Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

Doug Rucker · Vender

Ladder Tie Downs

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

West Marine sells it Doug and Yes it was Hanks Post

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Doug if west marine has it. You can be sure it is overpriced. Sometimes by double. Online would be best or some walmarts have a decent boat section that you can save some $$$ on the same item

SprayWash · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Doug, we use locks and chains.

I had an unfortunate "trailer detachment" episode once....watched my ladder plow through a car windshield after trailer came to rest lodged into the front bumper of a Scion parked on the side of the road.

Ladder was ratcheted to rack, still broke the strap.

Thank God it was 4 AM, and no one was around to get injured. He was looking out for me!

After that episode chains and locks became SOP for Spray Wash.

I also believe there was a large pest control company in Central Florida who had either a death or serious injury when their ladder detached during a wreck.

Dave O · Retired Member

SprayWash wrote:
Doug, we use locks and chains.

I had an unfortunate "trailer detachment" episode once....watched my ladder plow through a car windshield after trailer came to rest lodged into the front bumper of a Scion parked on the side of the road.

Ladder was ratcheted to rack, still broke the strap.

Thank God it was 4 AM, and no one was around to get injured. He was looking out for me!

After that episode chains and locks became SOP for Spray Wash.

I also believe there was a large pest control company in Central Florida who had either a death or serious injury when their ladder detached during a wreck.

Ray, thank God indeed. Your story has prompted me to pause and re-think my current setup. First of all if you don't mind please explain how the trailer became detached. Did you ensure the hitch was locked over the ball? Were you using the safety chains? I'm not looking to find fault I just want to see what I can do to better mitigate a disaster. Secondly I use bungee cords to tie down my ladders. Based on your experience I may replace the bungee cords with chains.

SprayWash · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Was heading to a job at 4 AM. Went through an intersection that had a raised hump. I guess my safety pin had fallen out. It was my mistake for not checking it before I left, but like I said it was early and I was not necessarily at the top of my game. As I went through this intersection I felt the trailer jump off the ball. Felt the safety chains grab and started applying brakes to try and slow trailer down. One safety chain snapped the other detached as trailer got slack and I watched the trailer pass me. It was traveling at about 20 miles an hour whenever it slammed into a car parked on the side of the road. Ladder was tied to rack with a ratchet strap and a bungee cord, it snapped both of them.

When it was all said and done, the car was totaled, my trailer was trashed, and we were pulling the ladder out of the windshield of the car. Thank God it was early in the morning and there was nobody out on the streets. It could have worked out a lot worse for me, it was just an insurance claim and nobody was hurt, thank God!

ironically I had driven about 10 miles and gone through several other intersections, speed bumps, etc. with no problems whatsoever before this accident happened. It taught me some valuable lessons, the first of which is to always double check the trailer hitch.

The city did at a later time go back and smooth out that intersection and get rid of the hump.

Doug Rucker · Vender

SprayWash wrote:
Doug, we use locks and chains.

I had an unfortunate "trailer detachment" episode once....watched my ladder plow through a car windshield after trailer came to rest lodged into the front bumper of a Scion parked on the side of the road.

Ladder was ratcheted to rack, still broke the strap.

Thank God it was 4 AM, and no one was around to get injured. He was looking out for me!

After that episode chains and locks became SOP for Spray Wash.

I also believe there was a large pest control company in Central Florida who had either a death or serious injury when their ladder detached during a wreck.

So chains only??? How do you get them snugged down? seems they would be a little loose.

SprayWash · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Just chains....don't mind hearing the rattle I guess.

Patrick G · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I chain mine down...even if next job is around the corner, I would feel horrible if the ladder came off and hurt someone. I always stay clear of guys on the highways with ladders on top....you know how some people don't give a ****. Also trailer has a locking pin, have heard horror stories like rays.

Dave O · Retired Member

Thanks for sharing your story Ray. This is one of the values of a forum such as this where we can all share our experiences and learn from each other!

Accuwash · Approved Exterior Cleaner

We used to use chains, now we use 1/2" rope. Bungee cords a re good way for a worker to get wiped in the face and get an easy comp claim

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Doug Rucker wrote:
Someone, Somewhere, and I think it was here, and I think it was Hank, posted about a ratcheting tie town that they use. I think the tie down is actually used for a boat. Trying to find that post if anyone can help. I would like to purchase the tie down.

Hank should be back soon. He broke his wrist and can't type. Poor guy got Kidney stones and now broke his wrist. Get well Hank.

SprayWash · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Dang, I hate to hear that about Hank! He's really a quality guy!

Patrick G · Approved Exterior Cleaner

How did he break his wrist...was he near a wall?

Dan Dykstra · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Ray,
thanks for the info about locking down the ladders, We now lock them down every time we move the truck.

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

bungee cords are a bad idea, they can break when the ladder bounces while driving.

Years ago i had to dodge a 24ft ladder in the middle of the L.I.E. at 70mph with the box truck!
almost flipped the truck

Doug Rucker · Vender

Art O wrote:
Doug Rucker wrote:
Someone, Somewhere, and I think it was here, and I think it was Hank, posted about a ratcheting tie town that they use. I think the tie down is actually used for a boat. Trying to find that post if anyone can help. I would like to purchase the tie down.
Hank should be back soon. He broke his wrist and can't type. Poor guy got Kidney stones and now broke his wrist. Get well Hank.

Dang Hank, get well soon and get a voice actuated computer...no one will ever know your not typing.