surfer jim
Super Nomad
Posts: 1891
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
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Reaching the roof racks on a camper...
I have a tall 4wd truck with roof racks on the camper...roof isn't strong enough to crawl on to load/unload surfboard....I have been bringing a 4 foot
aluminum stepladder to get up to the racks...sort of a pain....got any better idea on how to get up there?
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
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Mood: Anxious to get south
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If the roof isn't strong enough to crawl on, you'll need to get a sturdier and taller ladder? $49.95 for a 6 footer @ The Depot, fiberglass, good for
other uses too, like climbing, to reach other high stuff.
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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Cameron
Nomad
Posts: 117
Registered: 10-12-2004
Location: Todos Santos / Seattle WA
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Mood: Thirsty!
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Reaching Your Roof...
Try a "tire step". You can use them up front when working in the engine compartment, or on the back wheels when you're loading and unloading your
roof rack/surfboards.
They come in "solid"/non-adjustable and adjustable types, and take up WAY less room than a ladder!
Do a Google search for "tire step", or if you're stubborn like me, jump in your truck and swing by just about any large auto parts store and you'll
find one in a heartbeat.
Suerte! Cameron
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Mood: Wondering what is next???
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Wow... I like it. Will it fold up any more compact??
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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chino
Nomad
Posts: 182
Registered: 11-27-2005
Location: Nor Cal
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Adopt an 8 or 9 year old boy!
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
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Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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Callen Camper in El Cajon-----
---makes a steel ladder that is attached to the side of the camper----I have one and it works great.
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marek
Junior Nomad
Posts: 53
Registered: 6-6-2003
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Surfer Jim,
I had a 4 wheel camper for years and that is one of the issues that drove me to eventually sell it. However, I used to do the following for putting
stuff on the roof.
Drivers side - stand in the propane compartment. Works well.
Rear - stand on the rear wall steps, or on the back corner of the truck bed.
sides - reach from the rear door of the truck cab, or a tricky balance move on the truck bed rails, while holding onto the rack crossbars.
You can also stand on the crossbars of your rack. We bought a small Yakima basket that worked for standing in.
Unfortunately, there is no easy solution. We ended up buying an Outfitter and now I simply climb up on the roof and walk around. I feel like a king!
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SBSRF
Junior Nomad
Posts: 28
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: SAN DIEGO
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Camper roof access
Jim, roof access is a tough one, I hated bringing a ladder so I set up a rail system. I have a Four Wheel Pop-up so the roof is delicate, I took the
jacks off the corner flanges and had a friend make up two 1 1/2 X 2 1/2 tubes that run the length of the camper, welded flat stock to each end, had
it powder coated and attached to the jack holes. This bar now runs the full length of each side approx. six inches below the side of the camper. I
simply step on the tire and up to the rail and have full access. See www.followingsea.net for pics. Under the article about Grebe scroll down to continued then scroll down to more pictures, click on the pic of my
truck and boat and it will give you some ideas.
Steve
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surfer jim
Super Nomad
Posts: 1891
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
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For some reason I thought I could just walk on the roof like on a motorhome....needed lightweight camper but the Outfitter sure looked GOOD....
I have the jacks removed also...that tube on the sides looks interesting...will give it some thought.....
sbsrf...looked like a fun trip...will read it in full when I get time.....
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bajarich
Nomad
Posts: 463
Registered: 1-13-2005
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4-Wheel Campers sell some small steps that mount on the back of the camper. I think they fold down. I didn't get them because they were pricey.
By the way, be careful with the ladders. I had one go out from under me one time and dropped 3 feet very fast. I took it for granted that it would
be steady, even though I was parked on a slight incline to the left and I was loading my canoe in a hurry at a river takeout.
[Edited on 10-6-2006 by bajarich]
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SBSRF
Junior Nomad
Posts: 28
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: SAN DIEGO
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I have the fold down steps on mine but they only give you access to the back of the roof. I also dont trust ladders, plus the rails allow me to walk
forward and back without climbing down and moving it all the time.
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chino
Nomad
Posts: 182
Registered: 11-27-2005
Location: Nor Cal
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| Quote: | | Unfortunately, there is no easy solution. We ended up buying an Outfitter and now I simply climb up on the roof and walk around. I feel like a king!
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Marek, I'm jealous I am so over my big 'ol heavy camper, I am looking at outfitter, I understand that they can hold several hundred pounds on the
roof and you can still pop-up, is this true?
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AmoPescar
Senior Nomad
Posts: 835
Registered: 7-15-2006
Location: North San Diego County
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Mood: Need a Fish Taco and a Pacifico!
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HEY SJ…HOW ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THIS TELECOPING LADDER???
I’ve seen the no. 1 style ladder before and they’re pretty neat. They’re a bit on the pricey side, but what unique, well made camping or off-road
item isn’t? And if They do the work, they’ll be worth it. They used to carry them at Costco, but not sure about now.
1. http://www.getladder.com/black_ladder.cfm
2. http://www.getladder.com/4_step_stool.cfm
For more prices and such, just GOOGLE “telescoping ladders”
Michael 
PS: BTW…long time no see, I think the last time was at an Amigo’s get together at Gonzaga Bay…long time ago!
[Edited on 10-7-2006 by AmoPescar]
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marek
Junior Nomad
Posts: 53
Registered: 6-6-2003
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We are leaving for Baja in the morning. I was chuckling to myself as I was standing on the roof of the Outfitter and walking around while loading the
surfboard, kayak, lawn chairs, umbrellas, etc.
Yes, you can raise the roof with a couple hundred pounds on it. It takes a little muscle, but nowhere near the challenge of the 4 wheel camper.
On the Outfitter, I also had them mount steps along the side of the camper to use to reach things on the roof.
It is a little heavier than the 4 wheel camper, but mostly because there are more options you can add. However, it is still much lighter than most
full size campers.
We're taking our time getting to the border and then we'll spend about two weeks while heading to Cabo and back. We're (wife, 2 kids, 2 dogs) in a
big white dodge with the Outfitter on the back. We're pretty hard to miss. Big bumpers, surfboard and kayak on the roof, and mountain bikes on the
back.
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chino
Nomad
Posts: 182
Registered: 11-27-2005
Location: Nor Cal
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| Quote: | Originally posted by marek
We're taking our time getting to the border and then we'll spend about two weeks while heading to Cabo and back. We're (wife, 2 kids, 2 dogs) in a
big white dodge with the Outfitter on the back. We're pretty hard to miss. Big bumpers, surfboard and kayak on the roof, and mountain bikes on the
back. |
marek, Hurt me!
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