Building a boat trailer ladder.

[North Idaho Wolfman]

@North Idaho Wolfman, I ordered five of these this morning. Thanks for the suggestion and hopefully they won't spin on the rungs.

Rubber Tool, Pole Handle, Replacement Grip 1.25 X 11" Black | eBay

New black textured tool handle grip. 1.250" ID X 11.00" Length.090" +/- 0.10" wall thickness. # RG 1250 1100 010.

www.ebay.com

A little CA glue or contact cement.

 

[The Evil Twin]

Coming along nicely!
I was also going to recommend glue for the rung covers. Grip Glue (Renthal, Pro Taper) is specifically for adhering rubberized motorcycle grips to metal. It's pricey, and I'm sure there are other options.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Coming along nicely!
I was also going to recommend glue for the rung covers. Grip Glue (Renthal, Pro Taper) is specifically for adhering rubberized motorcycle grips to metal. It's pricey, and I'm sure there are other options.

A little pricey is relative to the situation.
Like holding ones grip doing 100+ MPH and then realizing that grip is not attached to a handle bar!
or
In this case having ones grip come loose and cracking a shin or ones privates on a rung!

 

[The Evil Twin]

A little pricey is relative to the situation.
Like holding ones grip doing 100+ MPH and then realizing that grip is not attached to a handle bar!
or
In this case having ones grip come loose and cracking a shin or ones privates on a rung!

I think I might rather crash my bike over crush the berries

 

[mcmxi]

One more update before finish welding, cleaning up and painting.

I capped off three rungs on both ends this morning, capped off the rungs already in place, and capped off the bottom of the upright. I also replaced the ugly bottom plate gusset with a piece of rectangular tubing and added a gusset to the bottom rung which is the only one that doesn't pass through the upright. After a quick test fit I'm happy with how it turned out and don't foresee any need to make additional changes.

This ladder is remarkably light as I said before but really strong. I have no concerns about anyone climbing up and down it.

The final update will be after I have it painted and the tool handle covers on the rungs.

 

[mcmxi]

Oh ... quite by accident the bottom of the ladder looks a bit like an anchor with the triangular gusset so it has a nautical look about it.

Thanks again to @The Evil Twin for making such a great suggestion with the rungs passing through the upright. This forum is awesome and one of the reasons I like sharing projects because someone will often come up with a much better mousetrap. With input from @North Idaho Wolfman re the tool handle covers I think this will be a really nice ladder.

 

[bird dogger]

That's looking mighty nice!!

 

[CGMKCM]

My past life was maintaining ships/boats in a salt water eviroment. We used to remove external ladders, rails etc and have them sprayed with bedliner material. It does a great job of protecting the metal and has great traction.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Nice Job man!!!

Front trailer ladders are very nice. I've had my fair share of boats and my current one came with a trailer ladder.

Your gonna be glad you did it.

This thread got me to thinking though.......I think I need a Mag Drill.