Jerry Can Ladder Thingymabob feedback needed

[sleeoffroad]

Ok, here are some pics of a new Jerry Can/ Ladder we are working on for the dual swing-out for the 100. We decided on this design because all the designs I saw out there made the ladder obsolete once you added the jerry cans. Also the pockets in the holders can be used for other storage as well. Parts boxes, toolboxes etc. The flat surfaces also make an ideal spot for mounting brackets for spades, axes and all kinds of McGyver goodies.

This is essentially a modular system that bolts to the 2nd swing-out arm. You can install one or two or none (in case you want to build something different).

The Jerry can fits inside the ladder and will be secured with a clip on strap that holds the can into the basket. The ladder will also have an optional drop down step that will allow shorter people to reach the ladder section.

So, let us have some comments on this. This is still a prototype to test concept.

 

[hks3sgte]

Great idea! What's the total weight?

 

[sleeoffroad]

Haven't put it on the scale yet, but one person can carry the complete swing-out and both holders pretty easily.

 

[hoser]

Nice idea! I think I'd like to see the top curve more towards the vehicle for two reasons... 1) it seems like it would be a small leap from the top step to the roof rack 2) it is easier to climb at a an angle rather than straight up. The bottom step could also come out a little further, again for easier climbing angle and would make the steps equidistant from eachother. Maybe add an additional top hoop as a handle when stepping up to the top step.

 

[hkeller]

Slee: You guys rock! I have been so impressed with you by reading this forum.

I agee with having it angled in a bit. In current form, it just sticks out too far. Looks like you would catch a lot of wood debris in it on the trail. Otherwise, looks good.

 

[spressomon]

The upper step of the ladder, because the design appears perpendicular to the ground, seems to be a fair distance from where the rear side of a roof rack would reside. I just don't know how useful it would be real world compared to a ladder than follows the rear hatch contour more closely allowing a person to better access a roof rack.

 

[jonah]

look kind of deep but killer no question.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

So, let us have some comments on this. This is still a prototype to test concept.

You asked....

Clean design, well executed, ugly as hell. It kind of jacks the clean line of the rear of the 100. Kind of like a step ladder on the back. I don't like it, but then, I don't drive a 100 series.

 

[sleeoffroad]

Nice idea! I think I'd like to see the top curve more towards the vehicle for two reasons... 1) it seems like it would be a small leap from the top step to the roof rack 2) it is easier to climb at a an angle rather than straight up. The bottom step could also come out a little further, again for easier climbing angle and would make the steps equidistant from eachother. Maybe add an additional top hoop as a handle when stepping up to the top step.

Thanks for all the comments guys, except Andrew. It seems like it stick far out the back, but in fact it is closer than a tire on a tire carrier

That said, to have the top one closer to the body would be nice, but currently both cradles are the same, so that means more units of the same item to produce and we only have to stock one kind. That means cheaper to the consumer. I am still looking at the option to still only have one piece, but stackable with an offset.

The bottom step was a quick test to see how it work. It will be made to stick out as far as it could and still work in on the same carrier.

We do intend to add a hoop on the top step to grab on then 2nd step.

 

[sleeoffroad]

The upper step of the ladder, because the design appears perpendicular to the ground, seems to be a fair distance from where the rear side of a roof rack would reside. I just don't know how useful it would be real world compared to a ladder than follows the rear hatch contour more closely allowing a person to better access a roof rack.

I can see that. In real life it is closer than it appears on the photos, however that is part of the process to see if it works in practice.

 

[sleeoffroad]

look kind of deep but killer no question.

Deep as in far out from the back of the truck? Actually the back end is closer than the back of the tire when mounted on the tire carrier. I am reworking the tire carrier portion as well, that is why it is not on there.

 

[sleeoffroad]

You asked....

Clean design, well executed, ugly as hell.

Wait until I break out the dimple dies Actually, I think this will be a big hit on the Hummer circuit Actually it is a little overpowering for me as well, but I am sure if you add the tire carrier portion then it will not stand out as much.

It kind of jacks the clean line of the rear of the 100. Kind of like a step ladder on the back. I don't like it, but then, I don't drive a 100 series.

I have been stuck for a long time on how to produce a dual swingout that works for jerry cans and a ladder. I have not seen any that offers a ladder that is easy to use with jerry cans. The typical tube style ones leave very little for a foothold. Also, the way we did this is that the 2nd arm will be supplied with a flange to bolt this to. So it would be easy for people to produce their own add-on parts on the carrier if the do not like this.

 

[calamaridog]

Does it work with Wedco cans too, or just the Scepter cans. The reason I ask, is I would not hesitate to lay a Wedco on it's side like that but not 100% comfortable with the Scepter...

Other than that, I do like the modular concept. I wouldn't drive to the mall with it on but it would be perfect for trips.

 

[2badfjs]

i think it's a real good start christo. i like the swing down step alot.
a bit bulky.
keep the steps the same and the fuel cans in place but tube the handles maybe.
it might take some of the bulky look away.

i want to see you climb it, not joey

nice work as always

 

[e9999]

interesting
some good thinking into that
a bit massive looking for just 2 cans
cuts off a lot of rearward visibility
Having a modular system with a base that one could add anything to would be terrific.

I don't need to climb onto my roof rack very much, though. If I do, a slim aluminum deployable ladder a la RTT that I could hook to any side of the rack for climbing or loading would be nice and versatile. A way to store same on a swingout or the rack itself would be great.

Or for a fixed ladder I could also see a wide tray with a step in the back (maybe a flexible rope hanging step like dozers) and a ladder attached to the front of the tray (toward the front of the car) curving up towards the roof rack. You could put a cooler or 3 metal gas cans in the tray and just step on the cooler or on the cans when there to reach the ladder. Having a big tray fairly high up to carry stuff is a big plus in my book.

It's great to see you always think outside the box and try new stuff. Good job!


added: another line of thought: a more typical ladder and a system to hang metal cans or trays to the ladder rungs? would be easy to remove cans to use ladder and shallower with the cans on it..

 

[Zane]

I like it! I will be buying a rear bumper from you in the next two months, but what are the chances that you could sell me a rear bumper with tire carrier plus the second spindle to support the jerry can/ladder when it comes available down the road?

Come to think of it, you would have to send me a different tire carrier that off sets the spare to the right as well, but if it can be done I would do it.

More than likely not, but I have to ask!

Zane

 

[sleeoffroad]

Does it work with Wedco cans too, or just the Scepter cans. The reason I ask, is I would not hesitate to lay a Wedco on it's side like that but not 100% comfortable with the Scepter...

It should, the military metal cans that I have are smaller then than the Scepter cans. Not sure if they are Wedco or not. If you can measure one, I can confirm that it will work.

Other than that, I do like the modular concept. I wouldn't drive to the mall with it on but it would be perfect for trips.

Thanks,

 

[sleeoffroad]

i think it's a real good start christo. i like the swing down step alot.
a bit bulky.

It looks bulky in the pics, but it is really not that big. Some of the dimensions are features will change, but the basic box for the can has to stay the same for obvious reasons. We also wanted a step that is wide enough to step on comfortably and not fall or slip.

keep the steps the same and the fuel cans in place but tube the handles maybe.
it might take some of the bulky look away.

The handles need some refinement. I doubt they would be tube, but we are going to work on the sizing. I also have to come up with a way to stagger the boxes and still only retain one part.

i want to see you climb it, not joey

I did, and amazingly it did not break off. So it does pass the fatboy test.

nice work as always

Thanks.

 

[sleeoffroad]

interesting
some good thinking into that
a bit massive looking for just 2 cans

Yes, but it also offers a full ladder and a lot of space to mount other stuff.

cuts off a lot of rearward visibility

Not much more than any of the other offerings out there. It also does not impede on departure angle. The traditional 3 basket system has to be mounted so high to not impede on departure angle so the net effect is about the same. We have the advantage that the load is centered over the swingout arm making it less likely to bounce and reduces the leverage effect a lot.

Having a modular system with a base that one could add anything to would be terrific.

The way we are doing it we will be able to offer a traditional 3 can basket lower down for people that are not that concerned with departure angle, or do not need a ladder.

I don't need to climb onto my roof rack very much, though. If I do, a slim aluminum deployable ladder a la RTT that I could hook to any side of the rack for climbing or loading would be nice and versatile.
A way to store same on a swingout or the rack itself would be great.

A small ladder that slides under the roofrack is an interesting concept. However they typically will not pass the fatboy test

Or for a fixed ladder I could also see a wide tray with a step in the back (maybe a flexible rope hanging step like dozers) and a ladder attached to the front of the tray (toward the front of the car) curving up towards the roof rack. You could put a cooler or 3 metal gas cans in the tray and just step on the cooler or on the cans when there to reach the ladder.

That is doable but it sticks out really far.

RE: the following comments, please do not take this as a slam or a critique against their product or their design. I am only posting this for comparison purposes to illustrate why we did the design the way we did.

If you did tried to lower that setup so you can step over it, it sticks out really far. Granted they have 3 cans and we have two, but what we try to avoid is that much leverage on the spindle. I know that there are a lot of Hanna bumpers out there like this and working flawlessly, but in design we always try to reduce stesses on the pars as much as we can.

Having a big tray fairly high up to carry stuff is a big plus in my book.

The arm will be supplied kinda like the pic above, so custom work will be easy to attach.

It's great to see you always think outside the box and try new stuff. Good job!

We try to.

added: another line of thought: a more typical ladder and a system to hang metal cans or trays to the ladder rungs? would be easy to remove cans to use ladder and shallower with the cans on it..

One of the main design criteria was to make a ladder where you do not have to remove the cans. I think if you have to remove the cans, the ladder will not be used.

 

[sleeoffroad]

I like it! I will be buying a rear bumper from you in the next two months, but what are the chances that you could sell me a rear bumper with tire carrier plus the second spindle to support the jerry can/ladder when it comes available down the road?

Zane, this prototype might be available in that time frame.

Come to think of it, you would have to send me a different tire carrier that off sets the spare to the right as well, but if it can be done I would do it.

More than likely not, but I have to ask!

Zane

The tire will be offset to the right with a maximum of a 35" tire.