Access to van roof

[Chris CM]

Anybody used one of these:

Amazon product ASIN B07H24LMHD
Looks like an easy way to access the roof of my PVC to clean the solar panels.

Thanks...

 

[Driventemple]

Link not working

 

[ManTheVan]

A clever idea!

 

[Richard n Ann]

I just get the amazon home page.

 

[Chris CM]

Amazon product ASIN B07H24LMHD
Any better?

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[Mark and Mindy]

Interesting idea but was the door catch designed to take the weight and is it worth the risk of causing damage? The door catch maybe up to the job but the step thing could apply a lot of leverage so could the force cause the van bodywork to be deformed or could the bolts get ripped out? Any damage could leave you stranded if you couldn't shut the door.

 

[Boris7]

No likey

likey...
AutoBaBa Multi-Purpose 3.8M Aluminium Portable Telescopic Ladder DIY Extendable A-Frame Ladder Extension Steps 150KG Amazon product ASIN B07C96YXVX

 

[denisejoe]

Same sort of thing used for help getting out of car for elderly

 

[rosalan]

?

 

[pappajohn]

Same sort of thing used for help getting out of car for elderly

Bit different taking part of someone's weight to assist getting out than the force applied taking someone's full body weight.
I wouldn't risk it.

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[Chris CM]

Yes, must admit, does seem a bit of a risk of damaging the door locking “loop” or door frame though the loop does look very strong and I suppose they are tested to well in excess of my body weight, be interesting to know if anyone on here had used one? I do wish I had room for Boris7’s ladder ? so any other ideas for access, a pretty common problem?

 

[Richard n Ann]

No likey

likey...
AutoBaBa Multi-Purpose 3.8M Aluminium Portable Telescopic Ladder DIY Extendable A-Frame Ladder Extension Steps 150KG Amazon product ASIN B07C96YXVX

I bought some of these about 18 months ago, not used them a lot so they are like new. A few days ago I used them in ladder mode to get on the garage roof, I noticed them bending in the middle a lot. On the way back down one of the hinges gave way when I got to the middle ? scared the shite out of me. Very fortunately the other hinge held fast and I continued down. Looking at the hinge when I got down, it hadn't snapped or broken in any way, it's like a chunky bit of metal that goes into a slot to lock it and it just unlocked itself ?

There is no way on earth I would go up them again, if they would have folded... Well it doesn't bear thinking about.
Be extremely wary of these.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Yes, must admit, does seem a bit of a risk of damaging the door locking “loop” or door frame though the loop does look very strong and I suppose they are tested to well in excess of my body weight, be interesting to know if anyone on here had used one? I do wish I had room for Boris7’s ladder ? so any other ideas for access, a pretty common problem?

Have you got room underneath the van? I put some single telescopic ladders under ours with unistrut and home made clamps.

 

[Chris CM]

Have you got room underneath the van? I put some single telescopic ladders under ours with unistrut and home made clamps.

Unfortunately not, too many tanks - water, waste, gas, and spare.

 

[Gellyneck]

Unfortunately not, too many tanks - water, waste, gas, and spare.

OK then. Put a roof rack on and use ladder clamps.
Oh hang on, how do you get up to get them down?

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[Richard n Ann]

You could fix some aluminium channel on the back of the van, bit like the bike racks are Fastened on, and clamp ladders to that using zebs and M10 rod ??

 

[Chris CM]

OK then. Put a roof rack on and use ladder clamps.
Oh hang on, how do you get up to get them down?

You could fix some aluminium channel on the back of the van, bit like the bike racks are Fastened on, and clamp ladders to that using zebs and M10 rod ??

At this rate it’s going to end up looking like a builders van! ?