Defender OEM Ladder Broken after 2.5 years

Last Saturday, I was climbing down my ladder and both metal hinges broke. Both at the same time. The metal casting just noped right out of it under normal use, doing what I've done 100's of times before.

1000+ uses with my 190lb frame up and down it. I've been a big proponent of the design, it allows excellent side access to the entire rack, but clearly it is not as good as it should be.

LR were as helpful as a fart in a spacesuit.

Told them I bought OEM for its perceived quality/reliability over the bazillion cheaper Alibamazon offerings. They only offer a year warranty on parts purchased outside of original vehicle so I'm SOL. They helpfully offered to sell me another for $1190 plus tax. Hard pass. I'll not be buying any more LR "quality" products.

I was wondering if anyone had a broken ladder I could scavenge a hinge from. I made my two broken hinges into one working hinge and zip-ties for the other side. Looks fine but I'll just do without the lower 3 rungs. Tire will do.






2 become 1



Good as new. Patent Pending

 

aluminum casting?
technically hinge can be fabricated, not sure about the cost.

 

yes. Aluminum casting. Looked porous. From my phone call with parts it Sounds like LR are aware of this design flaw. Not an isolated failure it seems.

I have a hunch the majority of ladders installed never see any use so the cycle numbers to failure might take an eon or two.
I’ve seen some on Defenders with no rack or bars. Ladder to nowhere. 22” rims and RAI pair well with them.

seems like a ladder designed to snap without warning is a lawsuit in waiting

Very disappointing to see such bad quality in an OEM part. A true safety issue.

cheapest option may be to buy a knockoff for about 250-300 and use it for parts. 1 hinge.

 

I'm curious if the aftermarket are made with a stronger material for the hinge ?

 

Probably use an aged parmesan rather than OEM swiss.

 

This is def disappointing.

Pretty crazy metal failure on that part.

 

Oh no! I was actually about to order the OEM ladder because I thought it would hold up better. I have a 80lb fishing kayak I want to make easier to load. Toppling off the side with that on my shoulder would be hectic.

Are there any beefier AM ones? I saw the Front Runner one, but you need their rack.

 

Who makes it? Probably Thule?

 

No idea. Probably the same places that are churning out the knockoffs.

 

It really sucks the OEM one broke. LR should be ashamed of this and they ought to comp you one.