I am in the roofing business and currently carry a little giant in the back of my expedition. The ladder gets me to 98% of the places I need to get to. The problem is that it is heavy, makes a racket when driving around no matter what I do to it, and is just not that user friendly(heavy and a pain to open up). I need to be able to mount a regular 30' or so aluminum extension ladder to the roof. I want something that is secure and easy to take on and off. Anyone know a system that fits on our stock racks?

 

I'm fairly certain the the stock racks are not strong enough to carry such a ladder on a regular basic. Since there are no rain gutter on an expedition, you're stuck with getting a ladder rack that mounts through the roof.

Something like these.
CrossTread 300-lb. Capacity White Roof-mount Ladder Rack : JC Whitney: Auto Parts & Accessories

 

Nah. You can get a Yakima or Thule bicycle type rack system to fit on your rig. I used to race bikes and we would regularly carry 4-6 bikes on top of our 97 Expy, along with extra wheels. I had a Thule system which, as I remember - don't quote me -, had some machined tabs that slid into the track that your current roof rack cross bars slide in. Then they rotate as you tighten to secure the rack in place. Both of those systems have TONS of options for carrying just about anything that you would need to put on your truck. Google them and or go to a local bike shop that carries that kind of stuff and make the bike shop guys work a little bit to figure out what you need. Just do the right thing and buy from them and not the internet if they help you a lot.
Either of those makers make really good stuff. I think the Thule (pronounced TOOL-ee) cross bars are rectangular in cross-section and the Yakima (say YACK-i-mah) are round.
Good luck, and I hope your business is going better than my GC business.

Big

 

Yeah, I was thinking maybe a Thule system. My only issue with them is they cost an arm and a leg. I will probably look up what I need on the internet and find somewhere to order it. I just can't justify paying high retail at any of my local places.
As far as business we are doing okay. I am not killing it, but doing enough to have a job.

 

Did you ever have any luck with a ladder rack system for your Expy?