cartercd
SILVER Star
I have been hunting for bridging ladders for some time and found:
a) the ones available from various offroad outfitters are very expensive ($250)
b) you don't save much going to distributors of molded fiberglass grating because they aren't interested in dealing with such small pieces
c) I didn't have any luck getting the local molded fiberglass grating distributor to cough up any scrap pieces.
I eventually found someone on e-bay who was selling used grating (and used is as good as new for this purpose) for $12/s.f. I have a few tips to offer if you plan to buy something like this:
a) I would not buy anything less than 2" thick. Molded grating is typically available in 1" and 1.5" thicknesses as well, but I think that is a bit thin.
b) When you order grating be sure and specify you want the edges "banded" or "closed". The first time I ordered I just said I wanted 36" x 12". This resulted in the edges being "open” instead of a smooth perimeter around the entire ladder.
c) I would recommend 12" wide and at least 36" long. Don't go too long, or there will be too much deflection at the center when loaded. I'd keep it between 36"-48".
The ladders only weigh about 4 pounds/s.f., which make them a lightweight tool for helping out with approach/departure angles, bridging ruts, and getting traction in sand and mud.
a) the ones available from various offroad outfitters are very expensive ($250)
b) you don't save much going to distributors of molded fiberglass grating because they aren't interested in dealing with such small pieces
c) I didn't have any luck getting the local molded fiberglass grating distributor to cough up any scrap pieces.
I eventually found someone on e-bay who was selling used grating (and used is as good as new for this purpose) for $12/s.f. I have a few tips to offer if you plan to buy something like this:
a) I would not buy anything less than 2" thick. Molded grating is typically available in 1" and 1.5" thicknesses as well, but I think that is a bit thin.
b) When you order grating be sure and specify you want the edges "banded" or "closed". The first time I ordered I just said I wanted 36" x 12". This resulted in the edges being "open” instead of a smooth perimeter around the entire ladder.
c) I would recommend 12" wide and at least 36" long. Don't go too long, or there will be too much deflection at the center when loaded. I'd keep it between 36"-48".
The ladders only weigh about 4 pounds/s.f., which make them a lightweight tool for helping out with approach/departure angles, bridging ruts, and getting traction in sand and mud.
