Will an 8 Foot Ladder Fit in a Car? [Yes, But with Conditions]

Are you moving to a new place? You know, it’s always better to use your car to save up some extra bucks. But moving large items can become difficult, like moving an 8-foot ladder.

So, you might be wondering – will an 8-foot ladder fit in a car?

Yes, an 8-foot ladder will fit in a car that is more than 14 feet in length and has foldable rear and front seats. You can fit the 8-foot ladder in full-size and midsize cars. But you can’t fit it in a minicar. Also, you shouldn’t transport the ladder in a small car for overhanging issues.  

Are you interested in learning how to fit an 8-foot ladder in your car? Follow the article till the end for more information. 

Will an 8-Foot Ladder Fit in a Car?

Yes, an 8-foot ladder will fit in a car. But it’s hard to fit in a mini car or a small car. Whether a ladder will fit in your car actually depends on the size of the car. If there’s more space than an 8-foot ladder’s dimension, you can be assured that the ladder will fit in your car.

Again, if the ladder is foldable, it’ll be easier to fit in the car. But you should be aware of the ladders that get stuck while folding. For example, a werner telescoping attic ladder can get stuck sometimes.

So, here’s a demonstration of types of cars that can hold an 8-foot ladder inside the car. 

Again, you need foldable rear and front seats to make room for the ladder. If you have a large trunk (more than 8 feet), you can fit the ladder inside the car trunk as well.

How to Transport an 8-Foot Ladder in a Car?

When you’re transporting an 8-foot step ladder in a car, you must be careful so that the ladder doesn’t damage your car. Here’s how to transport an 8-foot ladder in a car. 

• First, fold one front seat at a 90-degree and open up enough space for the ladder.
• Then, you have to open the trunk of the car.
• After that, place a blanket where you’ll put the ladder. The blanket will help in protecting your car from getting ladder scratches.
• Again, put some soft objects on the center part of the ladder. 
• Then, place the ladder gently on the soft objects and the blanket. Make sure the narrow side of the ladder is backward facing the front side of the car.
• After that, secure the ladder by tying it with some ratchets or ropes. Do not forget to cover the ladder leg ends with a soft cloth or rubber materials. 
• Finally, close the trunk and you’re all ready to drive with the ladder. In case you can’t close the trunk, you can leave it open. 

This is also a transportation process that is applicable for all of the ladders below 8 feet. However, if the ladder is more than 8 feet, for example, high ceiling ladders, you can’t transport it in the mentioned process.  

Tip: If the ladder is foldable, you must fold it as much as possible. Make it small before inserting the ladder inside the car.

So, this is how you can transport an 8-foot ladder in a car if you don’t have a ladder rack.    

Is Transporting an 8-foot Ladder Legal?

Now, transporting an 8-foot ladder is legal. But you should maintain some federal rules and regulations while driving on the road.

An 8-foot ladder is approximately 2.5 meters in length. According to law, if the ladder overhangs 1 meter or less than 1 meter, you do not have to take any action. 

But if the end of the ladder hangs out for more than 2 meters but less than 3.05 meters, you have to use rear and side, marker boards. These boards are used to signal the other vehicles on the road. 

Important Tips for Ladder Transportation

You must be aware of a few tips while transporting with a ladder. Here are some important suggestions you should check out for smooth ladder transportation.

• You must ensure that the ladder is fully locked up and securely attached to the car. You can use ladder clamps to ensure it’s secured.
• You should be cautious about any rattling noise caused by the ladder while driving with a ladder. This means the ladder isn’t secured enough.
• You must seek help from other people when you’re lifting the ladder,. Lifting a ladder alone will put strains on your back and shoulders.
• You should ensure you have inserted soft cloths or objects in between the ladder steps to balance the heavyweight. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Can a 6-foot ladder fit in a car?

Yes, you can fit a 6-foot ladder in a car. It easily fits all kinds of cars from mini cars to large pickup trucks. However, you have to be careful with securing the ladder to the car. If you do not take any precautionary measures, the ladder may scratch the surface of your car. 

How do you carry a ladder on an SUV?

You can carry a ladder on an SUV by either putting it on the top rack or inside the SUV. In both cases, you must tie the ladder with a rope tightly so that it’s secured well with the SUV. Make sure to insert cushions in the center of the ladder to balance the weight of the ladder.  

Final Words

By reading the whole article, hopefully now you know will an 8 foot ladder fit in a car. The best way to know it is by measuring the inner part of your car. However, remember that you can’t carry a non-foldable 8-foot ladder if your car’s rear seats do not bend. 

So that’s it! I hope this article was useful for you. Thanks for reading!