Why We Chose Professional Truss Clamps for the Bike-Hook Ladder Rack
Craig Waller
What does a bike rack have in common with a film set? In the case of our new Bike-Hook Ladder Mount System, part of the answer is the clamp.
When I began adapting Bike-Hook for RV and campervan ladders, I did not want to treat the ladder as an afterthought. It is the connection between the vehicle and the mounting bracket, so the way that bracket attaches matters.
Why truss clamps?
Our ladder bracket attaches to round ladder tubing with aluminum truss clamps. This style of hardware is widely used in the entertainment industry to attach equipment to structural truss. The clamps give the bracket a defined connection around the tube, and they can be opened and positioned while fitting the system to a suitable ladder.
I know this hardware from a 35-year career as a Key Grip in film and television. My work included building camera car rigs, supporting large lighting structures, and finding practical ways to mount equipment securely. Those jobs taught me to pay close attention to the connection points, not just the object being carried. That experience influenced the choice of clamp for Ladder-Hook.
How the pieces work together
The truss clamps hold a 5 mm powder-coated aluminum mounting bracket on the ladder. The removable stainless steel Bike-Hook slides over the top edge of that bracket, bringing the same fork-mount approach used on our van-door Bike-Hooks to an RV ladder. Stainless steel helps the Bike-Hook resist rust during outdoor use.
A 3/8-inch safety pin secures the Bike-Hook to the bracket. We are also working out the fit details for owners who would prefer to replace that pin with a suitable long-shackle lock.
There are different parts doing different jobs: the clamps connect to the ladder, the bracket provides a mounting edge, and Bike-Hook holds the bike by its front fork. Keeping those roles clear has guided the design.
The ladder matters too
A professional clamp does not make every RV ladder suitable for carrying a bicycle. Ladder tube dimensions, how the ladder is attached to the vehicle, and the intended load all matter. A rating for an individual clamp, if supplied by its manufacturer, is not a rating for the complete RV ladder system.
We are preparing fit measurements and installation guidance before the Ladder Mount System goes on sale. We will show the system mounted on a ladder and carrying a bike as soon as we have the right vehicle available for photos.
Have a rear ladder on your RV or campervan? Send us a photo and the vehicle model through our contact page. It helps us understand the range of ladders owners are using.
