I am starting to think about designing and building a new ladder rack system for my truck.
I wanted some feedback and ideas from other ladder rack users.
I am going to mount my weatherguard hi-side tool boxes along the sides of them. , one on each side along the bed rails. The ladder rack will go over the cab of the truck to allow for ladders and longer lumber.
I will probably add a headache rack with an opening for the sliding rear window. I was thinking about a pvc tube to carry my levels in as well. Maybe even some sort of mounting system for a custom pvc coated tarp to stretch over below the ladder area for a bit of weather resistance for the bed and my chop and table saw. Built in tie down straps for the ladder racks.
Any other ideas that you can think of? Any brands that have worked well or ideas that you have that you care to share?
Thanks.
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I am going to mount my weatherguard hi-side tool boxes along the sides of them.
Make sure there's enough width between the uprights so you can load 4x8 sheet goods on top of the tool boxes below the horizontal members of the racks. I'm not sure how far those boxes encroach on the bed width.
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My welder fabber guy screwed up my rack two ways.
One is the rack was too wide for the stake holes, like 1.5" and we had to sledge hammer it in...not that big of a deal and he offered to correct it, by cutting and scabbing..but I chose not to. I wish I had now, it's almost impossible to remove, and I would have liked to yesterday to have sand dumped in the bed.
Also, being too wide, it drips on my door windows, leaving a rusty ( I should have painted it) trail, or drips dew on me when driving early in the AM.
I also would have gotten a swinging back bar, its a head knocker loading fire wood.
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my piperack is just a headache rack at the window and then another unit at the tailgate, so If I,n not carring a ladder, I dont have all the overhead. both are removeable.
google "system 1"
their stuff rules!