar on the top, use U bolts through an angle iron bracket to attach to the roof rail. I like the part of not having to worry about the hatch opening and closing etc. I feel better having weight supported on a non hinged body panel.

I am beginning to like the stationary, fixed placed ladder too. A LOT less complex and aesthetically speaking, it just looks better.

Good ideas!

 

[CaptainMorgan_SOS]

Yeah, a few of us were talking about something similar to what I drew above (there is a 2nd gen with an awesome rear bumper and side ladder) so I decided to tie it in to what I want to have built. The angle iron thing and U bolts sounds like a perfect solution to making it detachable if you wanted. I do like your idea about a slide out ladder too though. especially if you could make it fit under the rack and hold secure. You could easily make one out of 1-1.5" square tubing. Kinda like a leaning tree stand ladder. Maybe make it 2 sections where one connects to the other to get the height you want?

 

[granitex]

Is that the kind of thing that you were thinking about?

 

[CaptainMorgan_SOS]

YES!!!! Exactly like that is what I was thinking! Well, not exactly, I was thinking more to where it would reach the ground, but pretty damn close. That whole setup is awesome! Where do you put the ladder when not in use? I might steal some ideas from this in not too long. That is really cool.

 

[granitex]

I would keep it hanging on the wall of the garage for the most part, or on the back of the truck. The hitch pin held it in place when it was on the truck, Once i built a new rear bumper, and mounted the tent on my trailer I got rid of the ladder. I would also suggest using a thinner walled round steel for the ladder. I used 3/4 thin walled conduit just to make the bends easier, and used a hole saw mounted in my drill press to make the notches in the rungs.

Other than that is was all scrap angle that I already had laying around from other stuff. The conduit was plenty strong when it was resting on the hitch, because it was the hitch that carried all of the weight, the clips on the top just needed to keep it from tipping off the rack.

Pilfer all of the ideas that you want.

 

[robcarync]

I would keep it hanging on the wall of the garage for the most part, or on the back of the truck. The hitch pin held it in place when it was on the truck, Once i built a new rear bumper, and mounted the tent on my trailer I got rid of the ladder. I would also suggest using a thinner walled round steel for the ladder. I used 3/4 thin walled conduit just to make the bends easier, and used a hole saw mounted in my drill press to make the notches in the rungs.

Other than that is was all scrap angle that I already had laying around from other stuff. The conduit was plenty strong when it was resting on the hitch, because it was the hitch that carried all of the weight, the clips on the top just needed to keep it from tipping off the rack.

Pilfer all of the ideas that you want.

That is basically exactly what I was thinking about...that looks sweet!!!! Thank you! Still not sure which way I will ultimately go, but that was what I had in mind originally!

 

[slantyshanty]

What about portable ladders?

They make "A" frame like this and just straight versions as well.

 

[granitex]

The bad part of putting the ladder all of the way to the ground, is that the ground is never level. And when it is part of the truck it does not matter.