Everyone needs to haul their ladders from time to time; that’s nothing exceptional. But transportation can be a little tricky sometimes, which can put you in an awkward situation!
Well, you don’t have to go through that anymore as I’ve got your back. Here I will tell you all the tips on how to tie down a ladder on a truck or any other carrier.
By the time you finish reading this article, you will be an expert! So what are we waiting for? Let’s get started!
How to Tie Down a Ladder to the Truck – Top Three Methods
Well, when it comes to transporting ladders, trucks are a common vehicle as it makes the whole process handier. So let me start with how to tie down your ladders on the truck for carrying it, and I’ll be sharing different methods to make the process effortless!
For hauling your ladders by truck or van, you can use three methods for a better experience.
- Method One – Using a Roof Rack
- Method Two – Using a Rear Bar
- Method Three – Transport the Ladder without any Rack or Bar
Method One – Using a Roof Rack
Here is how to tie a ladder to the roof rack with rope or ratchet straps.
Step One:
Firstly, you need to place the ladder in your vehicle’s roof rack. And make sure it is positioned on the midpoint from front and back. If you feel any problem while reaching for the top of your truck, you can use a wheel step for a better experience.
Step Two:
After putting the ladder on the rack, it is time to secure the whole thing with tie-down ropes. And here’s how you do it.
Take your ladder tie-downs for roof racks or ratchet straps and fasten them down beneath one crossbar. And then pitch it over the ladder in the opposite direction. When you are done with it, tie up the ladder on the sidebar using the rope in the same manner.
Final Step:
Once you finish tying both sides, it’s time for you to secure the ratchet strap with its buckle. If you’re using a rope, ensure that it’s fastened tightly. After finishing the process, you can take it wherever you want!
So here was the method of and transporting your ladder using roof racks. Now let’s take a look at some other options.
Method Two – Using a Rear Bar
If you want to learn about hauling your long or extension ladders using the rear bar of a truck, this method will be the best one. So let’s see how it’s done.
Step One:
First of all, place your ladder on the rear bar. If your vehicle doesn’t have any, you can install a rear bar for convenience.
Step Two:
While positioning the ladder, ensure that it’s centered perfectly. Otherwise, it may fall on the road. Moreover, you can get ladder slides to make the loading and unloading process easier.
Final Step:
Now take your ropes, fasten one end of your ladder with the bar, and do the same with the other end. For better safety, you can also use a ratchet strap for this procedure.
Method Three – Transport the Ladder without any Rack
If your truck doesn’t have any bar or rack, but you still have to haul your ladder, you can follow this procedure to do that successfully.
Step One:
Place the ladder in the truck bed in a way that it is down to the closed tailgate. And if your truck bed doesn’t have any liner, you can use foam or blank to prevent scratches.
Step Two:
Take a ratchet strap and wrap it over the ladder’s frame and behind the tailgate. While doing that, make sure you’re passing each end of the strap through the ladder and around the side rails. Otherwise, it won’t be secure enough.
Related: How to Secure a Ladder? (4 Steps Guide)
Step Three:
Now you have to attach your ratchet strap to your truck bed’s anchor, used for tie-down. After connecting them, tighten the whole thing.
Final Step:
When you are done with the tightening, you’ll need to hook onto the rungs using the ratchet strap afar from the tailgate. And now this whole task is finished.
So here was the instruction on how to transport a ladder without a roof rack. Yes, this procedure is tricky, so installing a rear bar or rack will make everything effortless.
How to Transport a Ladder on a Car – The Easy Way
When it’s about hauling a ladder with your car, you can always use the boot. However, this method will only work for telescopic or any compact folding ladder. And it can damage the interior, and it’s not suitable for carrying long exterior painting extension ladders.
The safest and most convenient way to transport your ladder on a car is by using the vehicle’s roof rack. Well, let’s see how you can do that without any trouble.
- Lift your ladder and position it on the middle of your vehicle’s roof. If you don’t have any car roof rack, use a blanket or a large towel to protect the room and ladder from damages.
- Now grab your ratchet strap or bungee cord and tie both ends of the ladder by using that. And always fasten it tightly to avoid any accidents.
How Do You Use Ratchet Straps to Carry Your Ladder?
Here is how to use ratchet straps on roof rack for transporting your ladder.
- Firstly, you need to open the release catch of the strap.
- Secondly, take the strap thread all the way through the bottom of the ratchet.
- Once it feels tight enough, place it across the ladder or anything else you’re carrying.
- After that, tie the ends over the side of your truck or car’s roof rack. And your cargo will be secured perfectly!
FAQs
How to move a 32-foot ladder without any damages?
If you want to fully carry a 32-foot or any other long ladder success, you need to install a roof rack on your vehicle. This way, the end of your ladder won’t be touching the ground, so there’ll be no damages whatsoever.
How far can a ladder stick out the back of a truck?
In most states, the law allows you to overhang a ladder on your vehicle by 4 feet from the rear and 3-foot from the front. And it can go up to 4-inch on each side of your car. However, before transporting something like this, always check the rules and regulations of your area for a safer experience.
How much weight can a tailgate hold?
Well, a standard tailgate can withstand up to 600lbs. But, the weight limit varies from vehicle to vehicle; hence, check out your truck’s manual for a better experience.
What to avoid while carrying a ladder on your truck?
To transport your ladder safely, here are the things you need to avoid.
1. Always use cushioning or rack to haul the ladder with your vehicle.
2. Don’t drag the ladder through the ground.
3. Always lift the ladder using your knees, not your back.
4. Check the vehicle’s manual to have a clear idea about the weight limit.
Final Words
So here was my detailed instruction on how to tie down a ladder on a truck. If one method doesn’t work, you can try another one to finish your task successfully.
And while carrying a ladder on your vehicle, tie a red ribbon or flag on the overhung end. In this way, the other travelers on the road will be warned, and many accidents will be prevented!
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