Last Updated on March 13, 2023
Suppose you’re driving to your next job site, and you remember that you need to bring a ladder. But you don’t want it taking up space in the car, so you try to figure out how to tie a ladder to a roof rack.
It’s not easy to transport a loft ladder or combination ladders without the proper equipment. Ladders are bulky and can be very dangerous if not handled properly. That’s why it’s essential to tie the ladder properly on the roof rack when transporting a ladder rack.
It’s not always easy figuring out how to do things, especially when tying ladders onto car roof racks. There are so many ways of doing it wrong, but it can be frustrating trying to get it right without the correct information.
We’ve got the perfect solution for you. In this article, we’ll walk you step-by-step how to tie a ladder safely and securely to your rack.
How to Tie a Ladder to a Roof Rack in a Convenience Way?
Tying a ladder to the vehicle’s roof rack is the perfect solution when transporting it. This will keep secure the ladder while you’re driving and prevent it from bouncing around in the back of your truck or car.
Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be able to safe transportation your ladder using your rack safely:
Step 01. Prepare your Roof Rack
First, you need to prepare the rack on your car. If you have a clip-on rack, ensure it’s secure and won’t fall off. If you have a metal rack with cross-bar, check that the bars are in good condition and properly secured to your car.
Step 02: Place the Ladder On Roof Rack
Now, you can place the ladder on top of your rack. Hold it by the side of the ladder and slowly slide it into place at one end of the rack. The top of the ladder should be tilted upwards when you are transporting it if you cannot get assistance
Don’t let go until it’s entirely in position, as this will make sure that it won’t fall off while you’re driving to your next job site.
Step 03: Make Tie-Downs Securely
Now, you need to make the tie-downs secure and tightly fasten them to each top end of the rack. You can choose how many attachment points you’d like for this, but remember that the number of ties should match on both sides.
You can use various types of straps to tie down the ladder, such as:
- Bungee Cords with ratchet lock
- Chain with S-hooks
- Cable ties with quickly tighten ends
- Strong Rope
- Ratchet straps tie down
- Spring strap
- Steel cable cord
When tying ropes using a knot that won’t come undone, securely fasten the rope’s ends or tie-downs.
Step 04: Wrap Extension Cord Around Ladder Rack
You can use a long extension cord and wrap it around the upright bars on your rack. This will hold down any part of the extension ladder that’s not secured with ladder clamps or tie-down at the other end.
Step 05: Tying Ladder rack to Roof Rack at Ends
If you can’t secure the ladder completely, use your ratchet strap tie-downs and strap the top of it tightly. You should also make sure that all of the cord or rope holding it down is taut against the rack bars. If you’re driving on bumpy roads, it could become loose and cause the ladder to fly off onto the road.
Make sure that you never drive with slack in your cords or rope, as it could come to loose completely causing the ladder frame to fall on someone’s property or worse on a person!
Step 06: Don’t forget to Re-Check
Check your knots and cord making sure that there are no weak points or too much slack in any of them. If you have to, tighten down any part of the ladder’s clamping system again using a bolt, screwdriver, or wrench.
No matter how well tied down your ladder is, you’ll need to check it every time before you set off on your next job.
Tips for Driving with a Extension Ladder on the Roof Rack
When driving with a ladder on the vehicle roof rack, it’s important to take a few precautions to make sure that everything stays safe and secure. Here are a few tips to help you out:
1. Make sure that the ladder frame is securely fastened to the vehicle roof rack before you start driving. This will prevent it from bouncing around in the back of your truck or car and becoming damaged.
2. Don’t drive with slack in your cords or ropes. This could cause them to come loose and allow the ladder to fall off the car rack.
3. Check your knots and cords regularly to make sure that there are no weak points or too much slack in any of them. If necessary, tighten them down using a bolt, screwdriver, or wrench.
4. Remember that cords should never be loose when you’re driving. If they are, the ladder could bounce around or even become unsecured and fly off onto the road causing damage to other people’s property or injury.
5. Keep your ladders in good condition with regular oiling of metal parts and repainting where necessary. This will reduce the chances of them becoming damaged while you’re transporting them.
6. Never drive with your ladder sticking too far off the back of your vehicle, as it could get caught by other cars or traffic causing damage to both vehicles and potentially injuring other road users.
7. Check your state or local laws before you start transporting ladders on the roof rack. Avoid accidents and break the legal requirements by putting them inside your vehicle instead if this isn’t allowed in your area.
8. Never transport ladders on the roof rack if their surfaces are wet or icy. If possible, wait until they’re completely dry before you set off with them attached.
9. Take extra care when driving through busy areas such as overpasses and urban roads where there’s a high risk of water dripping from cars and causing your ladder to become loose.
10. If you have to stop quickly, your ladder may fly off the back of your vehicle. Make sure that there are no small children or animals beneath it before you set off, as they could become injured if it falls on them.
11. Keep some straps for tying ladders to the roof rack in your toolbox. This will prevent you from having to use cords that could become loose and result in your ladder falling off.
12. Always keep an eye on the road behind you, so that you can check for traffic before you take any turns or bends.
In Conclusion
Driving with a ladder on the roof rack can be dangerous if you’re not careful. However, by following the tips we’ve provided on how to tie a ladder to a roof rack in this article, you can help to keep yourself and everyone else safe while transporting your ladders.
Remember to always double-check that everything is secure before you set off, and take extra care when driving through busy areas or near water. With these precautions in place, you’ll be able to transport your ladders safely and efficiently from one job site to another.
