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TBammer's avatar
TBammer
Explorer
May 11, 2021

Quad Bike mounted to ladder?

We purchased a Vier Bike as something DW and I can do together. The bike cannot go into the back of the truck. I am thinking of rigging a block and tackle to raise it up and strap it to the ladder spiderman style (4 wheels against trailer back wall). The ladder is rated to 300# and I think the weight of the bike is 125. Any CONSTRUCTIVE ideas out there, pro and con?
  • And if it comes off resulting in property damage or injury will your insurance cover it?
  • Ladders are not designed for dynamic weight bouncing and vibrating down the road. In addition you have a 4' high bike that will increase torque applied to the ladder.

    Leave the bike at home.
  • The 300lb rating for the ladder is most likely a 'static' rating - ie a big fat guy can climb the ladder with the camper parked. Although I would be doubtful that the manufacturer did any sort of calculations and just had Bubba go climb it to test it. What you are suggesting would be a dynamic load - a load that is there while the camper is in motion. With it hanging way off the back, if you hit a dip or speed bump a little too fast, the effective load could easily exceed 300lbs due to the g-forces and leave your ladder and bike lying in the road.

    I wouldn't do it.
  • A while back a contributor here wrote, "never use the ladder for anything other than climbing to the roof". I've used that as gospel since then.
  • I probably wouldn't do it without calling Arctic Fox and asking their opinion. If I were going to try it, I would make sure it is strapped so there will be no movement/bouncing around. And better would be if you could get a hitch type of carrier attached to the frame under it to support most of the weight.

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