Fibre glass steps on roofrack

[sparkdog]

I just wondered what others think of keeping fibre glass steps on the roof rack.I see a lot of vans with them on the top but but I would have thought weather would cause corrosion and also danger of having them nicked.I keep mine in the van but they take up a lot of space.

 

[axel132132]

You can buy ladder clamps that have a slot in for a padlock so they cant be openend
LADDER CLAMPS - VERY HEAVY DUTY (WITH PADLOCK) UK MADE | eBay

As for corrosion ive no idea at my old job we used to put them in van unless the van was full then on roof

 

[malcolmsanford]

As Axel says clamps are a good security device for ladders. As for corrosion well they make boats out of fibre glass so I don't think a bit of rain will hurt a pair of steps too much

 

[Guest123]

Always used to keep my big ladders on the roof, apart from the yellowness fading a bit they're still going strong.

 

[Guest123]

Rhino roof clamps for secirity......
Rhino Safe Clamp Ladder Clamps (Pair)

 

[alarm man]

the only problem ive found with fibre steps is be careful how you clamp them on your rack,they can crack if clamped to hard at the weaker end or near a bracket ,other than that make sure there padlocked on or they will walk..i keep a little pair of 4 treads in the back soley for working in domestics or nice offices,nowt worse than pulling out a pair of steps on mrs smiths nice cream carpet with steps covered in crap and drippping wet..

 

[rjsv]

the only problems youd get would be tea leaves and fading. fibre glass is fine to be left on top of vans

 

[vernam616]

Fibre glass and alloy treads dont rust

 

[imago]

Why are fibreglass step ladders so popular? I can see their benefit in some industrial locations, other than that I don't see the benefit?

 

[Fin170]

Why are fibreglass step ladders so popular? I can see their benefit in some industrial locations, other than that I don't see the benefit?

Mine are certainly more solid than it's ally equivalent, also being electricians I guess it sets a good example to not be standing on a rather large conductor :lol:

 

[imago]

Mine are certainly more solid than it's ally equivalent, also being electricians I guess it sets a good example to not be standing on a rather large conductor :lol:

If people prefer them that's fair enough. As for the metal ones being conductors, safe isolation should cure that, but it would only be an issue if you were working with live cables which didn't have a CPC surely?

 

[londonlec]

I built a false floor in the van and keep trunking, steps, and triple ladders underneath

 

[alarm man]

If people prefer them that's fair enough. As for the metal ones being conductors, safe isolation should cure that, but it would only be an issue if you were working with live cables which didn't have a CPC surely?

theres plenty of sites wont allow metal steps,i was working on a panel in a shop once and it was a mess in the leccy cupboard,tails and cables everywhere,rams said no metal steps..no work till fibre steps brought for job..

 

[ian.settle1]

I just wondered what others think of keeping fibre glass steps on the roof rack.I see a lot of vans with them on the top but but I would have thought weather would cause corrosion and also danger of having them nicked.I keep mine in the van but they take up a lot of space.

Are you serious how can GRP corrode?

 

[HandySparks]

Are you serious how can GRP corrode?

I don't think it's such a silly question. GRP boats don't last forever. If the gell coat crazes and water gets inside, freezing would certainly cause damage. I would think that a ladder that was outside all the time wouldn't last as long as one kept indoors, although I couldn't put numbers to it.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

If you live or work close to the sea, as I do, the issue is corrosion of the aluminium treads and rivets, in particular those that are pop-riveted. The pop-rivets suffer from galvanic corrosion due to the dissimilar materials (aluminium/steel) regularly bathed by salt-water precipitate. We find that GRP steps and ladders made by the Clowgroup, which use solid aluminium rivets, suffer the least in this adverse environment.
http://www.clowgroup.co.uk/laddersdirect.htm

 

[sparkdog]

Yes it was more the steel bits corroding I was thinking about.Both my step ladders are Clow.Thanks for the replies I will get some clamps and put the big ones on the roof.