Are you a really, really tall person? If you’re not at least 8 feet tall, you’ll need a van ladder to access the belongings you’ve stored on the roof of your van or to access your van terrace and enjoy the view. If you’re looking to save money and build your own ladder, we’ve got you. Our step-by-step DIY van ladder plans will help you design and build one that’s sturdy and entirely customized according to what you need.
1. The parts you’ll need to build your van ladder
Before you actually start building your project, the first step is to design your van ladder plans according to the specs of your van. How high is it? How will you fix the ladder to the roof and the side of the van? Once you’ve gathered information about these important details, you’ll be able to identify the parts to build it. This step-by-step plan was designed based on Constance and Maylis’ story, but no matter the type of van you own, you’ll be able to adapt it to fit your own.
So, you’ll find the basic information on what Constance and Maylis bought to build their project below. Again, we recommend you customize the plans for your own van model.
What you’ll need: Connectors and tubes
Here are the parts and tubes you’ll need to build a DIY van ladder. If you adapted the project, change the dimensions and adjust the number of tubes and fittings according to your own plan.
| Qty. | Part | SKU | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1-1/16" x 92" Jet black steel pipe | PT-92-BK | Buy now |
| 12 | Modular & Structural T Connector | HJ-1 | Buy now |
| 4 | 90° Elbow Pipe Connector | HJ-90 | Buy now |
| 4 | Extended Adjustable Angle Pipe Connector | HJ-6A | Buy now |
| 2 | Flat anchor black connector set | HJ-9 | Buy now |
2. The cut list
Once you’ve ordered and received the parts at home, it’s time to build your DIY van ladder. Start by cutting the tubes (don’t forget to buy a pipe cutter if you don’t already have one).
| Qty. | Length (inch) | Length (centimeter) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 36 13/16″ | 93.50 cm |
| 2 | 19 1/4″ | 48.90 cm |
| 1 | Variable” | Variable |
| 5 | 13 1/4″ | 33.65 cm |
| 2 | 11 13/16″ | 30 cm |
| 2 | 4 5/8″ | 11.75 cm |
| 2 | 3 1/4″ | 8.25 cm |
3. Building your DIY van ladder… the fun begins!
OK, so you’ve cut the tubes and gathered all the parts. It’s now time to start building your van ladder! Use the color and letter codes to place the right connectors and tube sizes at the right place.
The tinktube joint sets are assembled with bolts that require one of the following tools – you might already have the tools at home, but if you don’t, you can order from us here:
| Tool name | Number | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Hex drill bit set (x5) | T-BIT | Buy now |
| T handle wrench | T-HANDLE | Buy now |
4. Climb the ladder and enjoy the view!
That’s it. You can now enjoy the benefits of enjoying the view from your van’s roof, wherever you are! If you are looking for more van project ideas, check out this complete guide to camper van conversion. You’ll find more free plans and articles on various van-related subjects that will spark your passion for travel!
Bonus story: Van ladder problems & solutions!
After about 10,000 km of driving, Constance, Maylis and Salty had some issues with the ladder. The suspensions of the truck being too loose, the wheel knocked against the bottom of the ladder, which caused it to fall on the highway. In short, one hell of a funny story in the middle of the Yukon!
During a break in Dawson City, they used the tubes and connectors they had left and found a better way to fix it. The new version is definitely stronger & approved by Yukon gravel roads! They also added a small piece of rubber between the fixing plate and the body of the truck to avoid scratching and damaging the paint.
