access ladder for suburban/tahoe?

[caj13]

Good day everyone, i don'tr know if this is the proper subforum for this question, if not, someone please tell me ., or just have the mods move it to the approptiate place.

I have just signed up here, because I went looking for an answer to my question, and so far no luck. I am currently transitioning to my newest overland vehicle, a 1998 6.5 diesel 3/4 ton suburban with 33" tires and a mild 2" lift. I spend alot of time traveling the western states fishing tiny creeks and streams, so I'm hoping good mileage and a dependable platform. I have a bed in back, but i like to throw the full camp stove, a 10 X 10 popup with walls and screens, etc up top, so I can set up a comfortable base camp.

and that brings me to my question/ issue.
I really want a ladder to give me easy access to the rack up top. I can't recall seeing one an a tahoe/suburban . anyone have any sources? ideas? or derision you want to shoot my way, I'm all ears!

 

[9Mike2]

Check with Gobi Racks..

 

[caj13]

Thanks for the tip, i went to GOBI racks, looks to me like they have a bias against GM stuff - not listed on their brand list at the top!

 

[Sparksalot]

Does your Sub have the barn doors? I wonder if you can find a ladder from a full size van that might work with a bit of tweaking.

 

[Hihosilver]

I use my 33 wheels as steps. 5'7" here and it works for me.

 

[North American Sojourner]

Custom make it or have it made. I made this to access my gear from the roof. Materials are about $25-30. Weighs 14lbs.
Zim




EDIT. I built the entire camper. I don't think you could hang a ladder on a typical roof rack. Can you post some pictures?

 

[caj13]

Thats badass man, I assume that folds up and stores away? I'll posr photos As soon as I can, but the rig is currently 1000 miles away getting a 2" lift, 33" tires, and a complete going through & refresh. turns out those diesel burbs are hard to come by!

 

[caj13]

I use my 33 wheels as steps. 5'7" here and it works for me.

right, but I'm 65, have 2 titanium knees. If I climb up on the tires, getting down would be the issue. I really need to be able to walk around on the roof, not jusr access stuff, I have a solar panel, a big weather proof carrier bag, a 6 ft table & chairs, I really need to get up there to store stuff correctly

 

[KD7WCD]

Thanks for the tip, i went to GOBI racks, looks to me like they have a bias against GM stuff - not listed on their brand list at the top!

If you contact them they are pretty helpful. Were more than willing to build up a rack for my Hummer H3. I ended up doing my own thing because of I could build it in a couple of weekends where they had a 4 to 8 week turn around and we had a summer vacation that we could not wait on.

 

[KD7WCD]

I have found the same kind of issues finding such parts for my H3 Hummer. It is not a mainstream vehicle that you can drive off a lot so there is not as much marked to the more unique vehicles.

If you are into the DIY option a ladder is pretty straightforward. This is a good video that might give you some ideas.
I have found the last couple of projects I have done on the Hummer that is was the best option for me.

Even if you don't have the DIY inclination you might look around for a local fabrication shop. If you have a clear idea of what you want you may be surprised at the cost. Someone with the right tools and experience can crank out something like a ladder pretty quickly.

Keep us up to date. Would love to see what you come up with.

 

[North American Sojourner]

Thats badass man, I assume that folds up and stores away? I'll posr photos As soon as I can, but the rig is currently 1000 miles away getting a 2" lift, 33" tires, and a complete going through & refresh. turns out those diesel burbs are hard to come by!

LOL, no folding. I choose to do things as difficult as possible. I"m sure someone could cut it and put some hinges on it.
Thanks.
Zim

 

[caj13]

Yeah, I have the tools I need to build one, , and can come up with what I think is a pretty good design, but I wonder about mounting points? how/ where to be secure enough to hold the weight (250 lbs) without tearing out of the mount, and also if the mount would eventually be a leak point, where water could get down in there. I am also thinking of starting with an aluminum pool or pontoon boat ladder, and making it fit. (same issue, mounting points)

 

[North American Sojourner]

Yeah, I have the tools I need to build one, , and can come up with what I think is a pretty good design, but I wonder about mounting points? how/ where to be secure enough to hold the weight (250 lbs) without tearing out of the mount, and also if the mount would eventually be a leak point, where water could get down in there. I am also thinking of starting with an aluminum pool or pontoon boat ladder, and making it fit. (same issue, mounting points)

Send me a pic or two of what you have and I'll offer up some very rednek, deep south ideas...lmao. Kidding, post em up.
Zim

 

[North American Sojourner]

This is the secret to your ladder quest. Don't tell anyone.
Zim


feet | McMaster-Carr

 

[RatAssassin]

Simple.....easy....effective.

And folds flat.
They work great, are very stable and don't break the bank.

 

[caj13]

Update. After fooling around with several fabrication solutions, I ended up here:
a simple telescoping ladder. It collapses down to 20" long 16 high & 4 wide, stores in the corner of the burb, standing up. I can move it anywhere , telescopes out and back in in seconds, and as an added bonus, It had done double duty as a 'ramp so I can slide heavy stuff up or down, instead of trying to muscle it up. plus I have a ladder around camp - comes in handy.

 

[9Mike2]

Update. After fooling around with several fabrication solutions, I ended up here:
a simple telescoping ladder. It collapses down to 20" long 16 high & 4 wide, stores in the corner of the burb, standing up. I can move it anywhere , telescopes out and back in in seconds, and as an added bonus, It had done double duty as a 'ramp so I can slide heavy stuff up or down, instead of trying to muscle it up. plus I have a ladder around camp - comes in handy.

That's like the ladder I have seen SWAT and Spec. Ops teams..

 

[ontos]

Update. After fooling around with several fabrication solutions, I ended up here:
a simple telescoping ladder. It collapses down to 20" long 16 high & 4 wide, stores in the corner of the burb, standing up. I can move it anywhere , telescopes out and back in in seconds, and as an added bonus, It had done double duty as a 'ramp so I can slide heavy stuff up or down, instead of trying to muscle it up. plus I have a ladder around camp - comes in handy.

Nice. That's the ladder every yacht broker has in the trunk. If you need to get into a boat laid up on the hard, this is the answer. No reason it shouldn't meet your needs perfectly.

 

[mrpeterclark]

Try baselineoverland.com Roof Rack and Bumpers and lots of stuff for Suburbans!