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markz2004
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2007
Posts: 944
Location: Portland, OR
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 Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 3:22 pm Post subject: Who needs a Ladder - "the stripper pole" |
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It's Friday.
The concept is to use two 4' pieces of PVC pipe to make a long telescoping pole allowing the user to reach the roof rack. The base pole would be 2" in diameter, the upper pipe/pole is 1-3/4" in diameter. Holes drilled (horizontally) in the ends would allow a user to insert dowels to hold the poles together in the extented position. Another set of holes and dowels would allow the user to place foot pegs/dowels pretty much anywhere they wanted, but most likely below or at the point where the two poles overlap. The top of the pole is simply bungeed to the roof rack cross bar that hangs over the side of the van, creating some stability. The pole could be broken down and storred easily.
I think this would let some one get 4' of height to reach the assorted roof racks.
Crazy?
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87 Westy, 250k GW 2.4 - 2.0  , 16" wheels |
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fastwagens
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Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 1028
Location: Michigan (The other west coast)
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| Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Crazy! |
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PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6243
Location: Portland OR
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| Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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Yes. It sounds crazy. I found one of these and use it occasionally. I actually cut it in half and just use one side leaned up against the van. It folds to about the size of a 4" length of PVC pipe and straps up top or fits in the box.
http://www.amazon.com/Double-Sided-Compact-Folding...amp;sr=1-2
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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1621
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Joined: May 15, 2006
Posts: 2174
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SCM
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Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3115
Location: Bozeman MT
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| Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 4:08 pm Post subject: |
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I would be very worried about the pvc splitting at the dowels once weight was applied.
I can imagine it now; about 3 feet off the ground, lifting something off of the roof rack, balancing awkwardly as the pvc flexes and twists when
BLAM!! The thing explodes.
A 1 foot sliver of pvc slides into your calf and up past your knee, just under the skin. CRACK, that's the sound of your ankle snapping when it hits the ground at some weird angle. But don't worry, you won't feel the pain for long because that thing from the roof rack is just about to land on your head knocking you senseless. 
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climberjohn
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Joined: January 11, 2005
Posts: 1840
Location: Portland Orygun
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| Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 5:29 pm Post subject: |
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yah mahn, loco.
I think PVC and wood dowels will not last in the long term.
I saw a sweet ladder at Mogfest 2010.
It was made of welded tube steel or aluminum. It separated into 2 parts for storage. Very simple and stout. I think sturdy is what you want in a ladder.
Hey, you have a machine shop at your disposal, right? make one of these and I will buy it in a flash.
(Hey lookie, I actually found a photo!)
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Know your limits. Exceed them often. |
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ALIKA T3
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Joined: July 30, 2009
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Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
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SteveVanB
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Joined: June 01, 2008
Posts: 1645
Location: This side of Daytona
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| Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:42 pm Post subject: |
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What about something like this?
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