Why a ladder on hinges doesn’t work with 270° Doors (and what to do instead)
A ladder on hinges may seem like the ideal solution for anyone who wants quick and safe access to their vehicle roof. However, if your van is equipped with 270° rear doors, you’ll quickly run into a technical limitation: combining a ladder on hinges with 270-degree doors is simply not possible. This applies to all models, without exception.
How a 270° hinge works (and why it’s a problem)
To understand why a ladder on hinges is not compatible with 270° doors, you first need to know how such a hinge works.
A normal 180° door has one single hinge. Simple, robust, and spacious enough to attach brackets and bolts. A 270° door works differently: the hinge consists of two layers: a hinge on a hinge. This double construction allows the door to swing far away from the bodywork (ideal to fully open the loading space), but it has a downside: there is no more space to firmly attach a bracket. You simply cannot get bolts in between in a way that is strong and safe enough.
Risk of serious body damage
In addition to the technical problem, there is also a practical danger that you should not underestimate.
When you fully open a 270° door, it moves completely along the side of the vehicle. If a ladder on hinges would be mounted there, that ladder (including the bracket) would come against the bodywork of your van. The chance of serious body damage is real here and that is something you want to avoid.
Two alternatives if you still want to reach a roof rack
No panic! There are good solutions. Depending on your situation and wishes there are two possibilities:
- Ladder on the rear door: This is the most used and affordable solution. The ladder is attached directly to the rear door. The disadvantage is that holes are drilled into the door and that is a barrier for some users, but the result is stable. View our full range of ladders for vans to find the right option for your vehicle.
- Have the hinges replaced by the garage: Those who ordered their 270° hinge because they want to fully open the doors will probably not want to consider this option. But those who only realize afterwards that their vehicle has 270° doors and still absolutely want to work with a ladder on hinges, can ask their mechanic to replace the hinges with 180° versions. For most models, a ladder on hinges is then possible again.
⚠️ Attention: not every model with 180° doors is compatible with a ladder on hinges. The Ford Transit 2 ton is an example of this because the complexity of the hinge does not allow it. A Mercedes Sprinter or Volkswagen Crafter on the other hand is compatible.
Conclusion: the right choice starts with the right information
A ladder on hinges and 270° doors simply do not go together... for no vehicle. A ladder on the rear door is in most cases the best solution. Those who really want to work with hinges can have the hinges replaced, but always check first whether your model allows this.
Still in doubt about which type of ladder best fits your van? Discover our selection guide for ladders.
We are happy to help.
At mobietec, we have three different types of aluminum ladders for your vehicle:
- Ladder on rear door
- Ladder on hinges
- Ladder integrated into the roof rack
Our different ladders offer numerous benefits for your vehicle. Use our handy product finder to find the perfect ladder for your vehicle. Each ladder in our range is designed for optimal functionality and safety.
In most vehicles, the ladder is mounted on the right rear door by default so as not to block the license plate. However, on models such as the Ford Transit 2T, Volkswagen Crafter and MAN TGE, it is possible to always mount the ladder on the left side. For other car models, we offer the option to customize the ladder with a cutout for the license plate.
On certain vehicles, it can sometimes be difficult to mount a ladder due to the limited space above the window. Please contact us to discuss your options. Our team will work with you to see if there is a suitable solution for mounting a ladder on your H1 car.
Yes, our ladders are designed with sustainability in mind. We have deliberately chosen anodized aluminum for the manufacture of our products. Anodized aluminum is a light but strong material and is fully recyclable. This choice also allows us to reduce the weight of our products, which contributes to lower fuel consumption and fewer CO₂ emissions during transport. Find out more about mobietec's sustainability measures here.
Our products are available through an extensive network of garages and vehicle converters throughout Europe.
🔍 Simply request a quote online from your nearest distributor.
