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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: paul mather on January 11, 2007, 05:21:43 pm

Title: Ladders blew off van today!
Post by: paul mather on January 11, 2007, 05:21:43 pm
Driving along this morning & a huge gust of wind caught my ladders & blew them off the van, luckily on to the grass verge & away from the road, so no damage done.

Anyone else have any mishaps due to the bad weather today.
Title: Re: Ladders blew off van today!
Post by: tatman on January 11, 2007, 05:24:06 pm
no mate because most of us dont work in this weather :o Aint worth the risks.
Title: Re: Ladders blew off van today!
Post by: jeff1 on January 11, 2007, 05:24:18 pm
Paul what do you use to keep your ladders on your van?

I use the ladder clamps, they don't go anywere with them.

Glad no one was hurt, or the police wern't behind you.
Title: Re: Ladders blew off van today!
Post by: paul mather on January 11, 2007, 05:28:11 pm
Bungee straps, never had a problem with them before, most annoying thing is I very rarely ladders since going WFP so could have taken them off this morning.
Title: Re: Ladders blew off van today!
Post by: jeff1 on January 11, 2007, 05:33:26 pm
You tight old bu***r you  ;D ;D ;D

Buy some clamps, must admit though I took my ladders of 2 weeks ago, when I changed to the dark side,  and I hope I don't have to  put them on that often.
Title: Re: Ladders blew off van today!
Post by: S_RICHARDSON on January 11, 2007, 05:45:08 pm
Ladder Clamps are a must mate! Just incase the next time this happens they DO go into the road and cause some serious damage!

Shaun R. :)
Title: Re: Ladders blew off van today!
Post by: Sunshine Cleaning on January 11, 2007, 06:54:33 pm
Not bungee's, I knew a cleaner who lost an eye using them.

Buy some ladder clamps please.


Title: Re: Ladders blew off van today!
Post by: s.hughes on January 11, 2007, 10:39:01 pm
I've always used bungees as I find it faster to get the ladder on and off with them.

Steve
Title: Re: Ladders blew off van today!
Post by: KarlJones on January 11, 2007, 10:56:40 pm
Ask someone who is ex military and they will tell you their is two types of bungie.  One is a short fat type that is well made and expensive, very strong and reliable with a million uses.  The other is long thin and no more than a piece of elastic with hooks on the end (usually with a colouful design) that will take your eye out.


Title: Re: Ladders blew off van today!
Post by: Paul Coleman on January 11, 2007, 10:59:22 pm
Driving along this morning & a huge gust of wind caught my ladders & blew them off the van, luckily on to the grass verge & away from the road, so no damage done.

Anyone else have any mishaps due to the bad weather today.

I use the ladder clamps that others have mentioned as I don't need to remove the ladders much these days.  However, when I was removing the ladder a lot more often, I used straps with quick release buckles.  You can get them in Halfords.  You may also need something attached to the roof bars/rack to prevent sideways movement.  I used to use Thule roofbars and some triangle shaped pieces plus the above mentioned straps.  These days I have the clamps.  The roofbars have a couple of bracketsd where the previous owner had attached a pole holder.  This stops sideways movement.
Really it depends what arrangement you currently have so you can adapt it to your needs.
Title: Re: Ladders blew off van today!
Post by: s.hughes on January 12, 2007, 08:23:56 am
to prevent sideway movement I put exaughst clamps on the roof bars. These are free from any tyre place and since I started using then every other w/c has caught on. These just bolt onto the bars and the ladder will never move.

Steve
Title: Re: Ladders blew off van today!
Post by: S_RICHARDSON on January 12, 2007, 08:29:51 am
to prevent sideway movement I put exaughst clamps on the roof bars. These are free from any tyre place and since I started using then every other w/c has caught on. These just bolt onto the bars and the ladder will never move.

Steve
Any pictures Steve, I don't know what you mean? ;)

Shaun R.
Title: Re: Ladders blew off van today!
Post by: KarlJones on January 12, 2007, 10:36:07 am
I should think he means...
http://www.bhushanexpo.com/pcat-gifs/products-small/clamps1.jpg

Actually if you could find a long U bolt and a couple of wing nuts to go with that clamp it would be a pretty good way to lock a rung to the bars anyway.

Title: Re: Ladders blew off van today!
Post by: s.hughes on January 12, 2007, 12:54:48 pm
Karls right their the ones. You can get them from halfords but you have to pay for them. Just ask for them when you have a tyre changed. Put them on with the bolts upright and they will hold the ladder solid.

Steve
Title: Re: Ladders blew off van today!
Post by: S_RICHARDSON on January 12, 2007, 03:37:19 pm
Cheers Lads I know what you mean now!  :D


Shaun!
Title: Re: Ladders blew off van today!
Post by: dai on January 12, 2007, 04:44:57 pm
I use bungy rope. You can by it at many builders merchants by the metre.
I don't use hooks on it, just tie loops in the ends and loop it over the roof bar.
Title: Re: Ladders blew off van today!
Post by: Central Window Cleaners on January 15, 2007, 11:40:42 am
I use ladder clamps. but when i am going from job to job I use a small ratchet strap which you can get from the local market or I found mine in poundland. I also have some load stoppers bolted to my roof bars to stop sideways movement like these on ebay Item number: 130068004529
Title: Re: Ladders blew off van today!
Post by: mike richardson on January 15, 2007, 05:20:26 pm
save the hassle buy an ex bt van with the roof rack on top its brill pull the ropes & the ladders are off easy as pie & they never move at all,you never have to climbup either
Title: Re: Ladders blew off van today!
Post by: CWCS on January 17, 2007, 11:53:07 pm
Paul what do you use to keep your ladders on your van?

I use the ladder clamps, they don't go anywere with them.

Glad no one was hurt, or the police wern't behind you.
i use ladder clamps put them on tight trouble is wind lifted van 10ft off ground :o :o ;)