Gobi Ladder or No Gobi Ladder

[Jay Arr Ell]

So, I have been on the fence out this product for sometime. Some days I feel like getting it and others I don't. One thing that is stopping me from getting this is that am I really going to have a need for it. Another part of me feels like I do, since I usually have to climb up the side of my truck for my kayak and what not. So, those of you that have a Gobi ladder, do you find yourselves happy with the ladder because it is useful or do some of you that have a ladder find that it really wasn't useful at all. I also feel that it would help with cleaning and waxing the roof. Just looking for some suggestions. Thanks for the help.

Jonathan

 

[robcarync]

I am interested in some perspective as well. It has been one of those mods where I want it, but then think I won't use it. I have a feeling it would end up more of a fashion accessory for me than actual utility. Then again, who hasn't done something to their truck because it looked cool?

 

[Intender]

I know for my truck the only way I would be able to get to the ladder would be to climb up the tire and then step around onto the bumper. The rear end is just too high off the ground to easily get up on the bumper.

I would however like to build a rear bumper one day where the tire drops down and have a couple of steps on the back side of the tire and the have steps on the upright part to access the top of the truck.

 

[Jay Arr Ell]

I am interested in some perspective as well. It has been one of those mods where I want it, but then think I won't use it. I have a feeling it would end up more of a fashion accessory for me than actual utility. Then again, who hasn't done something to their truck because it looked cool?

I feel the same way. Would I actually use it as to where I felt the money spent was justified. I am just not sure. I might just save it for rotors and brakes. However, like you said it does look cool, but is it just a fashion accessory?

 

[Chetter]

When I 1st got my ladder it was primarily because I just liked the way they looked, but I have found that I actually use it quite a bit. It has actually become one of the most useful mods I've done. Not that I use it all the time, (just don't need up there too often...) but it sure is a lot easier for me with the ladder than it was before I had it. And it looks cool...haha.

One thing I have noticed on my truck is that when I step on one of the rungs, my foot will also hit the rear wiper and push it down quite a bit. My rear wiper hasn't worked since I got the truck so it's no big deal to me but something to keep an eye out for....

 

[C3po]

Get it, I make moderate use of mine, if you feel you were better off than they resell pretty easily and isnt hard to ship.

 

[jonnyx]

I got one and never looked back on my 1st gen. Of course I built a platform for a tent so it was super use full especially for the lady. Now I have a 3" + lift so I'll need to address my supports. Anyway, you can attach all sorts of accessories to it Hi-lift/water jugs (just lose the lift access to your trunk) I attached a pic below...

 

[Jay Arr Ell]

Those of you that do have the ladder, how much were the new struts for the rear hatch, also did you guys need the new struts? I saw on one site that they wanted 109.00 for 2 struts. Might as well include some Vaseline with those.

 

[jonnyx]

I did not get the new struts... I should though... At first it was fine... but now it droops then attacks me. Since I have a rear tire carrier I avoid opening the hatch. They may come with Vaseline... but if they come with "bend Over" instructions then you know you got dooped. haha.

 

[J Everett]

Do any of you feel that the weight of a person on the ladder may be testing the limits of the hatch's hinges or the body support structure that it attaches to?

I'm kind of a big guy, pushing 300 lbs, and if I'm carrying something heavy up to the roof, I feel like it might one day be too much for the bolts/welds etc.

 

[Jay Arr Ell]

Do any of you feel that the weight of a person on the ladder may be testing the limits of the hatch's hinges or the body support structure that it attaches to?

I'm kind of a big guy, pushing 300 lbs, and if I'm carrying something heavy up to the roof, I feel like it might one day be too much for the bolts/welds etc.

I don't think that it will affect the hinges since it is in the down position when the ladder is being used. That is my best guess since I do not have a ladder.

 

[Jay Arr Ell]

I did not get the new struts... I should though... At first it was fine... but now it droops then attacks me. Since I have a rear tire carrier I avoid opening the hatch. They may come with Vaseline... but if they come with "bend Over" instructions then you know you got dooped. haha.

haha. I know, 109.00 bucks for struts is a bit much. here is the link to the site http://www.eadoffroad.com/nissan/xterra/xterra-racks/gobi-gnxl-nissan-xterra-rear-ladder

 

[Maxterra]

Had mine for a few years now (with the struts).
The struts I love, as they're plenty stout to keep the hatch open, and an added bonus that the hatch raises 3 or 4" higher than before, and being 6'4 that's nice to clear it.
The ladder IMO is too close to the hatch, thus only the front of your foot is thru the rungs. Very uncomfortable to stand there very long. I have size 11 feet, so maybe tiny feet are less of an issue.
I wouldn't say I use it a bunch. Probably stand on the tires & corner steps way more than I use the ladder.

As for wear on the hinges, doubtful as the hatch is closed and the latch carries some of the weight. For it just clamping to the pinch seam sheet metal top & bottom, seems pretty tough.
If you do buy one, you will need the struts at some point due to the additional weight.


Beamed across time and space to reach you!

 

[Jay Arr Ell]

I might, it is a toss up between the ladder or a 40" lightbar. A thought just popped into my mind, I wonder if the ladder would be a good spot to mount Ol' Glory? I do like how some Wranglers have a flag mounted in the rear.

 

[drbandkgb]

We loved our gobi but sadly it was not made for a tire carrier.. So we ditched it.. I may order on down the road again..

I used our with dephep rack all the time..

They do add weight so get the struts.

 

[Prime]

I'm running the factory struts still. But flipped. And I have no issues. I personally find the ladder rather useful for getting to the back side of the dephep. It's really easy to climb on top of the whole truck and stand there if you need to get something but don't have an 8ft ladder around.

 

[Jay Arr Ell]

We loved our gobi but sadly it was not made for a tire carrier.. So we ditched it.. I may order on down the road again..

I used our with dephep rack all the time..

They do add weight so get the struts.

I think I read somewhere McCarr Mcallister or something like that has them for like 18 bucks, but I am not sure if that is still the price. The 109.00 seems to be a lot. Also, i have a shrocks bumper w/o the tire carrier, so i would get the ladder for the stock bumper?

 

[drbandkgb]

I think I read somewhere McCarr Mcallister or something like that has them for like 18 bucks, but I am not sure if that is still the price. The 109.00 seems to be a lot. Also, i have a shrocks bumper w/o the tire carrier, so i would get the ladder for the stock bumper?

Yeah the make a right or left side..

 

[Jay Arr Ell]

Yeah the make a right or left side..

That is the next dilemma, either passenger or driver side. I am leaning towards passenger. I was going to get a led lightbar, but I think I would get more use out of the ladder, instead.

 

[Prime]

If you're ever contemplating a tire carrier, they all hold it on the drivers side. Unless you do something custom of course.

 

[Jay Arr Ell]

If you're ever contemplating a tire carrier, they all hold it on the drivers side. Unless you do something custom of course.

I know, I am kicking myself for not getting the bumper with the tire carrier. Oh well, I just have to deal with the regular bumper

 

[Jay Arr Ell]

Well, I took the dive off the deep end and bought the ladder. Hopefully, I made a right choice.

 

[drbandkgb]

If you go driver it shouldn't be in your view too bad

 

[Jay Arr Ell]

If you go driver it shouldn't be in your view too bad

I got a passenger side one, now to play the waiting game from the brown truck

 

[Mr Bills]

I bought a passenger side Gobi ladder to make my DepHep roof rack basket more accessible. It was definitely a worthwhile purchase.

As for the struts to handle the additional weight on the rear hatch, there is no need to pay $109 for the Gobi product. You can purchase from McMaster Carr for $18 ea. http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/120/1220/=uzgmu3 My order was for 2 ea. PN 9416K28 (struts), 2 ea. PN 4185T12 (seal protectors-optional), 4 ea. PN9416K76 (10mm ball sockets), total approx $48.

It is generally recommended to purchase struts with the 175# rating with the ladder, 150# without, however I bought my 150# struts months before I purchased my ladder and they seem to be working fine.

 

[Jay Arr Ell]

I bought a passenger side Gobi ladder to make my DepHep roof rack basket more accessible. It was definitely a worthwhile purchase.

As for the struts to handle the additional weight on the rear hatch, there is no need to pay $109 for the Gobi product. You can purchase from McMaster Carr for $18 ea. http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/120/1220/=uzgmu3 My order was for 2 ea. PN 9416K28 (struts), 2 ea. PN 4185T12 (seal protectors-optional), 4 ea. PN9416K76 (10mm ball sockets), total approx $48.

It is generally recommended to purchase struts with the 175# rating with the ladder, 150# without, however I bought my 150# struts months before I purchased my ladder and they seem to be working fine.

Thanks for the info, would the stock struts be sufficient with the ladder on them, until I get the struts? EADoffroad said on their page that it would take about 5-7 weeks for delivery, whaaa. But, I guess I have enough time to get them until the ladder comes.

 

[Mr Bills]

Thanks for the info, would the stock struts be sufficient with the ladder on them, until I get the struts? EADoffroad said on their page that it would take about 5-7 weeks for delivery, whaaa. But, I guess I have enough time to get them until the ladder comes.

Stock struts are reported to be rated at 145 lbs., which might be OK on an interim basis if they are almost new and it doesn't get too cold (struts are less effective when cold and also as they age). For your locale I would be inclined to replace the struts, and if you are going to purchase new struts, why not the McMaster Carr 175# struts? McMaster Carr typically ships the same day and the total cost would be less than 1/2 the Gobi struts.

 

[Jay Arr Ell]

Stock struts are reported to be rated at 145 lbs., which might be OK on an interim basis if they are almost new and it doesn't get too cold (struts are less effective when cold and also as they age). For your locale I would be inclined to replace the struts, and if you are going to purchase new struts, why not the McMaster Carr 175# struts? McMaster Carr typically ships the same day and the total cost would be less than 1/2 the Gobi struts.

Yeah, that is what I was figuring as well. Last winter was pretty cold here and the stock ones started to get a little funky. Now, is the extra hardware needed because some people were stating on TNX that all they had to get was the struts and use the stock hardware with the new struts. I have an '11 and some people were saying that on their '07's all they had to get were the new struts.

 

[Mr Bills]

Is the extra hardware needed because some people were stating on TNX that all they had to get was the struts and use the stock hardware with the new struts. I have an '11 and some people were saying that on their '07's all they had to get were the new struts.

You might be able to use the factory ball sockets, but maybe not. It depends upon whether you can get them off the factory struts without damage. I bought new because they were only $1.48 each.

 

[J Everett]

When I replaced my struts on my '08, I just reused the factory hardware. It's very easy to remove the strut from the mounting bracket.

 

[Jay Arr Ell]

Ladder has been shipped. I am surprised that is fast shipping, supposed to have it by this Friday. It was about a week. That is a lot better than the estimated time of 4 weeks that they had on the site. Hopefully will have it to put on by Christmas. Merry Christmas to me. Hopefully over the break I can make a build page of my boring X.

 

[Fromfrontier2Xterra]

I know you already bought but, you'll be glad you did. I use my Gobi ladder on a regular basis. Especially now in winter with cleaning off the top of the rig. But in the summer it compliments my Dephep and helps me with loading it up and strapping stuff down. :kewl: