I have be doing some research, trying to find a (preferably steel) ladder rack. I want it to come up over the cab, to maximize the span that I can carry. Most of the crossbars on the racks I have found so far are very tall and sit way high (like a good 6" above the cab). I would like to find something that sits low over the cab (with just enough clearance to safely clear the roof of the cab). I realize that the radio antenna would stick up above the height of cross bars, but I figured I could simply temporarily remove it, if I needed to place large sheets of material on the rack. I am a welder, by profession, but constantly find myself reminding people, as well as myself, that just because I have the ability to make something custom, there is often a much cheaper/ easier mass produced product I can simply purchase. I may still make one from scratch to meet my specific needs, but I feel like by the time I am done, it will probably be as expensive if not more than most racks you can buy. I have also considered buying a rack and modifying it to meet my needs/ fit my truck. If anyone has any photos of racks that they like, I'd love to see them. Any advice is much appreciated. I should also mention that I have a crew cab, short bed. I included a picture of my truck because, who doesn't like posting pic's pf their trucks! Thanks!
Chris Patterson
Ladder rack suggestions
I have be doing some research, trying to find a (preferably steel) ladder rack. I want it to come up over the cab, to maximize the span that I can carry. Most of the crossbars on the racks I have found so far are very tall and sit way high (like a good 6" above the cab). I would like to find something that sits low over the cab (with just enough clearance to safely clear the roof of the cab). I realize that the radio antenna would stick up above the height of cross bars, but I figured I could simply temporarily remove it, if I needed to place large sheets of material on the rack. I am a welder, by profession, but constantly find myself reminding people, as well as myself, that just because I have the ability to make something custom, there is often a much cheaper/ easier mass produced product I can simply purchase. I may still make one from scratch to meet my specific needs, but I feel like by the time I am done, it will probably be as expensive if not more than most racks you can buy. I have also considered buying a rack and modifying it to meet my needs/ fit my truck. If anyone has any photos of racks that they like, I'd love to see them. Any advice is much appreciated. I should also mention that I have a crew cab, short bed. I included a picture of my truck because, who doesn't like posting pic's pf their trucks! Thanks!
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Do you think you would be happy with a telescopic rack (thule)? Had one on my 2010 Canyon that I modified to work with my tonneau, still planning to do it to my 15. I usually kept the front bar in place and it held extension ladder without a problem (on an angle). When needed, i installed the rear rack and carried several ladders. I should have a pic somewhere if you're curious. There are other members here that run with racks as well.
I'm not completely sure I know what you mean. I would love to see a picture if you have one. I have seen Thule's trac-rac system and their cantilever attachment thingy. I don't think their cantilever attachment would stick out very far over the cab and ideally, I would like to have the front most cross bar go almost right up to the top of the windshield. This would maximize the length of "floppy" material I could carry, and I would probably try to find a way to mount my roof light bar to the front of it as well. I don't mind if the total height of the rack is a bit taller than the truck, I just don't want 6 inches of wasted space between my roof and the bottom of the rack. Thanks for the help!
Here is something similar to what I want. It's nothing that out of the ordinary, I just don't want it way up at full size truck height. I have seen people with headache racks designed to protect the back of full size trucks on their mid size rides, and it looks ridiculous in my opinion. Not to mention the impact on their aerodynamics/ MPG, having a giant wall sticking up from behind their cabs. I realize that the height of a ladder rack wont really impact mileage and air flow much, but the height mismatch would just drive me nuts!
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