Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 05-03-2009, 11:16 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 351
Cheap accesories-tire carrier and ladder

I know that Aluminess (and similar) are very popular. However, I am somewhat financially constrained and simply don't have very high expectations for a tire carrier and ladder. I'd like the tire carrier to carry the tire and the ladder to hold my weight when I need up top.

My SMB will never be a big, majestic 4wd, diesel, just a fancy van for camping, sailing trips, and light offroad (Mostly sand and mud-not rocks. Limited slip is plenty of off road capability for me.). I'm ok with this. I bought old and used and paid cash. I plan to keep it running for 10 years and about 75,000 more miles.

Am I making a mistake by going with the $100-200 versions of the ladder and swing away tire carrier? The ladder I'm looking at seems to hang from the back door and the tire carrier looks like it bolts in the door frame.

Do these cause problems? Ruin the doors? Fall apart? Weigh too much?

I don't want to buy junk or something that will damage the van, I just need some basic utility out ot these items.

I don't mean to offend those with the super nice rigs. I'd love a $90,000 rig. I just need some nuts and bolts advice before I begin accessorizing.

Thanks in advance.

Tom

__________________
Tom
Austin, Texas
1995 SMB E250
bluedog225 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-04-2009, 07:32 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
jage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 7,643
Re: Cheap accesories-tire carrier and ladder

Aluminess has a tire carrier that attaches to the standard bumper, but works like the one on the full bumper. Personally I would go with that over anything that attaches to the van itself. Of course you're not hanging big fat mud tires off it either, but I'd save in other areas.

The door ladder on the other hand should be easily obtainable. In fact they seem common enough I would think watching the junkyards would turn up something reasonable. You can also make your own... I guess that's if you compare your weight + things you'll load to your fabrication skills, but if you want a less expensive side ladder that might be the way to go. Try the search above, there is a post on a homemade ladder somewhere.
__________________
it was good to be back
jage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-04-2009, 08:43 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
scatter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Blairsden, CA (when not on the road)
Posts: 1,109
Re: Cheap accesories-tire carrier and ladder

I agree with Jage. Even a smaller tire and wheel weighs a lot. Hanging it on one of the door carrier types is looking for trouble in the future. Even a little driving down a rough road puts a lot of stress on the attachment points. Good luck with the project.
__________________
Scatter
You can be anything you want on the Internet,
it amazes me that so many choose stupid....

2007 RB50, 6.0
K1WGB
scatter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-04-2009, 09:05 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Ford_6L_E350's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Washington - Ridgefield
Posts: 4,728
Re: Cheap accesories-tire carrier and ladder

There is nothing wrong with the less expensive ladders. You can buy them from JC Whitney:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/Surco-Ladders/ ... 018335.jcw

As far as an inexpensive tire mount - I'd have to stay with the factory mount under the van. It works, it is cheap. You just need to check the cable and make sure it is not breaking strands.

Mike
__________________
Alaska to Key West, Labrador and more
Prostate cancer survivor. See Thread Prostate cancer and Sportsmobiles
2015 VW GTI 2020 Fiat 124 Spider
2012 E250 Hitop camper
Ford_6L_E350 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-04-2009, 10:20 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
surfgeek33's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Long Beach, Ca
Posts: 985
Send a message via AIM to surfgeek33
Re: Cheap accesories-tire carrier and ladder

Hi Tom,

I'm about 220 lbs. and I can vouch for the Aluminess Ladder's strength. The Ladder carries myself and our Honda 2000 Generator when I'm placing it on our roof rack without feeling unsafe. It just feels great to have something sturdy under your feet when loading a 30-40 lbs equipment plus your weight.

Regarding the tire carrier. Aluminess makes the strongest carrier IMHO. We have a 35" tire on our carrier with out any problems. Also it looks cool

One last important thing, Aluminess Products make sure the customer is happy! This is the reason why they have such a strong following. I always believe in the saying,"You get what you pay for!"

Just my 2cents. Good luck!

Ray
__________________
???

"I do, cellularSTEVE" :o)
surfgeek33 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-04-2009, 11:37 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
carringb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
Re: Cheap accesories-tire carrier and ladder

The less expensive door mount ladders work just fine. I used to have one.

Just make it clear to anyone traveling with you not to climb the ladder with the door open. The hinges may not take the weight if the door is open. If it is closed, not a problem. I recommend putting the ladder on the driver side rear door. It has latches top and bottom, so it can support more weight.
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
carringb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-04-2009, 04:00 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 351
Re: Cheap accesories-tire carrier and ladder

Thanks all.

Sounds like the ladder may work but the tire needs to stay under the van until I can afford the aluminess. That's to bad, I need the storage space.

I've got a 2 inch draw tite hitch under the van and a 5000 bumper hitch. I plan on pulling a light boat (less than approx 1000 lbs total/150 tongue) with the bumper hitch so I can't use a cargo carrier on the draw tite hitch.

It may be time to start looking at roof racks....

Tom
__________________
Tom
Austin, Texas
1995 SMB E250
bluedog225 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-06-2009, 09:27 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 173
Re: Cheap accesories-tire carrier and ladder

Tom, if you have a front hitch reciever, you can get a spare tire carrier that fits in the reciever, and carry the tire in front. Check out www.etrailer.com

Tom
__________________
2005 SMB RB 50 4X4 w/ a 6.0 PSD
flyfisher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2009, 06:17 AM   #9
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 7
Re: Cheap accesories-tire carrier and ladder

Hey everyone, am new to forum thought I would throw in my 2 cents. To bluedog225, I have a 95 E250 Sportsmobile Contempo top, w/ 144000 mi., 351W, 373 rear posi. Bought it 2 years ago and have enjoyed every day. Lovenly maintained and EVERYTHING still works, and is in really great cond, body and mech., had and still has minor rear main seal leak but burns no oil and when I say leak I mean about 1 or 2 oz. every thousand. Sportsmobile Austin owner built it for his stepmother. Looks to have been garage kept most of its life and still is today. Have original 2.8 Onan which by the way runs like new "98 hrs,", so they put the spare on the drivers side door. Been there since day one, attached w/ 4 bolts through the door. Tire is LT225R16 E rated, no rattles, squeeks, and door is still perfectly alligned with no signs of stress on the hinges. Ladder hooks over the top of passenger side door and is bolted at the bottom. I only weigh 175 so it's never been a problem for me to climb on it. Sorry to ramble on but I really and truely love my Sportsmobile. An amazing vehicle for sure. Great forum, and great members, Thanks
bobbyv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2009, 05:19 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 351
Re: Cheap accesories-tire carrier and ladder

Thanks Bobby. Sounds like a similar rig. Are you saying it bolts through door with no separate swing away cage? is there a bracket? Pics would be great.

Tom
__________________
Tom
Austin, Texas
1995 SMB E250
bluedog225 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:26 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.