Opinions requested - ladder with stock roof rack, yay or nay?

[Karzir]

I have a full length roof rack on order, but have no idea how long it will be till it arrives. I ordered a Gobi ladder to go with it, which arrived very quickly. Now I'm debating on installing the ladder now or waiting. I know it's up to me but I value the opinions of you good folks!

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[meltdown]

Wait...

 

[uptheirons]

I would wait. Seems pointless to install before getting your rack, and like mentioned above, might invite someone to walk around on your bare roof...


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[blackie2]

No intention to flame anyone but can you guys explain to me why you need a ladder installed on your rig?

 

[wfo9]

No intention to flame anyone but can you guys explain to me why you need a ladder installed on your rig?

It's mainly looks.. Never understood it myself.

 

[weeeee]

Lol @ the bare roof comments.

 

[TravelWest01]

I use my ladder to climb up and move boxes around and strap everything down on my Gobi Rack. Ladder is very helpful.

 

[1engineer]

No intention to flame anyone but can you guys explain to me why you need a ladder installed on your rig?

Looks. I step on the tire when I want to get to the roof.

 

[jwkilgore]

No intention to flame anyone but can you guys explain to me why you need a ladder installed on your rig?

1) Looks
2) If you have a good solid roof rack that you actually use and can walk around on it provides much easier access.

As for the OP's question:
Con: It will be almost pointless with the factory rack, and probably look a little silly.
Pro: It will potentially aid in installation of the aftermarket rack, so install it first.

 

[wild_turkey]

Trasharoo

I actually installed my ladder a month or so before I received my baja rack. I use it to hang my trasharoo since I do not have a rear tire carrier. Compared to the cost of most baja rack accessory brackets, the $215 for the ladder seemed like a fairly inexpensive way to gain some functionality.

No intention to flame anyone but can you guys explain to me why you need a ladder installed on your rig?

 

[Blitzkrieg]

I just load my shit in the cavernous area behind the back set and I'm done.

 

[Jhalko]

Looks. I step on the tire when I want to get to the roof.

Don't use it much, but when I do it's sure as hell better than the alternative, I am getting to old not to use it for certain things.

I just load my shit in the cavernous area behind the back set and I'm done.

I've got two kids in car seats and a big dog, need more space.

For OP, I see no purpose in putting on without a rack where you will load stuff.

 

[codyHTX]

Now I'm debating on installing the ladder now or waiting.

[MENTION=118406]Haydenatx[/MENTION] had his gobi ladder for a while prior to installing the baja utility rack. i thought it still looked cool, he did transfer his yakima rack from his previous ride so it helped him loading/unloading. couple links with pics

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/2032403-post31.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/2118455-post45.html

 

[1engineer]

Don't use it much, but when I do it's sure as hell better than the alternative, I am getting to old not to use it for certain things.



I've got two kids in car seats and a big dog, need more space.

For OP, I see no purpose in putting on without a rack where you will load stuff.

C'mon John! You're 13 years younger than me haha.

 

[Karzir]

I held the ladder up and I think I'll wait for now. Its just frustrating to have it sitting here waiting to go with no idea when my drabbits rack may show up.

 

[Engineer]

I held the ladder up and I think I'll wait for now. Its just frustrating to have it sitting here waiting to go with no idea when my drabbits rack may show up.

So few problems with 4runners we get to have discussions on when to bolt on parts, poor Jeep guys ound:

I think waiting is the right call, without a rack it will look odd, and no reason to be up there anyways. It takes all of 10min to install so it wont save any time or make the project easier do the install early.

I think its useful though, even though I have used it all of a dozen times its much easier to get on the roof with a ladder vs. trying to climb up with a window rolled down. I will say though with sliders (could use door sills) and using the rear bumper ledge you can get to almost the entire roof without having to get "on" it.

Honestly I am surprised most of these old guys haven't transitioned to a Avalon or Highlander :fencing:

 

[1engineer]

So few problems with 4runners we get to have discussions on when to bolt on parts, poor Jeep guys ound:

I think waiting is the right call, without a rack it will look odd, and no reason to be up there anyways. It takes all of 10min to install so it wont save any time or make the project easier do the install early.

I think its useful though, even though I have used it all of a dozen times its much easier to get on the roof with a ladder vs. trying to climb up with a window rolled down. I will say though with sliders (could use door sills) and using the rear bumper ledge you can get to almost the entire roof without having to get "on" it.

Honestly I am surprised most of these old guys haven't transitioned to a Avalon or Highlander :fencing:

Then who would keep all you youngsters in line? :thumb:

 

[Jhalko]

You're 13 years younger than me haha.

My mom had 4 back surgeries at relatively young ages. Learned that anything I can do to avoid a back injury is worth it. Ie a small outlay for a ladder in a 40k truck that I stack stuff on sometimes, $200 ladder, why not!

 

[SSDuck8]

My .02, if you don't think you will use it, then I would wait. But waiting is so hard, trust me I understand.

 

[Ohio Hawk]

I think I would wait. Putting it on may make the wait for your rack seem longer. Anticipation is a dirty dog!