Choosing a Ladder Rack

If you are a commercial trades professional, you probably know how important the right ladder rack for your commercial truck or van is. Ladder racks increase safety, productivity, and protect your equipment investment. But ladder rack pricing is all over the board. That’s why it’s important to know exactly what you need in a ladder rack. There are many different factors to consider, particularly frequency of use, cargo type, number of ladders, van height, and accessibility when selecting the best ladder racks and options for your needs. Here’s a basic breakdown of the pros and cons of the three main styles of ladder racks available:

THE UTILITY RACK

Pros: Gives you the ability to haul multiple ladders and material types; the most affordable option.

Cons: Can be difficult to access, depending on van height; potential for overloading.

Suitable Vehicles: Compact and standard-roof full-size vans.

THE LOCK-DOWN RACK

Pros: Ease of use, locking mechanism is reliable.

Cons: Cargo limitations; can be difficult to access on high-roof vans.

Suitable Vehicles: Compact and standard-roof full-size vans.

THE DROP-DOWN RACK

Pros: Ease of use; less strain on workers; safer; user friendly locking mechanism.

Cons: Cargo limitations; pricier.

Suitable Vehicles: High-roof and standard-roof full-size van.

---

For all of your Middle Tennessee commercial ladder rack and accessory needs, contact Creech Ladder Center today! We offer a selection of commercial ladder racks and accessories by KargoMaster, one of the most trusted names in the industry. as well as a wide array of ladders from top, trusted manufacturers like Louisville Ladder Company, so you can properly outfit your commercial vehicles with the perfect products for your needs. And always remember, “If it’s out of reach, call the folks at Creech!”

Call Us! (615) 242.8601

To learn more about special offers and updates from Creech Ladder,

click here: http://web.vanandtruckequipmenttn.com/home/

Commercial Van Storage Makeover: Before & After

Behold: the Regular Bin Package with Tank Rack and Data File box by Kargo Master, with a Three Bar Ladder Rack by Weather Guard on a 2013 Ford E250. — at Creech Ladders & Racks.

What a Difference a Package Makes

Feast your eyes: the before and after is really pretty remarkable. Especially if you’ve had your eyes on a new shelving and storage package to transform your commercial vehicle as well. Aside from the obvious convenience and professional appearance, commercial van shelving has some money saving advantages as well. Less time spent looking for misplaced tools & materials means more time on the job - and less risk of forgetting to stock important tools and materials in the vehicle! Was it Grandma who said “a place for everything, and everything in it’s place?” Well, she sure was right. Less risk of damage to crammed tools and materials, because everything has it’s place, is another major cost saving and even reputation saving benefit. Investing in your business feels good. It’s a great way to tell your crew you believe in them, and want to support their ability to perform their work in the safest, most professional and productive manner possible.

Shop our website, including several full product catalogs from outstanding outfitters like Weather Guard , Kargo Master, and Louisville Ladder. We’ve got what you need to streamline your crew. Creech Ladder carries a great selection of van and truck conversion packages and components for First Responders, HVAC, Roofing, GCs, Auto Glass Specialists, Painting Specialists, and many many more.

Creech Ladder & Racks has everything you need for your fleet! We ship within Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and just about anywhere in the United States from our catalog. Call Creech Ladder & Racks now to get started on your amazing commercial vehicle makeover right away at (615) 242-8601.

And remember, if it’s out of reach, call the folks at Creech!

Creech Ladder & Racks |  2507 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211 | http://www.creechladder.com

3 Tips for Preventing House Damage

As a professional contractor, you take pride in your work. That’s why you invest in quality tools to get the job done right. But just as important as quality tools is the knowledge to use them safely and properly. Without proper understanding of how to most safely and effectively use them, ladders can cause an unfortunate amount of damage to a finished house. Creech Ladder Center can outfit you with not only the best quality tools, but also the right accessories to greatly reduce the risk of damage or injury.

1) LADDER CLAMPS, STRAPS, AND ANCHORS - It happens when you least expect it: a strong gust of wind from out of nowhere, or an unexpected bump, and suddenly, the ladder is lurching dangerously toward the window, or your crew. Unsecured ladders are dangerous. Using ladder clamps, straps, and anchors will prevent unnecessary damage and injury.

2) LADDER MITTS - Although most ladders are standardly produced with protective plastic tips, their effectiveness is limited, and still tend to leave marks or dents on siding and trim. Ladder mitts are a great defense against this problem.

3) LADDER STANDOFF STABILIZERS - Avoid accidentally marking your work area with dents, scratches, and creases, especially sometimes fragile rain gutters. A ladder standoff stabilizer, also called a spreader, is a simple U-shaped or C-shaped aluminum brace designed to keep the ladder off the wall. Typically, stabilizers are one piece, 40 in. or 48 in. wide, with a standoff of 10” or 12”, attaching to the ladder rungs with U-bolts and wing nuts. Stabilizers can allow you to reach the most delicate roof with your weight resting on the wall below. Some also have large round pads that spread the load over a larger area. It is important the tips are rubberized to protect painted surfaces.

Contact Creech Ladder Center Today! We offer everything you need for your professional services from top, trusted manufacturers like Louisville Ladder Company and Little Giant. Questions about what kinds of accessories will best serve you and your crew on the jobs you do? Just give us a call or stop in. We’ll be glad to give you our custom prescription to properly outfit your business with the perfect products for your needs. And always remember, “If it’s out of reach, call the folks at Creech!”

Call Us! (615) 242.8601

To learn more about special offers and updates, click here: http://web.vanandtruckequipmenttn.com/home/

Upgrade to an EZ Lo-Down Drop Down Ladder Rack by Kargo Master!

Your crew works hard    all day long. Why not make their job a little easier - and a lot safer - by upgrading to an EZ Lo-Down Drop Down Ladder Rack by Kargo Master? Unloading heavy ladders can be dangerous. Equipping your professional vehicle with the best quality transport equipment just makes sense.

At Creech Ladder Center, we supply a variety of quality heavy duty ladder racks from Kargo Master. In choosing which ladder rack is best for your business, there are a few key things you need to consider:

Figure out the size you need

• Ladder racks come in different lengths and weights. The size of your vehicle will help you determine which one fits your needs.

The type you want

• Side-mounted ladder rack or a roof-mounted ladder rack? You know best which type of ladders you use on a regular basis, and how many you need to transport at one time.

How many ladders you need to transport

• Some ladder racks are limited as to how many ladders you can haul while others are double-mounted systems that store more than one.

What type of loading and unloading do you want to do?

• Why not make your job easier with a ladder rack that with drop-down assist function, like the EZ Lo-Down Drop Down Ladder Rack?

Contact Creech Ladder Center Today! We offer a variety of commercial vehicle storage solutions and accessories, as well as a wide array of ladders from top, trusted manufacturers like Kargo Master and Louisville Ladder Company, so you can properly outfit your home or business with the perfect product for your needs. And always remember, “If it’s out of reach, call the folks at Creech!”

Call Us! 615.242.8601

To learn more about special offers and updates, click here: http://web.vanandtruckequipmenttn.com/home/

Utilize Valuable Storage Space with a Great Attic Ladder!

Looking to increase your storage options by finishing your underutilized attic? If so, you will appreciate having an attic ladder that’s sturdy and accessible. But how to determine what to look for when shopping for an attic ladder? There are plenty of considerations however that factor into deciding what the best possible ladder is for your home and your specific needs. Whether you are looking for an indoor or garage attic ladder, Creech Ladder has the perfect attic ladder for your needs.

Length & Weight

Attic stairs are sold in different lengths. Be sure to measure the distance from your ceiling to the floor and buy an appropriate size. Attic ladders also come in different weight capacities. As a general rule, the more weight a ladder can hold, the sturdier it is. At the very least, buy a ladder that can handle the weight of the heaviest person who will be using it plus the heaviest load they will be hauling up and down. That may mean that a 250-pound capacity is suitable, but a 300 to 350 pound capacity Iadder are terrific to give you increased peace of mind.

Leading Ladder Manufacturers

Creech Ladder carries both Werner Ladder and Louisville Ladder two of the most prominent manufacturers of folding attic ladders. Ladders from Louisville Ladder are available in wood and aluminum with an up to 350-pound capacity. Louisville Ladder integrates an advanced cylinder design system, substituting the ordinary steel spring, for an easy opening and closing with a quiet and smooth movement. Prices for aluminum and wood ladders with 300- to 350-pound capacities range from about $125. to $350.

At Creech Ladder Center, we care about your safety. We offer a wide variety of ladders from top, trusted manufacturers like Little Giant and Louisville Ladder Company, so you can properly outfit your home or business with the perfect product for your needs. And always remember, “If it’s out of reach, call the folks at Creech!”

Call Us! 615.242.8601

To learn more about special offers and updates, click here: http://web.vanandtruckequipmenttn.com/home/

How to Select Your Ladder: Step Ladders & Platform Ladders

The Aluminum Mobile Platform Ladder 300 lb Rated Louisville Ladder AP5000 Series

Which ladder is right for your job?

You’ll save time and energy and reduce your risk of injury if you know how to select the correct ladder for the job. Key factors to consider are type and style of ladder, ladder length, duty rating, and the material from which the ladder is constructed.

Step Ladders & Platform Ladders

Step ladders, and their close cousins, platform ladders, are the most commonly used ladder in the industry. In contrast to extension ladders, step ladders and platform ladders are self-supportable, which means they do not need to be leaned against any type of support to be used. As such, they may be used in the middle of the room, underneath a tree for trimming or a variety of other locations where support for an extension ladder is an issue. There are two major varieties of step ladders; the first is a simple front step ladder. On the front step ladder you will find rungs on one side of the ladder and the other side is designed only for support and is not to be climbed on. The more popular variety is the twin step ladder which provides rungs on either side of the ladder allowing you to climb up whichever side is more convenient and allows you and a friend to climb the ladder simultaneously.

Step Ladder Safety

• Never use the top or top step of a stepladder as a step without the secure addition of a professional safety cage on a compatibly designed step ladder
• Never use cross bracing on the rear section of step ladders for climbing unless the ladders are designed and provided with steps for climbing on both front and rear sections
• Metal spreader or locking devices must be provided on stepladders to hold the front and back sections in an open position when ladders are being used

Step Ladder Height Guide

LADDER SIZE	*HIGHEST STANDING LEVEL (APPROX)	MAXIMUM REACH
4’	1’ 11”	8’ 6”
5’	2’ 10”	9’ 5”
6’	3’ 9”	10’ 4”
8’	5’ 8”	12’ 3”
10’	7’ 7”	14’ 2”
12’	9’ 6”	16’ 1”

*Based on a 5’7” user with a 12” reach

Platform Ladders

A platform ladder is a front step ladder with a platform as its top step.  A top rail guard is usually around two feet higher than the platform to provide safety while you are working.  Platform ladders provide that higher level of comfort you look for while standing on a ladder for any amount of time.  You won’t be killing the bottom of your feet or your shins when you stand on the platform.  This ladder allows you to work on any project that requires you to use two hands as safely as if you were on the ground itself.  Being able to rotate around and work in which ever direction you need helps you to work safer and faster.

Good, sturdy step ladders and platform ladders are indispensable tools for many service trade professionals, like painters, builders and remodelers, firefighters, and many many more. If you’re considering stepping up the quality of your equipment, or maybe it’s simply time to replace your old, well-worn favorites, Creech Ladder has everything you need to succeed.

Stay tuned for more useful industrial ladder types in our next post. To learn more about ladders, scaffolding, and a wide array of service industry equipment available for your vehicles and more, check out Creech Ladder. We're your one-stop-shop for accessories that improve safety, stability and usability. You can call us direct at 615.242.8601, or check out our website for special offers and updates at: http://web.vanandtruckequipmenttn.com/home/.

And remember,  if it's out of reach, call the folks at Creech!

How to Select Your Ladder: The Extension Ladder

Which ladder is right for your job?

You’ll save time and energy and reduce your risk of injury if you know how to select the correct ladder for the job. Key factors to consider are type and style of ladder, ladder length, duty rating, and the material from which the ladder is constructed.

Choose the right type and style

Most portable ladders are either non-self-supporting, such as an extension ladder, or are self-supporting, such as a standard step ladder. But there are also combination ladders that quickly convert from a stepladder to an extension ladder. You’re likely to find the right size, shape, and type of ladder to accomplish your task within one of these categories. This week we take a look at one of the most commonly used ladder for industrial application: the extension ladder.

Extension ladders - non-self-supporting

Extension ladders offer the greatest length in a general-purpose ladder. The ladder consists of two or more sections that travel in guides or brackets, allowing adjustable lengths. The sections must be assembled so that the sliding upper section is on top of the lower section. Each section must overlap its adjacent section a minimum distance, based on the ladder’s overall length. The overall length is determined by the lengths of the individual sections, measured along the side rails. The table below shows the minimum overlap for two-section ladders up to 60 feet long.

LADDER LENGTH	OVERLAP
Up to 36 feet	3 feet
36 to 48 feet	4 feet
48 to 60 feet	5 feet

Most extension ladders are made of wood, aluminum, or reinforced fiberglass. Wood ladders can’t have more than two section and must not exceed 60 feet. Aluminum and fiberglass ladders can have up to 3 sections; however, the overall length must not exceed 72 feet. Individual sections of any ladder must not be longer than 30 feet. Extension ladders can be used only by one person at a time.

Is it necessary to “tie off” an extension ladder to prevent it from slipping?

It is not necessary to tie off the ladder, but you must ensure that the ladder cannot be accidentally moved or displaced. Thoroughly inspect your ladder to be certain all aspects are in top working condition, especially the footings and the rung locks.

We’ll cover other types of ladders in our next post. To learn more about ladders, scaffolding, and a wide array of service industry equipment available for your vehicles and more, check out Creech Ladder. We're your one-stop-shop for accessories that improve safety, stability and usability. You can call us direct at 615.242.8601, or check out our website for special offers and updates at: http://web.vanandtruckequipmenttn.com/home/.

And remember,  if it's out of reach, call the folks at Creech!