Ladder Materials on Soft Shell Tents: Aluminum vs Steel

What the ladder material means on a listing

A soft shell rooftop tent listing often names the ladder in the title or the bullet list. 'Aluminum ladder' and 'steel ladder' are common words. The material is one of the stated details, like the shell type, the sleeping capacity and the width. It tells you what the ladder is made of and gives you a starting point for comparing two tents on the details each maker publishes.

The listing does not always state the ladder material. When the detail is missing, you can ask the seller or check the maker's own pages. A title cannot tell you how the ladder performs, only what it is made of. The way to compare is to read the stated details on each listing and on the maker's instructions. For the method, see how this site compares stated details.

Some makers sell the ladder as a separate accessory. One maker's page lists a 10.5 foot ladder, which shows that a ladder length can be a separate stated detail from the tent itself. Other makers publish their own history and product lines; Smittybilt states it has outfitted off-road enthusiasts for 70 years, and Thule states that its roof rack systems are designed for rooftop tents. Those are maker-stated details, and the maker's instructions and the vehicle manual decide what fits. The soft shell rooftop tent guides compare the tent details that matter for choosing.

Aluminum ladders: the lighter metal

Aluminum is a metal with a lower density than steel. In similar construction, an aluminum ladder weighs less than a steel one. That is a property of the material, not a claim about any single product. Listings use the word 'aluminum' or the alternate spelling 'aluminium' to name the material.

Aluminum also forms a thin oxide layer on its surface, which is why it resists corrosion better than bare steel. That is general material behavior. It does not promise how long a specific ladder will last; the maker's stated details and instructions are the place for those questions. For a related comparison, see aluminum ladders versus telescoping ladders.

Steel ladders: the denser metal

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. It is denser than aluminum, so a ladder made of steel in similar dimensions weighs more. Steel ladders are often coated to resist rust. Listings may say 'steel ladder', or they may name the coating, such as 'zinc-plated' or 'stainless'.

Bare steel can rust when the coating is scratched. That is general material behavior. The maker's listing and instructions are where you find the coating and the care guidance. Compare two steel ladders on what each listing states about the coating. See zinc-plated versus stainless hardware for the coating words a listing can use.

Weight: what the material word does and does not say

The material word tells you about density, not about a specific number. This article does not state the weight of any tent or ladder, because that number is a stated detail the maker publishes. When a listing states a total weight for the tent, the ladder is part of that figure.

If the weight of the ladder alone matters to you, that is a question for the seller or the maker's instructions. Compare two listings on what each one states, and leave out any weight that is not published. The ladder length and adjustability are also separate stated details; see ladder length adjustability.

Corrosion resistance in plain words

Corrosion is the gradual wearing away of a metal by moisture and air. Aluminum resists corrosion better than bare steel because of its oxide layer. Steel needs a protective coating, and the coating is part of the stated detail.

For coastal camping or wet trips, the material word is worth reading. The listing may say 'aluminum', 'steel', 'zinc-plated' or 'stainless'. None of these words promise how a ladder will behave; they name the material and the coating. Ask the maker for the care guidance. General camping guidance, including how to plan a trip, is available from the National Park Service camping page.

Load capacity: a stated detail from the maker

The load capacity of a ladder is a number the maker states. It is not something this article measures or claims. When a listing says 'aluminum ladder' or 'steel ladder', it does not by itself give a load figure. Read the maker's instructions and the listing for the stated capacity.

If the capacity is not stated, that is a question to ask the seller before buying. A qualified installer can also answer questions about how the ladder attaches to the tent. The maker's instructions and the vehicle manual decide what is right for your setup.

Questions to ask about the ladder

Before you buy, ask the seller these questions about the ladder. The answers are stated details you can compare across listings.

• Is the ladder made of aluminum or steel, and is the material stated on the listing?
• What coating protects a steel ladder, if any?
• What load capacity does the maker state for the ladder?
• Is the ladder included with the tent, or is it a separate accessory?
• Can the ladder be replaced, and where do you find spare parts?
• What do the maker's instructions say about the ladder and how to climb into the tent?

Choosing between aluminum and steel

The choice is not about which metal is better; it is about which stated details fit your trip. Aluminum is the metal with lower density, so in similar construction it weighs less. Steel is denser, and a coated steel ladder can still be a good choice if the coating and the maker's stated capacity suit you.

Read the ladder material word together with the other stated details: the shell type, the sleeping capacity and the width. The guides on this site compare those details across listings, with no performance claims. Then ask the maker the questions above before you choose.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

Are aluminum ladders always lighter than steel ladders?

Aluminum has a lower density than steel, so in similar construction an aluminum ladder weighs less. The listing states the material; the weight of a specific ladder is a maker-stated detail.

Do steel ladders rust?

Bare steel can rust when its coating is scratched. Listings may state the coating, such as zinc-plated or stainless. The maker's instructions and listing are where the care guidance lives.

What does 'aluminum ladder' mean on a rooftop tent listing?

It names the material the ladder is made of. It does not promise a load capacity or a weight figure; those are stated details from the maker.

Can I replace a steel ladder with an aluminum ladder?

That is a question for the maker or a qualified installer. The maker's instructions and the vehicle manual decide what fits your tent.

Is the ladder always included with a soft shell tent?

Not always. Some listings include the ladder, and some name it as a separate accessory. Read the listing's detail list and ask the seller.

What should I read before buying a soft shell tent for the ladder?

Read the stated details: the material word, the ladder length, and any capacity figure the maker publishes. This site compares those stated details in the guides.