Best Truck Ladder Racks in 2022

Last update: January 19, 2023

Are headache racks worth it?

A headache rack is a device installed on the back of a pickup truck that helps protect the cab of the truck from shifting cargo. It is essentially a metal frame with horizontal bars that extend from the back of the cab to the front of the bed. Headache racks can be purchased for around $200 and can be installed in about an hour. So, are headache racks worth it? The answer is a resounding yes! Headache racks are an extremely valuable addition to any pickup truck. They provide an extra level of protection for the cab of the truck, and can help to

Are System One ladder racks universal?

System One ladder racks are indeed universal, and can be used on any type of vehicle. They are easy to install and remove, and are adjustable to fit any width of vehicle. System One ladder racks are also very sturdy and can accommodate any type of ladder.

How do you measure a truck box?

There are a few ways to measure a truck box. The first is to measure the length, width, and height of the box. The second is to measure the length of the bed of the truck. The third is to use a tape measure to get the length and width of the box.

How do you transport a 20 foot ladder?

If you need to transport a 20 foot ladder, you will need a vehicle that can accommodate the length and weight of the ladder. A truck or trailer is typically the best option. You will need to secure the ladder so it does not shift during transport. You can use straps or rope to tie the ladder down. Be sure to test the stability of the load before you start driving.


X-BULL New Recovery Traction Tracks Sand Mud Snow Track Tire Ladder 4WD (3Gen, Blue) Review:


For a distant elk hunt in Wyoming, I invested thousands of dollars on a winch bumper and winch. I had only planned to get one pair of these boards in black, but I decided to add a second set in olive since I figured it would be good insurance if the winch wasn't able to help. When we were inches from a drop off and there was 10 to 14 inches of snow, I employed the four boards in a variety of situations. In both cases, we had to move backward rather than forward (winch was front mounted). Those boards have amazing powers! I saw testimonials about them dissolving. The tires on my quite good off-road tires simply grasped the boards and walked out of our sticky situations when I went slowly, generally in 4 low but occasionally. I even utilized them to assist a guy with BFG ATs in a Chevy Avalanche. The next person was about two hours away, but we were 3 hours from mobile service. I firmly believe! In addition, I utilized a rooftop tent and these to level the car on a crooked surface. I have a 3/4 ton Excursion that is completely loaded, and they did not shatter even in -10°F temperatures. They remain in excellent condition even after numerous recoveries and overnight parking. Not one kink, melt, or break. We utilized them in some difficult circumstances, but we were too focused on trying to avoid tumbling down a ravine at the time to remember to snap pictures of them. However, I've included pictures of how I used them to level under my silly heavy setup.Updated 1/28/19 to illustrate how I attached them to my spare tire using ratchet straps. In order to avoid theft, I was also able to fit a cable lock into the holes molded into the boards.



ECOTRIC Adjustable Full Size Truck Contractor Ladder Pickup Lumber Utility Kayak Rack(Notice:You Will Receive Two Packages for This Item) Review:


This ladder rack is well-built. The directions are quite hazy. You must be prepared to figure out how to assemble it on your own. We had several additional washers that did not fit any of the offered bolts and some missing hardware. In addition, this ladder rack is rather noisy. It is incredibly durable and effective. We are happy with it overall.



Traxion 5-100 Tailgate Ladder Review:


The ladder is a worthwhile investment of money ($42.53) and time (3 hours to install, fix, and re-install) once I had everything fixed.My Dodge RAM 3500 has a sprayed-on bed liner, so it was possible to position the mounting plate for flat support AND clearance underneath the tonneau cover. I don't see how it could be done without drilling through a liner. Even so, I had to relocate it at least three more times while sealing the incorrectly drilled holes with black RTV.Furthermore, the instructions do not make it apparent that in order to effectively "use" the ladder, you must "peak" the Rocker Arms, which is absolutely unsafe until the bolts are changed. The hinge bars clear the tailgate support cable when you "peak" them.A. The instructions instruct the user to "Use a #5 (9/64") drill bit." WRONG! The 9/64" drill bit would not function, only the #5 drill bit (with a.2055" diameter) (which only has .1406" diameter). The shorter screws and a single layer of sheet metal "may" work with the smaller drill, but NOT the longer screws!B. Using a 1/2" or 13mm wrench is specified in the list of tools. WRONG! 6mm metric allen-head cap screws and nuts are used on the provided bolts. A 10mm wrench and hex wrench are needed for these.CRITICAL DEFICIT. The holes in the Rocker Arms and Climbing Section look to be sized according to the original specification, which, based on the 1/2" wrench, I assume was for a 5/16" bolt. A 6mm bolt can fit through the risers on the Mounting Plate, Straight Tube, and Offset Tube. So if you use the supplied fasteners, what you end up with is an EXTREMELY shaky assembly.The remedy Everything was drilled to a diameter of 5/16". I utilized Nylok non-loosening nuts and 5/16-18 x 1-1/2" Grade 5 bolts where they were needed (4 bolts, 4 nuts). (4) 5/16" SAE Flat Washers were also utilized by me to fill up the gaps at the hinge positions. The pivot bolts were sufficiently tightened together to permit movement but prevent free play. The two bolts joining the portion for climbing were tightened.Instead of the much, much smaller 6mm ones from the Chinese kit, I used 5/16" diameter x 2" Overall Length Steel Locking Pins (2) for the removable pins.After making these adjustments, the ladder was very simple to set, quite steady when going up or down, and very secure once it was fastened to the tailgate.If you examine the patent for the ladder design, I think it specifies 5/16" bolts. Good fortune!26-Sep-2017. I increased my rating from three to five stars after using the ladder for a while. The final two stars, though, are mine. Since I had to have both of my knees replaced, the ladder has REALLY improved access to the truck bed.



REESE Carry Power 7054900 TransRack Conduit Carrier Review:


Although I am using it to transport fishing rods, I can see utilizing it to transport a lot of conduit. My 7' and the 6' rods are my longest "PVC, I'm able to keep the reels in place. A few words about why I appreciate this Reece song, followed by some installation advice...The end caps and U-bolts required to secure it to your rack are also included in this package. The U-bolts appear to be made of high-quality stainless steel, and the aluminum end cap and door have a baked-on appearance. Since I'm mounting it on a car roof rack, I set it up such that the door would open. It remains there throughout loading and unloading. If there is space, you may have it open down or to the side. The spring-loaded latch maintains a tight seal on the door and has an adjustable latch tension. The largest padlocks can fit through the hole for attaching a lock.Eight screws, four for each end, are provided for installation. You can use rivets instead, as stated in the directions, and I did. 5/32" diameter and 1/2" grip are suitable. Having some 3/16 "Since we had rivets on hand, drilling would not have been necessary. Just the thought of a burglar being four screws away from my rods and reels bothered me. I positioned the rivets on the door from the inside out such that the smooth side faced my hand when loading. To dress it up, I used silicone to attach some chrome screw covers to the rivets (available at motorbike or auto stores).The 40 6 "PVC pipe has just a tiny bit of additional area for the caps. I wrapped a half "Before installing the caps and drilling the rivet holes, wrap a strip of duct tape twice around the pipe to ensure a tight fit. Watertightness is achieved by sealing the edge with a tiny silicone bead.A clean area is sculpted into each cap where you may add your contact information. I wrote my license number with an ancient electric etching tool. That should serve as an additional theft deterrent.Out of the 10" PVC tubing, I used 8-1/2". I could have used about 7' 8" for the pipe and my longest rods, which are 7" long, if I had spaced the four rod/reels evenly in the door end. With the additional length, I can snugly fit eight reels by inserting four more reels backward.Lastly, I had considered building a rod holder out of wood and hardware that was rated for outdoor use. I discovered that this approach was just 10% to 20% more expensive overall, more weather resistant, and required significantly less work.



X-BULL New Recovery Traction Tracks Sand Mud Snow Track Tire Ladder 4WD (3Gen, Blue) Review:


For a distant elk hunt in Wyoming, I invested thousands of dollars on a winch bumper and winch. I had only planned to get one pair of these boards in black, but I decided to add a second set in olive since I figured it would be good insurance if the winch wasn't able to help. When we were inches from a drop off and there was 10 to 14 inches of snow, I employed the four boards in a variety of situations. In both cases, we had to move backward rather than forward (winch was front mounted). Those boards have amazing powers! I saw testimonials about them dissolving. The tires on my quite good off-road tires simply grasped the boards and walked out of our sticky situations when I went slowly, generally in 4 low but occasionally. I even utilized them to assist a guy with BFG ATs in a Chevy Avalanche. The next person was about two hours away, but we were 3 hours from mobile service. I firmly believe! In addition, I utilized a rooftop tent and these to level the car on a crooked surface. I have a 3/4 ton Excursion that is completely loaded, and they did not shatter even in -10°F temperatures. They remain in excellent condition even after numerous recoveries and overnight parking. Not one kink, melt, or break. We utilized them in some difficult circumstances, but we were too focused on trying to avoid tumbling down a ravine at the time to remember to snap pictures of them. However, I've included pictures of how I used them to level under my silly heavy setup.Updated 1/28/19 to illustrate how I attached them to my spare tire using ratchet straps. In order to avoid theft, I was also able to fit a cable lock into the holes molded into the boards.



AA-Racks Model APX25 Extendable Aluminum Pick-Up Truck Ladder Rack (No drilling required) - Sandy Black Review:


To transport kayaks on top and my ATV and camping gear underneath, I purchased the AA Model APX25 Aluminum ladder rack to install to the top rail of my 5' x 10' Aluminum Utility Trailer. I also got the AA KX325 J-bar set when I bought this ladder rack (includes 4 j-bars to accommodate 2 kayaks). Due to FEDEX, my order was shipped one day later than expected, and the box was damaged when it came. The carrier is to fault for that. The cross bar had two little dings, but I decided it was worth wrapping it again to replace them.The racks are powder coated, and they look extremely professional. I decided on the silver color to match my trailer. While I was placing them in the driveway, I actually overheard neighbors praising them. The instructions are pretty simple to follow, and the hardware is all packed well. I took my time and did the installation myself; in total, I would say it took me around 2 hours of actual labor time. I didn't need to tweak anything to get things to function because everything fit together nicely. They come with aluminum clamps that are ideal for mounting to a vehicle bed.The issue I had was that the accompanying clamps were too tiny for the purpose for which I was trying to utilize them since I was trying to mount this on my utility trailer, which has a 1 1/2" aluminum top rail. I got in touch with the business to seek for guidance and to find out if they had any larger clamps. I received a prompt email answer that included installation advice from their technicians. For $6.50 apiece, I decided to buy larger clamps from a nearby truck supplier, and they are perfect for my use. One more thing to notice is that because I got the j-bars separately rather than in a package with a rack, they didn't have the proper mounting bracket for the wide bars of the APX25 rack. When I called customer care, they swiftly located the appropriate brackets and had them mailed to me the same day for no additional charge. I was ecstatic with the level of customer service. They responded to my call promptly and took care of my issue. What else could you possibly need from a customer service department?I'm happy with every aspect of my purchase, including how they installed and how they appear. They are very strong, and the adjustable tie downs are a welcome addition, particularly for those who need to secure ladders, lumber, or even kayaks or canoes without a j-bar. If you're looking, I'd definitely suggest the AA Racks APX25 Aluminum Ladder Rack. Buying this won't let you down.My two kayaks are simply sitting on top of the pictures I've posted so I can get a sense of the length for the installation. Even though these fishing kayaks are wider, there is still plenty of space. If I hadn't bought the j-bars, I would likely have just bought some foam padding that slid over the crossbars and carried them that way. To link ratchet straps to tie down, I affixed d-rings to the deck of my trailer and used Rhino soft loops on my carry handles.



AA-Racks Non-Drilling Truck Rack, Pick-up Truck Utility Ladder Rack Matte Black (USPTO Patent Pending Review:


These are well-fitting and hold a lot of weight.I've carried a 28-foot fiberglass ladder and many 16-foot wood planks without any problems. They were even utilized twice to secure a cable winch that I was using to raise a 400-pound wood heater and haul my ATV into the trailer. The racks made no movement. Without a doubt, I'd suggest them.Overall, I'm happy with my purchase, and I consider these to be a fantastic deal.My bed rails have a curve to them and left a small gap at the outer edge when I mounted the racks on my 1996 GMC Sonoma. The clamps worked great, but I'm not sure what may be done to repair that. For further security, I might drill and bolt the racks into place. It might look better if the cross bar were a few inches lower, but I assume that's why people get custom-fit racks, which cost four times as much. I also observed that it sits a little high for the profile of my truck.



X-BULL New Recovery Traction Tracks Sand Mud Snow Track Tire Ladder 4WD (3Gen, Red) Review:


For a distant elk hunt in Wyoming, I invested thousands of dollars on a winch bumper and winch. I had only planned to get one pair of these boards in black, but I decided to add a second set in olive since I figured it would be good insurance if the winch wasn't able to help. When we were inches from a drop off and there was 10 to 14 inches of snow, I employed the four boards in a variety of situations. In both cases, we had to move backward rather than forward (winch was front mounted). Those boards have amazing powers! I saw testimonials about them dissolving. The tires on my quite good off-road tires simply grasped the boards and walked out of our sticky situations when I went slowly, generally in 4 low but occasionally. I even utilized them to assist a guy with BFG ATs in a Chevy Avalanche. The next person was about two hours away, but we were 3 hours from mobile service. I firmly believe! In addition, I utilized a rooftop tent and these to level the car on a crooked surface. I have a 3/4 ton Excursion that is completely loaded, and they did not shatter even in -10°F temperatures. They remain in excellent condition even after numerous recoveries and overnight parking. Not one kink, melt, or break. We utilized them in some difficult circumstances, but we were too focused on trying to avoid tumbling down a ravine at the time to remember to snap pictures of them. However, I've included pictures of how I used them to level under my silly heavy setup.Updated 1/28/19 to illustrate how I attached them to my spare tire using ratchet straps. In order to avoid theft, I was also able to fit a cable lock into the holes molded into the boards.



MaxxHaul 70233 Heavy Duty Ladder Rack. Review:


The 'Allen wrench' bolts that tighten the racks down inside the sleeves they fit into are the one thing I didn't like. To make it simpler to tighten and loosen, I swapped those out for straightforward hex head bolts. Model to model will differ in how and where the sleeves are mounted inside the bed, but that is to be expected. Prepare to drill holes for mounting and make careful to go all the way through the bed when doing so. Avoid giving in and attempting to utilize self tapping sheet metal screws, like I did at first. You'll be let down. These can be tricky to install, but once done right, they provide a fine, functional ladder rack that should last for many years. My 2015 Nissan Frontier king cab has my installed. I'm happy with the ladder rack overall.


How do you transport a large ladder in a truck?

If you need to transport a large ladder in a truck, you will need to secure it in place so it doesn't shift during transit. You can do this by tying it down with rope or straps. Be sure to use a sturdy ladder that is rated for the weight of the materials you'll be transporting.

How far can a ladder stick out of a truck?

A ladder can extend out of the back of a truck as long as the truck is able to accommodate the length of the ladder. The further the ladder extends out, the more careful the driver needs to be while driving.

How much do truck racks weigh?

Truck racks are designed to be durable and strong, but they also need to be lightweight. The average truck rack weighs between 50 and 100 pounds. The weight will vary depending on the size and style of the rack. The weight is also affected by the materials used to construct the rack.

How much weight can a ladder rack hold?

How much weight can a Thule truck rack hold?

A Thule truck rack can hold a lot of weight, depending on the model. The TracRac TracONE can hold up to 1,000 pounds, while the TracRac SR can hold up to 500 pounds.

How much weight can a TRAC rack hold?

TRAC racks are designed to hold a variety of weights, depending on the model. The TRAC 2.5 can hold up to 250 pounds, while the TRAC 3.0 can hold up to 300 pounds.