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Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

What do you use to tie down your ladder?

Roof Cleaning Missouri 417-230-8103 · Guest

I use motorcycle tie downs , have for yrs, not the ratchet type

http://www.totalcargocontrol.com/ATV-amp-Motorcycles/Tiedown-Straps/

Toy2 · Guest

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD wrote:
Guys,
I'm looking for some options to switch my current sorry system that I use to secure my ladder to my ladder rack. I use 4 straps from home depot with the hooks on each end and it stinks. Since I purchased a cheapo ladder rack, they are constantly moving and I have to resecure them often.
What do you guys use to hold your ladder (s) in place?

Phil

I used to use pieces of electrical wire, but it looks tacky, I'm trying to find something that they sell now-its almost like it, has foam and twists like a big wire-better than a bungee cord-

Guest

Hey Phil,..the simplest thing I've found,..and the easiest to use is a simple peice of chain,..and a quick type of clip,..like the ones used for dogs.

Been using this to hold my ladders down for years.

I have seen people use the ratchet straps and bungee cords,..I hate bungee cords,..and the ratchet straps are way to much work,..I don't know where people think ladders are going to go,..but they way over do it with ratchet straps,..Ha,Ha...

It would be one thing also if you only got your ladder off once a every two weeks or something,..but we get them off about everyday..

Jeff

-- Edited by Raystown Roof Cleaning Central PA 1-800-236-0322 on Monday 11th of April 2011 01:06:44 PM

Art O · Guest

I've been using a close line with a loop. Threw loop over the rack and ladder. Put the line threw the loop and tie a 1/2 bow. I havn't lost a ladder yet!

Apsurfacesolutions · Guest

Art O wrote:
I've been using a close line with a loop. Threw loop over the rack and ladder. Put the line threw the loop and tie a 1/2 bow. I havn't lost a ladder yet!

Make sure what you use meets your state dot requirements I don't think a rope meets NY State requirements.

Art O · Guest

Screw the DOT!

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

Thanks, Guys.. Jeff, I will look for something like that this week. The straps take WAY TOO LONG! I swear it takes me 10 minutes sometimes to tie everything down. I know there is a better way than what I am doing.

Guest

Phil,..most hardware stores will cut chain to whatever length you need. Just use a peice of string or something to get your measuerment,..and go get however many peices you need. also buy those "extra" link thngs for attaching the clip.

I usually just get the size of chain kinda' like on a swing. But,..whatever you choose will be fine. To keep the ladders from sliding sideways,..you can get creative with your chain by taking it around the outside "ear" and then through the rungs,..if you choose to use this method,..your chain will have to be longer to do this.,..You can also simply add a little peice of steel to the ladder rack where you want the ladder to stop. I think they sell those things,..but I'm sure you can come up with something aside from purchasing them.

Jeff

-- Edited by Raystown Roof Cleaning Central PA 1-800-236-0322 on Monday 11th of April 2011 01:59:56 PM

Roger · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

Been tying ladders off with the rubber bungee cords .

Has been working for me for 34 years ! Just remember to replace

when they get weather checked , and don't let them slip out of your

hand when strapping down ladder !

Guest

Hey Roger,,..yes,..I used bungee cords,..way long ago,..hated them things attacking you when they slip,..Ha,Ha...

Yea,..really though,..whatever works,...these threads are good because they disclose a lot of ideas,..

Jeff

Kleen Roof and Exterior Cleaning · Apr 11, 2011

The foam covered big twist ties you are looking for can be bought at The Container Store in Chicago. I was there Friday and picked up a couple when I seen them. I thought the same thing, Should be great for tying down the ladder

Roger · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

Had one slip out of my hand and gashed me right above my eye.

They can be dangerous, wear your safety glasses

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX · Guest

We actually dont strap our down hmm

We use fiberglass ladders and they are heavy enough not to move. On our ladder rack on the softwash skid, there is a 18" pipe that keeps it from sliding forward and back. We lock it at night but thats it.

Guest

Hey Scott,.. several years ago I drove about 30 miles with my fiberglass ladder not chained down,..My neighbor borrowed it and when he put it back on didn't chain it,...BECAUSE,..I said i would get it,..Ha,Ha.. I forgot... 30 miles later,..ladder never came off. We were getting out to begin work,..my brother said "WOW'..you're fast",..I said whys that,...he said,..you got the ladder unhooked already,...I said,..I must be livin' right...

P.S. I hate fiberglass ladders,..I rarely get it off anymore,..I like the stability,..but they are HEAVY!!!

Jeff

-- Edited by Raystown Roof Cleaning Central PA 1-800-236-0322 on Monday 11th of April 2011 02:55:22 PM

aaron61 · Guest

Plain old bungees for years.Not the rubber ones though.Just remember you DO NOT need to make them too freekin tight! Just snug.I watch my guys pullin on them things and I can't believe it. I tell them a hundred times that just wears them out and one day it's gonna snap & put an eye out.

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

Thanks for all of the feedback, guys. This will be helpful for others, too. I don't know what I was thinking with these ratchet strap majiggers, they are a huge pain.

Guest

Phil,..you were thinking,.."I don't want my ladders to fly off"

Jeff

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

Jeff, that's true! There have been a lot of things that I have thought... then had to rethink... since starting this business. That just goes to show that it's hard to know what will actually work for you until you get out there and start doing the work.

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX · Guest

Raystown Roof Cleaning Central PA 1-800-236-0322 wrote:
Hey Scott,.. several years ago I drove about 30 miles with my fiberglass ladder not chained down,..My neighbor borrowed it and when he put it back on didn't chain it,...BECAUSE,..I said i would get it,..Ha,Ha.. I forgot... 30 miles later,..ladder never came off. We were getting out to begin work,..my brother said "WOW'..you're fast",..I said whys that,...he said,..you got the ladder unhooked already,...I said,..I must be livin' right...

P.S. I hate fiberglass ladders,..I rarely get it off anymore,..I like the stability,..but they are HEAVY!!!

Jeff

-- Edited by Raystown Roof Cleaning Central PA 1-800-236-0322 on Monday 11th of April 2011 02:55:22 PM

They are VERY heavy, but they are super stable and I dont have to carry them. LOL.

I drove it back from Florida 16 hours without straps, we drive it around everyday here, and I just made the trip to Ft Worth, and they are solid as a rock.

p.s. I got your message. I didnt mean to call when I did, I think I butt dialed. lol

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"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"