A recent viral video showed two men in Florida transporting a ladder on their car.  Unremarkable, you may think, until you see the clip.  They don't have a roof rack, but instead both men are sitting on the same side of the car, one behind the driver.  They both have an arm out of the window, holding the ladder down on the roof.  It seems that they had a good grip because there are no reports of a ladder being found on the road; given the high number of such incidents, it is quite something that they did not accidentally let go and send the ladder flying in to traffic.

A roof rack is essential for transporting a ladder.  Without one it is impossible to properly secure your ladder to the outside of the vehicle, which may get you in trouble with the police.  Simply tying a ladder to the frame of the car is not a good solution, as a hard stop could cause the ladder to move violently forwards, shooting off the car and causing damage to anything nearby.  Similarly, even with a roof rack, you should always ensure that the ladder is securely attached to the frame.  Tying it on with a rope is reasonably safe, ratchet straps are the best equipment to use for this, as they provide adequate tension to ensure the ladder will not move.  The drawback to this approach is that the ladder has to be removed and secured overnight, as it is open to theft otherwise.  For domestic ladder users who only need to transport a ladder occasionally this is fine, as the ladder is not kept on the vehicle overnight.

Trade users may find that taking their ladders off every night, moving them into the house (taking up space in the hallway) and putting them back on every morning is a hassle.  For the sake of £13.50 (ex. VAT) this inconvenience can be removed with a pair of ladder clamps.  These padlocking accessories are great for anyone who regularly uses and transports ladders, as they provide great security allowing the ladder to be left on the van overnight. 

These clamps can be used to secure up to three ladders to a roof rack, which is plenty of capacity for most ladder users.  They are zinc plated, so will not rust even when exposed to the elements all year round.  The quick spinning locking bars mean the ladders can be attached in seconds, as opposed to the lengthy ordeal of securing them with ropes and straps.  The padlocks supplied are heavy duty, but can be replaced with the lock of your choice should you need additional security.  These sturdy clamps cannot be removed or cut through easily, so they will act as a deterrent to even the most determined of thieves.

These same clamps are available from a popular hardware store for £20, and other, more expensive models are available although they do the same job.  We have some of the lowest prices online for ladder clamps with free delivery, so if you are in the market for a great ladder accessory that will make your life easier you can buy from us with confidence.