Accessing roof racks

[jjbarry]

Guys

We have just installed ourselves a new rhino rack tray on the prado - we were looking at getting the ladder for access but the price scared us off. In addition we will have trouble mounting the ladder as either side will have an awning and pvc fishing rod holder - just wondering what peoples thoughts are and what you use to access your rooftop.

Thanks

Baz 

[cheif carlos]

Open your back door, use fridge or in my case rear storage I have built a cage around the fridge and use this to get up on roof with. 
Cheers

Jason   

[woftam]

Depends what you're doing on the rack.
To access the rooftop tent straps & zips and a few other light items I either open the rear door and stand on the drawers or open the side doors and stand on the false floor (same height as drawers). If I need to access the topbox on the front for heavy/awkward items (eg Coleman HWOD) I use the ladder. Don't know if it was worth the money but certainly easier if both hands occupied.

[oldmate]

I leave my rear doors closed, step onto rear bar, then onto the closed swing arm (spare wheel) the onto the roof, or can have doors open and use fridge as a step

[GUEY]

I have the rhino ladder for mine. It has been up in the floor joists at at home for the last 4 years.
You can work around the awnings ok, but the biggest issue is storage for the ladder itself when everything else is packed up.
Most overseas models have a ladder that is bolted to or through the rear door. Might be worth a look.
I just stand on whatever helps me reach these days. Window sill, tyre, fridge box etc.

[edz]

Chinese engineer a set of these or fleabay them http://www.mudstuff.co.uk/blog/2012/02/16/spare-tyre-step/

[Beachman]

If we have the camper trailer I use the step ladder we use to access the bed, otherwise I stand on the towbar from the back or I stand on my rear tyres to access the roof basket. Neither are perfect and standing on the back tyres does get slippery when they are covered in sand.   

[HKB Electronics]

I have one of those steps you hang over the wheel, it works well.

[nisnav]

I usually take the shovel out dig a huge hole and park in it, I find getting the roof to about 900mm off the floor is perfect,

Of course this is more awkward when in a paved carpark but not impossible 

[Darcy7]

try one of these:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/161416350836?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=107