Drilling into rear door for ladder install question...

[rybyrnes]

I was gifted a ladder off of an E350 and seeing if I can make it work on our rear passenger side door. It hooks at the top and bolts in at the bottom but the place where I'd need to drill through for the bottom isn't one piece of sheet metal (see picture, yellow X marks are approx location of bottom bolt holes of ladder). I was already hesitant to use a ladder requiring any drilling but not sure if I'll just mess something up if I try to drill through this section - thoughts? A free ladder is nice so it'd be nice to use if I can.

 

[Motormad]

Personally not keen on ladders, but that is not the question you are asking.
To my mind, it is good that the fixings will go through the strengthener because the skin of the door has almost zero strength to resist horizontal movement. I would fill the void between the strengthener and the skin with a less compressible adhesive, let it set, then bolt through both layers

 

[marklg]

The BEG should tell you where you can and where you can't drill.

Mercedes-Benz Vans Upfitter Portal-BEG

www.mbvans.com

Also look for installation of tire carriers. I believe they add supports inside the door. The hinges are strong. The door is only sheet metal.

Regards,

Mark