Just picked up a rear hatch ladder but not sure how to mount it?? There are no factory mount holes so whats the best route? Should I use self tapping sheet medal screws or is there a kit from Land Rover??

thanks

 

I used the self tapping screws, works fine and no water leakage. It was very easy to put on and I did it in about 25 minutes.

 

Once the ladder is installed, can you crawl on the roof of these things with no roof rack and obviously avoided the sun roofs?

 

I spent some time crawling around on my roof while prepping for paint. It's steel sheet metal so sturdier than most of the other panels. I still wouldn't stand on it anywhere flat or near the middle because it flexes... BTW the bumper and spare serve as steps if you're tall enough.

 

I got the ladder more for carrying snowboards. Sounds silly, I know. BUT, I can't fit the rover in my garage if I put any rack system on top. Since our winters can be pretty rough I want to park it in the garage. We go snowboarding once a week and I needed a way to haul them. I got the ladder for $25 and figured I could fab a mount to put yakima board racks on the ladder and carry the board vertical on the back of the rover. hmmmm

Given this reason I think sheet medal screws will be just fine. I wont be climbing on the ladder with any frequency at all.

 

I would do toggle bolts although sheet metal screws would be fine if they're sized properly and not over-tightened into the soft aluminum.

 

Whatever you decide to use to mount it, you may want to consider some silicone sealer or make-a-gasket type goo around the head of the bolt or screw heads as they tighten down to the door. This will help give you a better chance of keeping water out of your door.

 

No need to use toggle bolts. The weight is carried by the folded over part that fits over the top of the door. The lower bolts are mainly just for keeping it from bouncing around. I installed mine with stainless #12 sheet metal screws about 6 years ago and have used it a lot and it's still as secure as the day I installed it.
A snow board mounted on the ladder though is going to act like a wind brake. I would think it would stress the board a lot too, a 60-70 mph wind on just the end of the board. I suggest looking at a way to mount them on the stock cross bars.
Like with a yakima or thule mount.

 

I just used rivits, globbed some black rtv in the holes before putting the ladder down, then more over the hole when i rivited them, then more over the rivits... been about a year, not a single problem. ive climbed it dozens of times, and had a 12.5' kayak tied to it on highway several dozen times this summer, never had a problem yet! all the support really comes from the top lip and bottom pushing inwards... the two bolts just keep it from sliding side to side, which if youll notice is hard to do even when its not bolted in yet!

 

im with tom i used #12 sheet metal screws and some silicone to keep water from getting in. has worked great for 3 years.