Owl Vans Ladder + Tire Carrier - NCV3 (2007-2018 & 2019)

Owl Ladder + Tire Carrier Design Walk-Through

The design goal with the Ladder + Tire Carrier was to create a simple, rugged yet elegant solution to solve the need for both a spare tire and a ladder to access the roof. By combining the two, Owl is able to save weight, cost and space.

Owl Quality:

The Ladder + Tire carrier constructed of mandrel bent 2” aluminum tube, all meticulously TIG welded together by Owl’s Master welders. The Ladder + Tire Carrier is one of the most time-consuming products we build with the main structure consisting of over 20’ of bent tubing and 10+ welds.

Aluminum is ideal for its lightweight and anti-corrosive properties. However, for strength and durability, steel is king. This is why Owl combines a main structure of TIG welded aluminum with a bottom support hoop made of MIG welded steel. The result is a super-strong, yet lightweight solution that will stand up to years of off-road abuse.

Usability:

The Ladder + Tire carrier was designed for ease of use from the beginning. Footpegs extend low below the tire to make climbing easy. The tire is situated as low as possible (without blocking the license plate) so that one person can easily get the tire on/off without assistance. A steel support hoop adds strength and carrier the weight of the tire while being secured (tightening the spin-on handle). A spin-on tire handle allows access to the spare tire in seconds without tools.

Side Ladder vs Rear Ladder:

Many people ask why Owl doesn’t make a side ladder. Owl’s goal is to create the best possible solution to a need and not just “sell more” stuff to customers. Side ladders hang out in the wind causing both noise and drag (lowering MPG). Worst of all, side ladders can limit where you can take your van. Many trails, campsites, or even driveways are often too narrow to fit a van with a side-mounted ladder. We see many vans at Owl with bent side ladders. A bent side ladder not only damages the ladder but often causes extensive body damage to the rocker panels and pinch welds where the ladder connects to the vehicle.

Installation:

We design all of our products to be easily installed by either the customer or professional. No professional tools or experience are needed to install Owl products. If you have a basic set of tools and are willing to try something new, you should be able to install most of our products in under an hour.

Departure angle:

Even if you don’t know what departure angle is, you have experienced it. Ever scrapped your trailer hitch while going in and out of a steep driveway? That’s because that trailer hitch limits your ability to climb a steep angle the same way a bumper-mounted swing out system does. Owl carriers keep all of your gear up high away from water, road debris, and most importantly, don’t limit your vans off-roading capabilities.