WEATHER GUARD 252-3-02 User Manual

O P E R A T O R S M A N U A L

EZ-GLIDE® SYSTEM ALUMINUM DROP DOWN LADDER RACK

MODEL 251-3-02, 252-3-02

-ATTENTION-

Read and understand all WARNINGS, DANGERS, NOTICES and instructions before assembly and installation.

WARNING

This product is only intended and only safe for transporting ladders. It is the responsibility of the user to secure these
materials to the rack before transporting.
Ladders must be secured per ANSI standard A142.2-1990 paragraph 8.4.4. Ladder damage will occur from road shock
and vehicle vibration if the ladder is not properly secured to the ladder rack. Bouncing and side to side motion of an
improperly secured ladder will cause wear and weaken the ladder. Using a damaged ladder could lead to structural collapse
resulting in serious injury or death. Place ladder in a raised position before transporting. Driving with rack in lowered
position may cause serious injury or damage to vehicle, ladder, rack or persons.

-NOTICE-

Any modification or unintended use of this product shall immediately void all manufacturers warranties. Manufacturer dis­claims all liability for injuries to persons or property resulting from any modification to, or unintended use of this product.

CAUTION

Never load your rack to exceed the safe capacity of your vehicle. Heavy loads when carried high can dangerously alter the
center of gravity.
Loads should be approximately centered front to rear. Failure to do this will cause damage to the vehicle roof. Long loads
that extend out the rear of the vehicle will prevent the rear hatch from fully opening and cause damage if attempted.

TOOLS REQUIRED

• Open or Box End Wrench 9/16"-

1/2"-7/16"

• 3/8" Drive Socket 9/16"-1/2"-7/16"

• 3/8" Drive Ratchet

• Phillips Screwdriver (Large)

• Needle Nose Pliers

• 3/8" Drive Torque Wrench (in. lbs.)

• Tape Measure

• Flat Screwdriver (Small)

PARTS LIST

See Page 2

• Rear Cross-Member Assembly

• Front Cross-Member Assembly

• 2 - Pivot Arm

• Rear Drive Tube/Handle Assembly

• Front Drive Tube

• Center Drive Tube

• Cylinder

• 4 - Mounting Bases

• 4 - Gussets

• 2 - Ladder Supports

• 2 - Ladder Stops

• 2 - Drivers Side End Stops

• 2 - White Plastic Bushings

• 2 - Black Plastic Bushings

• 1 - Tube E-6000 Sealant

• 15 - 1" Dia. Vinyl Hole Covers

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

Approximate Assembly and Installation time:

120 min. per unit (2 hrs.) depending on van equipment installation experience

IMPORTANT BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Read these instructions and warnings completely before installation.

HARDWARE KITS

See Page 3

Check these kits to be sure the following parts are included:

1 ROTATION KIT:

2 3/8-16 x 2-1/4" Hex Hd. Bolt
2 3/8-16 Nylon Lock Nut
11 3/8" Flat Washer
4 5/16-18 x 2" Hex Hd. Bolt
11 5/16-18 Nylon Lock Nut
14 5/16" Flat Washer
2 5/16-18 x 4-1/4" Hex Hd. Bolt
8 Flat Plastic Bushings
1 Bushing Lubricant Tube
2 5/16-18 x 2-1/2" Phillips Flat Hd.

Screw
2 5/16-18 x 2-3/4" Hex Hd. Bolt
1 Aluminum Bushing
1 Clevis Pin
1 Cotter Pin
1 5/16-18 x 4-1/2" Hex Head Bolt

2 GUTTERED KIT:

2 1/4-20 x 1-3/4" Bent Bolt
2 1/4-20 Nylon Lock Nut
4 1/4" Flat Washer
6 5/16-18 x 2-3/4" Hex Hd. Bolt
2 5/16-18 x 1-1/2" Carriage Bolt

(Model 251 Ford Only)

2 5/16-18 x 2" Carriage Bolt (Model

252 GM Only)
1 5/16-18 x 1" Phillips Flat Hd. Screw
9 5/16-18 Nylon Lock Nut
15 5/16" Flat Washer
2 Clamps (Stainless Steel)
2 Vinyl Tube

Part No. 24-0097 REV. L ECN 5305 04/13

Pivot Arms

Qty. 2

Center Drive Tube

Qty. 1

Gussets

Qty. 4

Drivers Side End Stops

Qty. 2

Vinyl Tubes

Qty. 4

Clamps (Stainless Steel)

Qty. 4

Front Cross-Member Assembly

Qty. 1

Rear Cross-Member Assembly

Qty. 1

Front Drive Tube

Qty. 1

Rear Drive Tube/Handle Assembly

Qty. 1

Mounting Bases

Qty. 4

Cylinder

Qty. 1

2

Ladder Stops

Qty. 2

Ladder Supports

Qty. 2

Black Plastic Bushings

Qty. 2

White Plastic Bushings

Qty. 2

FASTENER CHART

5/16-18 x 4-1/4" Hex Hd. Bolt

5/16-18 x 2-3/4" Hex Hd. Bolt

3/8-16 x 2-1/4" Hex Hd. Bolt

5/16-18 x 2-1/2" Phillips Flat Hd. Screw

5/16-18 x 2" Hex Hd. Bolt

5/16-18 x 4-1/2" Hex Hd. Bolt (not shown)

1/4-20 Nylon Lock Nut

5/16-18 Nylon Lock Nut

3/8-16 Nylon Lock Nut

5/16-18 x 2" Carriage Bolt (Packaged
only with the Model 252 for GM Vans)

5/16-18 x 1-1/2" Carriage Bolt (Packaged
only with the Model 251 for Ford Vans)

5/16-18 x 1" Phillips Flat Hd. Screw

Aluminum Bushing

1/4" Flat Washer

5/16" Flat Washer

3/8" Flat Washer

1/4-20 x 2" Bent Bolt

3

Clevis Pin

Black Flat Plastic Bushing

Cotter Pin

REAR PASSENGER SIDE ROTATION ASSEMBLY

NOTE: Verify Right Hand

Configuration shown.

4

STEP 1

Use the supplied lubricant and coat the pre-assembled
Black Plastic Bushing (A). Insert Rear Drive Tube/Handle
Assembly (B) into the larger Black Plastic Bushing (C) in
the Rear Cross-Member Assembly (D) so that the black
bushings are fully seated.

(A)

(D)

(C)

NOTE: Large Black Plastic Bushings
are keyed to fit the Cross-Members

(B)

STEPS 2 & 3

Slide a White Plastic Bushing (A) onto the Rear Drive Tube (B) until it is
butted up to the Cross-Member (C). Align holes in the tube and bushing.
Slide the Pivot Arm (D) over the tube and bushing, align holes, and install
the 3/8-16 x 2-1/4" Fastener. Next install the 5/16-18 x 4-1/4" Fastener
with four Flat Plastic bushings (E) as shown.

(E)

(2) 3/8" Flat
Washer

5/16-18 x 4-1/4"
Hex Hd. Bolt

(C)

5/16-18 Nylon
Lock Nut

* 3/8-16 x 2-1/4"
Hex Hd. Bolt

(B)

NOTE: Tighten all marked (*)
fasteners to 200 in. lbs.

(D)

(2) 3/8" Flat
Washer

(A)

3/8-16 Nylon
Lock Nut

STEP 4

Place the Ladder Support (A) on top of
the Connecting Tube (B) and install the
5/16-18 x 2-3/4" Fastener.

(2) 5/16" Flat
Washer

5/16-18 x 2-3/4"
Hex Hd. Bolt

5/16-18 Nylon
Lock Nut

(A)

STEP 5

Place the Ladder Stop (A) on top of the Cross-Member (B)
and install the 5/16-18 x 2-1/2" Fastener (Flat Hd. Screw).

(B)

5

(A)

5/16" Flat
Washer

5/16-18 Nylon
Lock Nut

(B)

5/16-18 x 2-1/2"
Flat Hd. Screw

FRONT ROTATION ASSEMBLY

6

STEP 6

Use the supplied lubricant ( Vaseline™) and coat the pre-assembled Black Plastic Bushing (A). Insert Front Drive Tube
(B) into the larger Black Plastic Bushing (C) in the Front Crossmember Assembly (D) so that the black bushings are fully
seated.

(A)

(D)

STEPS 7 & 8

Slide a White Plastic Bushing (A) onto the Front Drive Tube (B) until it is
butted up to the Cross-Member (C). Align holes in the tube and bushing.
Slide the Pivot Arm (D) over the tube and bushing, align holes, and install
the 3/8-16 x 2-1/4" Fastener. Next install the 5/16-18 x 4-1/4" Fastener
with four Flat Plastic (E) bushings as shown.

(E)

(D)

5/16-18 Nylon
Lock Nut

NOTE: Tighten all marked (*)
fasteners to 200 in. lbs.

* 3/8-16 x 2-1/4"
Hex Hd. Bolt

(2) 3/8" Flat
Washer

(2) 3/8" Flat
Washer

(B)

(C)

(C)

5/16-18 x 4-1/ 4"
Hex Hd. Bolt

(B)

(A)

3/8-16 Nylon
Lock Nut

STEP 9

Place the Ladder Support (A) on top of
the Connecting Tube (B) and install the
5/16-18 x 2-3/4" Fastener.

5/16-18 x 2-3/4"
Hex Hd. Bolt

(A)

7

5/16-18 Nylon
Lock Nut

(2) 5/16" Flat
Washer

(B)

STEP 10

Place the Ladder Stop (A) on top of the Cross-Member (B)
and install the 5/16-18 x 2-1/2" Fastener (Flat Hd. Screw).

5/16-18 x 2-1/2"
Flat Hd. Screw

5/16" Flat
Washer

5/16-18 Nylon
Lock Nut

(A)

(B)

8

Cotter Pin

Clevis Pin

CYLINDER INSTALLATION

5/16-18 Nylon

Lock Nut

(B)

(A)

(3) 3/8" Flat

Washer

9

(C)

5/16-18 x 4-1/2"

Hex Hd. Bolt

STEP 11

NOTE: Turn the Flow Control

counter clockwise to release

pressure. Adjust Flow Control

Screw Per Instruction Decal

On Handle Tube after final as-

sembly and installation.

STEP 12

Attach front of Cylinder as shown. Bend over

Insert Aluminum Bushing (A) into Rear

Cross-Member (B). Attach back of Cylinder (C)

to crossmember by installing 5/16-18 x 4-1/2"

Fastener.

Cotter Pin after inserting it through Clevis Pin.

"B" Pillar

Front Pivot Arm

5'

6'

7'

8'

HOW TO DETERMINE RACK LENGTH FOR YOUR VAN

5' or 6' or 7' or 8'

APPROX.

12"

Center a Mounting Base over the "B" pillar behind the front door. Next set a Mounting Base approx. 12" from the rear of the gutter to the rear of the base. Mea-

sure the distance between the bases (center to center) round to the nearest foot dimension. The rack is predrilled at 12" spacing for 5', 6', 7', and 8' lengths.

10

USE THESE HOLES FOR DESIRED LENGTH

Rear Pivot Arm

(8) 5/16" Flat

Washer

(4) 5/16-18 x 2"

Hex Hd. Bolt

FRONT TO REAR DRIVE TUBE ASSEMBLY

STEP 13

Locate desired front to rear length

(5' or 6' or 7' or 8') and install

5/16-18 x 2" Fasteners

(Tighten fasteners to 200 in. lbs.)

(4) 5/16-18

Nylon Lock

Nut

11

STEP 14

Cover any exposed holes on Front and Rear Drive Tubes

with the 1" Dia. Vinyl Hole Covers

STEP 15

Seal the ends of the Center Drive Tube, the four 5/16-18 Fasteners,

and the two 3/8-16 Fasteners with the tube of sealant supplied.

VEHICLE MOUNTING PROCEDURE

NOTE:
Rotation section not
shown for clarity

If installing a Model 252 on a Chevy
or GMC van, the mounting base must
contact the van roof as shown below.
Due to excess body caulk in some gut­ters on GM vans, it may be necessary
to cut a portion of the caulk out and
then re-caulk after installation is com­plete.

MODEL 252

GM APPLICATION

5/16-18 x 2"
Carriage Bolt

Mounting Base must contact the
roof gutter.

12

Caulk

STEP 16 (PASSENGER SIDE Front and Rear)

Attach Mounting Base (A) to Gusset (B), Cross-Member (C),
and Clamp (D) with fasteners shown.

(5) 5/16 Flat
Washer

(2) 5/16-18 x 2-3/4"
Hex Hd. Bolt

(A)

(C)

NOTE:
Rotation section not
shown for clarity

NOTE: To allow for final
fit-up, do not tighten
these fasteners at this
time.

NOTE:
Use inside
mounting holes
for Ford, GM.
Use outside
mounting holes
for Dodge.

5/16-18 x 1-1/2" Carr. Bolt for Model 251 (Ford)

5/16-18 x 2" Carr. Bolt for Model 252 (GM)

STEP 17 (DRIVER SIDE Front and Rear)

Attach Mounting Base (A) to Gusset (B) and Clamp (C) with
fastener shown. Tighten only the 5/16-18 x 1" Phillips Screw,
leave all other fasteners loose for easier mounting on vehicle.

1/4-20 x 2"
Bent Bolt

(C)
(2) 1/4-20
Flat Washer

1/4-20 Nylon
Lock Nut

(3) 5/16-18 Nylon
Lock Nut

(B)

1/4-20 x 2"
Bent Bolt

(2) 1/4" Flat
Washer

(D)

1/4-20 Nylon
Lock Nut

5/16-18 x 1" Phillips
Flat Hd. Screw

(A)

(B)

(2) 5/16-18
Flat Washer

(2) 5/16-18
Nylon Lock Nut

5/16-18 x 1-1/2" Carr. Bolt for Model 251 (Ford)

5/16-18 x 2" Carr. Bolt for Model 252 (GM)

STEP 18 (DRIVER SIDE Front and Rear)

Attach Driver Side End Stop (A) to
Cross-Member (B) with 5/16-18 x 2-3/4"
Fasteners.

(2) 5/16-18 x 2-3/4"
Hex Hd. Bolt

STEP 19 (DRIVER SIDE Front)

Attach Mounting Base with Gusset and clamp (A) to
Cross-Member (B) with 5/16-18 x 2-3/4" Fasteners.

(4) 5/16-18 Flat

NOTE: To allow for final

Washer

fit-up, do not tighten
these fasteners at this
time.

(A)

5/16-18 Nylon
Lock Nut

(B)

(4) 5/16-18 Flat
Washer

5/16-18 Nylon
Lock Nut

(B)

(2) 5/16-18 x 2-3/4"
Hex Hd. Bolt

(A)

13

STEP 20 (DRIVER SIDE Rear)
FORD & DODGE ONLY

The GM Rear Cross-Member has one set of holes
as shown in Step 19

Use these two
holes for Ford

STEP 21 (DRIVER SIDE Rear)

Attach Mounting Base with
Gusset and Clamp (A) to
Cross-Member (B)
with 5/16-18 x 2-3/4"
Fasteners.

NOTE: To allow for final
fit-up, do not tighten
these fasteners at this
time.

(2) 5/16-18 x 2-3/4"
Hex Hd. Bolt

5/16-18 Nylon
Lock Nut

(4) 5/16-18 Flat
Washer

(B)

Use these two
holes for Dodge

STEP 22
WITH HELP! Place entire unit on vehicle in desired position. Check to verify that the Handle clears the rear of the van.

It may be necessary to move the rack to the rear.

STEP 23

Install the Vinyl Tubes (A) on vehicle gutters
(centered on the Mounting Bases).
Passenger Side Shown

NOTE:
Rotation section
and gutter clamp not
shown for clarity

(A)

STEP 24

First snug the carriage bolts (A) and then tighten the bent bolts (B). Fully tighten
the carriage bolts last.
Passenger Side Shown

NOTE: At the end of the first week
of use, check all fasteners for proper
tightness and then every three
months thereafter.

MODEL 251

FORD APPLICATION

MODEL 252

GM APPLICATION

NOTE: Tighten all loose
fasteners at this time.

(A)

(B)

(A) 1-1/2" Long
Carriage Bolt

NOTE:
Rotation section not shown for clarity

14

(B)

(A) 2" Long
Carriage Bolt

FINAL ASSEMBLY

NOTE: Adjust Flow Control
Screw Per Instruction Decal
On Handle Tube.

LIMITED WARRANTY

This LIMITED WARRANTY is made by Knaack LLC, 420 E. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake, Illinois to the original retail purchaser of KNAACK® or WEATHER GUARD®
products.

Knaack LLC WARRANTS THAT KNAACK OR WEATHER GUARD PRODUCTS WILL BE FREE FROM DEFECTS IN MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP FOR A
PERIOD OF THREE (3) YEARS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE BY THE ORIGINAL RETAIL PURCHASER.

If, before the expiration of the Warranty period, purchaser discovers that the KNAACK or WEATHER GUARD product fails to fulfill the Warranty, purchaser shall contact
Knaack LLC to make arrangements for an inspection of the product. If Knaack LLC determines a defect exists, Knaack LLC shall, at its option and expense, repair or
replace any defective part. All Warranty repairs shall be made by an authorized KNAACK Product dealer or Knaack LLC approved service company.

This Warranty shall not apply if the KNAACK or WEATHER GUARD product has been subjected to misuse, abnormal service or handling, improper maintenance,
or alterations made by anyone other than a KNAACK or WEATHER GUARD Product dealer or a Knaack LLC approved service company.

THE WARRANTY PRINTED ABOVE IS THE ONLY WARRANTY APPLICABLE TO THIS PURCHASE. ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUD­ING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED.

Knaack LLC SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY. NOR
SHALL THE DAMAGES EXCEED THE RETURN AMOUNT OF THE PURCHASE PRICE PAID BY THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER.

This Warranty is in lieu of all Warranties express or implied. The terms of this Warranty shall not be modified by any party, their successors or assigns. This Warranty
gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

Product fits based on vehicle design available at the revision date. Vehicle manufacturers may
change specs after the revision date, so if you have a vehicle produced with a model year date
after the revision date, please contact your distributor or Knaack LLC to verify fitting of prod-uct
to vehicle.

If you have any questions, please call our customer service department at 1-800-456-7865.
WEATHER GUARD Products are protected by one or more of the following patents: U.S.
5145087, 5308126, 4509787, 4573731, 4618083, D-346355, D-346994, D-353574; Canada
1218968, 1224230, 1235100 and; U.K. 2233036. Other patents pending.

KNAACK LLC

420 E. Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake, IL 60014, 815-459-6020, [e-mail]

©2013 Knaack LLC

Made In China

Refer to www.weatherguard.com for list of replacement parts for these racks.

Part No. 24-0097 REV. L ECN 5305 04/13