Which of these Van Ladders is best?

#OwlDesigns #VanLadders #OwlVans
Which ladder should you get for your van? I've owned and installed three different ladders and talk about the pros and cons of each ladder used on my 2016 Mercedes Sprinter van--two side ladders and one rear ladder and which I prefer as well as some useful modifications. These ladders are great for four wheeling, overloading, van camping, vanlife, using the roof of your van and getting things like kayaks and paddle boards onto the roof of your van. Aluminess, Van Compass and Owl Designs plus Agile Off Road.
#vanlife #mountainbluebirdthevan

[@russellthom1169]

Love your garage!
Were your hinges 180 or 270's?

[@vantripping]

Thank you! Mine is a 2016 model which only came with the 270 degree hinges so the driver side one is limited to between 90 and 180 degree opening due to the ladder which I thought might be an disappointment but really hasn't been since the passenger side can still open 270 degrees to get out of the way helping to load and unload things at times. Having only 90 degree hinges/opening ability on each side would cause you to have to have more room to the back of the van when loading and unloading larger items or make it more awkward for larger items since you can't get right up to the van as you can with the door swung up against the side of the van.

[@x95cook]

Looks great. Do you think the extra weight on the door hinges over time could become a problem?

[@vantripping]

No. People have been attaching to the robust MB rear door hinges for decades without issues, and even the MB spec is for around 1,000 pounds of weight--far more than supported here. And lots of been using these #OwlVans rear ladders, spare tire carriers and cargo boxes with more weight loaded for years without issues, so this set up can support a lot of weight as others have tested.

[@VEHICROS]

A rear door probably weights between 100 to 200 Lbs. A large tire and wheel could be anywhere from 60-100 Lbs. Plus the weight of anything and person on the ladder.

[@vantripping]

@@VEHICROS Yep, your estimates are likely right. I have not found any issues and the MB spec seems to support 1000 pounds on the hinges. I have not heard of anyone with an Owl rear ladder or other mounted to the hinges having an issues. These hinges are thick, cast and hardened steel and very robust.

[@VEHICROS]

@@vantripping I suppose, and for sure a vehicle door is Extremely heavy, a van rear door would take at least 2 people to carry, despite this fear I have seen how ridiculous some side ladders really look, so I am going with a rear door ladder!

[@vantripping]

@@VEHICROS Having had two side ladders and now the rear ladder, I prefer the rear ladder, as it doesn't impede the rear view mirror view, create wind resistance, catch bugs, snow and ice, and worry about it clipping a tree, a pass vehicle's mirror or a street sign when parking or turning on that side. It is easier to raise and lower kayaks onto the roof rack by sliding them up or down along a side ladder than a rear one, but I still prefer the rear altogether.