I think you are thinking of Gary Lee's ladder at:

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/rack/sladder/sladder.
htm

Thanks,
Chris

---- Original message ----
>Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 16:09:00 -0400
>From: Shane Eddy <oscar88@COMCAST.NET>
>Subject: Re: Roof Rack Options - ladder
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
>Has anybody seen the foldable ladder that hooks onto the
rain gutter to allow
>access to accessories that are mounted on the roof?  I
remember seeing one on a
>website somewhere, but haven't been able to retrace my
steps...
>
>pensioner wrote:
>
>> In the distant past before Detlev,  we carried four
bicycles on a westie by
>> custom drilling a 4 bolt raingutter device made by Yakima
to fit two of the
>> bolts on the poptop hinge.  With these mounted on the
hinge base itself
>> using longer carriage bolts you have a slightly
tilted "raingutter" platform
>> that articulates with the poptop.  Mounting Yakima 1A
raingutter towers on
>> these platforms and using a 72 inch bar and fork
mount "hangers" four
>> mountain bikes can be carried easily.  Out of the high
drag area, easy to
>> mount and de-mount, doubles as a maintenance stand.
Leaves the roof free
>> for other toys and adds very little weight to be lifted
when popping up.
>> Keeps one from crying uncontrollably after driving under a
not quite high
>> enough edifice. We used an available gutterless mount to
mount a non
>> weight-bearing crossbar on the rear door to stabilize the
rear wheels by
>> cinching them down with toe straps, you DO remember the
days before Shitmano
>> clipless, don't you?
>>
>> To raise the top just loosen the straps.  Works well for
the altitude
>> challenged, less burly types like SWMABO.
>>
>> No holes to drill, no teats to pull, no hay to pitch,
don't have to punch a
>> hole in the sombitch.  (apologies to the condensed milk
historians)
>>
>> pensioner