Ladder on flatbed
 

Does anyone carry a ladder on there flatbed? I'm wondering if I should mount an 8' step ladder to the front of my flatbeds headboard. Anyone have any thoughts on this.

I have considered a ladder. There are three things to consider:

Height: I don't think an 8' step ladder is going to do much if you get a 13' tall load. Perhaps a 8' - 14' extention ladder would be better. I have seen these collapsible ladders at the hardware store that extend from 3 feet to 15 feet or so. I just don't think that they would hold up.

Weight: If you weigh 200 pounds and you want to carry an 80 pound tarp up a ladder then you ought to have a ladder rated for 300 pounds. Those cheap stepladders are only rated for 200 pounds.

Theft: How are you going to keep the ladder from being stolen when your truck is parked. Perhaps a bicycle type cable lock.

I think that one of those Little Giant ladder systems that they advertise on TV all the time would be good, but they are kind of pricey. I think I will get one of these eventually, but I would like a locking toolbox to keep it in. I would rather not give them away to anyone with a pair of boltcutters. :wink:

I tig welded up a little lauminum job to slide into a stake pocket on the front of my skateboard but I dont climb on a load, I just have a few pieces of rope attached to climbing clevis' that I snap onto the eyelets of my tarps, I fold it up so I can tie the first two down to the front then pull the other ones back and it opens up evenly.



I guess you older guys might have to climb though, us youngins can still throw that 110 pound tarp on top of a 9 foot load still :wink: :lol:

Brian,
I can't picture this...could you post a photo?

I put mine ontop of the x-members in the middle of the frame rails.Out of sight out of mind to the thieves.If you get a load higher than 8ft there will more than likely be a lft there to get you up if need be.I don't pull out my ladder more then 2 or 3 times a year.

I carry a 5 foot stepladder, it fits on top of the toolbox which is between the spread, comes in handy and was cheap enough to buy.




Even though I can throw it, I let the guy with the forklift put it up there :lol:

I've done flatbed previously, and when I get my own authority, I will do it again.

What I believe Brian is talking about, is on the tarp where the eyelets are, attaching rope to them. Once the tarp is on the top of the load you can stand on the ground and walk from the front to the back of the trailer pulling on the rope and it will drag the end of the tarp with it.

I'm no slouch at 6'2" 255, but even with my carrying furniture up stairs etc all day, I don't think I could throw a rolled up tarp that high. I always tossed it on a blade of the f/l and had a guy lift it up there for me.

yep teals got it, their only about 10 foot lengths with clips on the ends to snap onto my tarp, I fold em up on the ground so I can pull the first two ropes and secure one half of the tarp to my skateboard then pull the other 4 and finish spreading it out, afterwards I unhook the ropes and actually secure the tarps to the load.

I have a little giant that folds up small enough to fit in the box between the spread. I only use it a few times a year but it's great to have when needed.

I also tie short ropes to my tarps to pull them over w/out having to be on top of the freight. I can't walk on or prop a ladder against what I haul, so I have to be creative to get the tarps spread and rope and folding is the key.

How about a few pictures of this??