Maximum weight on bed rails?
 

I have a '99 scab. I'm considering building an ATV rack that will mount to the bed rails. I'd like to be able to haul 2 large ATVs without a trailer. I'm guessing that the rack and two ATVs will probably be in the range of 1400 lbs, which is lower than the maximum cargo rating for my truck.

My concern is whether the bed rails will actually safely support this weight. I've found ladder racks on the net that are rated for 1,000 lbs and they use only the bed rails for support, and they are only supported at the four corners. My rack would at least spread the load over the full length of the bed rails.

I've sent an email to Ford for an answer but I bet I won't hear anything of any real use.

Any opinions here?

Thanks,
Keith

im not sure how you plan to mount it, but i dont see a problem with 1400 pounds in the bed. what ever you build has 4 feet on it i guess. each foot should be 2 or 3 inch square pad at a minimul. not 4 small points. you could have a flate plate or skid on the bottom beetween two feet to spread out the load. How does it connect to the bed rails, with the factory bed bolts?

I do not intend to support the weight in the bed - I'm planning to get a "Roll-n-Lock" tonneau cover and I want the rack and ATVs above all of this. Thus, the entire weight of the rack and ATVs will be resting on the bed rails. My objective is to be able to carry all of this with my luggage secure below the tonneau. I want to be able to tow a light boat at the same time, thus the desire to carry the ATVs on the truck rather than a trailer.

I have no doubt that I could carry one ATV in this manner. The ladder rack I mentioned in my original post was rated at 1,000 lbs. I've seen plenty of junky contractor trucks with ladder racks that I'm sure had more than 1,000 lbs. on them so it would probably be ok but I'd like some other opinions.

Thanks,
Keith

1400 lbs in the bed alone in a 150 is close to overdoing it, and putting it just on the bed rails is a joke. I'm not sure I understand the design of this atv rack. How do you plan to put two large atv's in a 150? I wouldn't put more than a couple hundred pounds on the bed rails.

Are you planning to stack these on top of one another?? If you can get one up on top of there, surely you can fit one in the boat while towing it...

But a boat, bed full of luggage, and two ATV's above that, you may wanna start thinkin about a bigger truck http://images.ford-trucks.com/forums...lies/smile.gif

It probably is totally nuts but it doesn't hurt to consider it. Maybe the ATV's would be too much but I bet two dirt bikes could be carried ok and tow a boat.

BTW, the boat and trailer are probably less than 2,000 lbs.

As I said on one of the other Ford truck forums, even if it has merit, I'll probably never get it done due to the other 50 unfinished projects that my wife is tired of stepping over . . .:p !

Thanks for the replies!

Keith

ive seen this type of rack, however it was designed out of aluminum and was wider that the truck.....i think it would work as long as the plywood, aluminum or whatever material you use is spread out and the weight is dispursed across the rails evenely, maybe build a support in the middle of the bed to help support losing a bit of cargo space underneath...id say an 8ft bed would work better but my question is when this rack is built, how are you going to get em up there? i have a hard enough time with my buddies lifting my snowmobile in the back....intresting concept you have here....

I'd planned to use some really long ramps . . . of course I'd have to haul the ramps along. As with most things in life, there's always a "rub".

The more I think about this, the more I think I'll just have another scotch . . . eventually the urge to build yet another contraption will pass. I'll probably just have the wife tow the motorcycles on a borrowed trailer behind the minivan. Much cheaper in the long run and I won't have to store the ugly thing the other 360 days of the year that I don't need it.

Keith

Check this out . . .

http://www.arpatv.com/index2.html

2 large atvs weigh 1400 pounds together??? i know of 1 atv weighing about 1100 pounds on its own. I have seen one of these racks and i wouldnt want to do that to my truck or atv