Forum Discussion

covered_wagon's avatar
Jan 25, 2015

TC Ladder Parts

Some of my ladder end caps are cracked. They are black plastic and some are starting to crack. Does anyone know where to get those?

I also advise that you change out the rust prone screws over to stainless screws. I wouldn't trust the oem screws to hold you from getting hurt in the furure. Mine were over ten years old and rusting pretty bad.

Thanks in advance.
  • Thanks BB, yes, one of the stand off screws on mine are showing rust. Probably worse inside where you can't see it.
  • By the time my tread endcap screws started showing rust, it turned out the tube coupling nuts "wings" had rusted away so that the ladder standoffs were loose, so I replaced them in both the standoff and the attachment plates for the ladder



    You can get the tubing coupling nuts at McMaster Carr, if you can't find them at the hardware store.

    The standoffs on mine used 1/4"-20 Panhead machine screws, while the mount plates used 1/4"-20 Flathead machine screws.

    Installing new coupling nuts, using a socket and tapping into the 1" ladder tubing with a hammer to the desired depth (shown below) was much easier than removing them :D

  • Thanks for clarifying that and someday soon I'll need the grab bar end caps like you say, I am sure.
  • Mike, I didn't know you were referring to the tread/rung end caps. I would imagine that you could find what you're looking for at an RV supply store. I've never seen anything like that in a hardware store. I was referring to the end caps off the bottom of the ladder that will crack over time due to moisture getting into the bottom of the caps when it rains and thus become brittle and crack. I did find some hard rubber end caps at the hardware store that works perfect and no signs of moisture or cracking.
  • Thank you, Mine are a bit different but still the same basic idea with three screws in the cap. Longest one in the middle goes thru the grab bars on ea. side.

    It's only one lone screw, the middle longer, that holds your entire weight so keep an eye on them, they are small gauge screws.
  • exhaustipated wrote:
    The end caps off the bottom of the ladder cracked on mine too due to moisture getting into the bottom of the caps when it rained and over time became brittle. I just went to the hardware store with one of those cracked caps and was able to find a replacement for both that is better than what came on the ladder and so far it hasn't shown any signs of wear and tear.


    Like to know what that is if you have time to post a picture. Going to hardware stores is the story of my life but yet never have I seen what you are talking about. Sounds really good.

    Thanks to all for the advice.
  • The end caps off the bottom of the ladder cracked on mine too due to moisture getting into the bottom of the caps when it rained and over time became brittle. I just went to the hardware store with one of those cracked caps and was able to find a replacement for both that is better than what came on the ladder and so far it hasn't shown any signs of wear and tear.