A-Frame ladder is 1 inch higher than toprail

[richierich]

I just put the ladder in the pool and its 1 inch higher than the top rail. It should be resting on the top rail right? Any ideas on what to do. Its a confer plastics A-Frame ladder. It wobbles from side to side since I can't secure it. I was either going to screw it into the top rail or use C-Clamps to clamp the ladder. Now I can't do either. Any ideas?


I do have a 48 inch A-Frame ladder that may fit if I don't "stretch" the legs and out kind of "push" the legs together it gets up to about 51" if that makes sense.

 

[kimkats]

Pictures please so we can really see what you are dealing with. Do you have a deck?

Kim

 

[richierich]

Kim I took the ladder out and now its dark. Basically the platform of the ladder is 1 inch above the top rail. Everything I read says the platform of the ladder should be resting on the top rail. Since its not resting on the rail its very wobbly side to side if that makes sense

 

[kimkats]

It does make sense but I have no idea what is where to give you any ideas. If you have a deck or do not have a deck. Each will involve a different solution. Seeing the steps will also give me some ideas to work with.

Kim

 

[richierich]

See attached photos. Maybe a block of wood underneath. I called the ladder company and I can't adjust it from 52" ladder down to 51". It only goes from 52" to 48". Maybe put a strap under the top rail holding the ladder. I don't know. Or is it just ok to buy a long bolt or screw and leave it

 

[kwss1976]

Those 2 holes in the top on the deck of the ladder are for nuts a bolts to mount to your top cap of your pool mine is similar and that's the directions for mounting..Mounted on the outside of top cap not on the water side


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[richierich]

yeah I was just concerned that there is a 1 inch gap.

 

[TomGallopavo]

Dig the ground out under the ladder?

 

[richierich]

Dig the ground out under the ladder?

yeah thanks I thought of that but figured the ladder platform would tilt back a little out since the ground would be lower than inside the pool. I guess the sand base that the installers used is an inch higher than the outside

 

[CJadamec]

shim up the gap with some plastic or wood?

 

[richierich]

shim up the gap with some plastic or wood?

Thanks- I was thinking maybe some memory foam or insulation foam board.

 

[TomGallopavo]

Make two bushings out of electric conduit or small diameter pvc?

 

[richierich]

Make two bushings out of electric conduit or small diameter pvc?

do you mean put something like this in between the platform screw holes and the top rail?

 

[domct203]

do you mean put something like this in between the platform screw holes and the top rail?

View attachment 61515

That could work, I was thinking a piece of that plastic decking board, it's about an inch-plus thick.

 

[CJadamec]

Bet a piece of 5/4 decking would be a perfect fit

 

[richierich]

yeah thanks everyone. Will keep you posted. Going to tackle this tomorrow

 

[JEC11718]

The computer geek in me says use plastic standoffs that will take up the space between the rail and bottom of ladder. Bolt thru them!

 

[JEC11718]

This...

 

[kimkats]

I love me some TFP help! These are all awesome ideas!

Please let us know what you end up doing. The pics made the difference!

Kim

 

[richierich]

The computer geek in me says use plastic standoffs that will take up the space between the rail and bottom of ladder. Bolt thru them!

interesting.... do you mean something like this? Standoffs Plastic - (4-40; 3/4 10 pack) - PRT-10462 - SparkFun Electronics


so these would go right under the screw holes in the ladder. You don't think a piece of wood is necessary? Just 2 of these (1 under each screw hole) the bolt says it should be a 1/4" bolt. do they make 1/4" plastic standoffs?