This year I decided to save myself some money and buy a cheap (PepBoys) ladder rack for one of my trucks. I certainly did not expect much and anticipated it may not last as long but my bank roll was a little light at the time.
Needless to say I was certainly getting what I paid for. One of the Allen key screws broke off and the entire rack swung around and just about went through my back window!!
Do yourself a favor and if you do purchase one of these “cheap” ladder racks for your vehicle modify it a bit. Drill out all of the Allen key screws and buy yourself some nice stainless bolts to replace them.
Everytime I think I have the solution, a new problem comes up.
The latest; I like the idea of a clean, shiny aluminum rack with a bed cover…
Then I see how much my guys “looove” their new found freedom to lean over the sides and grab stuff.
I’m really a fanatic about my "footprint."
I take up little space, so it’s usually easier for the squeeze in to tight spaces,
than to spend the time moving shit.
I’m also obnoxiously observant to where any scratchy point of contact is, from me to any object, at any given time.
And I stress that to my guys, but somehow, they will find some random zipper to rub up against the most precious piece on the property.
Yeah, call me "anal."
But I’m not asking for the impossible.
I have a TracRac with the cantilever extension for long ladders, and I love it. It looks real professional, it’s adjustable (supports can slide to whatever position suits you), and it supports up to 1000 lbs. That’s a lot of ladders.
And before you dismiss it, I got it for about half what a new one would cost because I patiently waited for one on Craigslist. I had to drive about an hour away but it was soooo worth it.
This is the type of racks I have been using for over 15 years, they are the standard go to racks here in Australia for all successful traidies, however they are not cheap but will last longer then your vehicle, and so easy to load and unload only 1 strap.
i just placed a order for a tracrac tracone universal for my tundra,been looking for a year and everyone around here has them, and not one person said they did not like it. got it from home cheapo $ 298
