I'm looking at ladder racks for my truck and was wondering what everyone else had. now to be honest it will rarely be used for ladders, more for hauling steel from the supplier to my house. but i also want to put lights above my cab. i see them all the time and haven't actually seen any i like, although Warn Industries - WARN Gen II Trans4mer Mounting System the one on warns website looks good, only problem is i cant find any that look like it.... and yes i can weld like its nobody's business.... just don't have the time.

 

I thought you wanted a bed rack, the Trans4mer is a bumper system.....? If you mean the rack in the pic w/ the bumber, that looks like square aluminum, probably not the best for hauling steel. Weatherguard makes aluminum and steel racks, the steel is rated for 1k, aluminum for only 800.

Crosstread makes the 750 and 1500 series, made out of all 14 ga. tubing. The model number is the weight they're rated for. You could weld some light tabs on, run wires through the tubing, and ground the rack really easily. 750 is rail mount, 1500 is bed mount.

Kargo Master Pro 2, Titan, and SureFit all look about the same, they all mount to the bed rails.

That's honestly the only way I've ever seen anyone with any kind of fab skills end up happy, you know you can't help but wish something was changed on everything you buy. If you're using it to haul steel, it might be worth your time to build one you trust, and hold stuff like you want it to.

 

Try looking at Kargomaster racks. Ive had a set on my truck for over 5 years and they get worked hard nearly every day. They are also rated for 1500 lbs

 

I had a guy in North Carolina make my rack. WWW.ryderracks.com. THe best ladder rack I have ever owned. I am a carpenter and use my rack. But it looks perfect on the truck. He makes them out of anadized aluminum. The welds are perfect and it looks great. I added a lot of extras on mine, extra bars, lights on the rear. Cost me $1300 with shipping from NC to Wisconsin. Best purchase for the new truck yet. Click on the picture of my truck, I have a bunch of photos of the rack.

Tom

 

thanks for the info guys, nice to find some of the smaller companies that do more custom work. although i still havent seen one that grabs me style wise. i guess ill have to bust out the pencil and paper and start laying out a design...

 

I really like the TracRac design. I had the whole works, sliding toolbox, cargo holder, etc. They're rated to 1000lbs, and being able to slide the rear one off the truck or to the front of the box out of the way is a big plus. They're quite sturdy, and worked great for ladders and the occasional lumber, but if you're hauling steel day in and day out, you may want something a little heavier duty with the front and rear racks tied together. Also, the painted aluminum scratched easily, but never got rusty. Hauling steel, they're gonna get scratched without question, so a steel rack may be better so it's easier to touch up every once in a while.

 

find a local fab shop to make what you want. I had one made to haul quads on, two on the rack & two in the bed. they can make any thing you want for about the same cost of a stock rack

 

Are you talking about the "Lumber Racks"?

Where are you located? That might help in coming up with a company local to you. Mine are great but they are from a company in San Jose, California.

 

Check out the Load Runner racks from Adrian Steel. Very sturdy and modular with lots of options. I carry lumber and steel on mine all the time.

Load Runner Pickup Truck Racks & Accessories | Commercial Van & Truck Equipment, Van Shelving, Drawers, Cabinets, Ladder Racks by Adrian Steel