If you own a truck, then it is high time you got a truck ladder rack to help you in your day to day activities. They come in handy when you are moving lumbers, pipes, ladders, tubings and other cargo that is long.
They are available in different materials including aluminum and steel. Getting the best truck ladder rack means that, you will be satisfied with the outcome of what it does for you. You will need to get one that is good value for money, the right size for your truck, and of quality material to last you a long time.
It should be tough enough to handle the day to day abuse that you will throw at it. Consider the finish; you need to get one with a stylish finish so that it compliments your fleet colors.
Comparison Of Truck Ladder Racks
Product | Image | |
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1. TMS 800 LB Adjustable Fit 2 Truck Ladder |
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2. AA Products Truck Ladder Rack Model X35 800 lbs |
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3. Thule Truck Rack Xsporter Pro Aluminum |
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4. APEX ATR Truck Rack Ladder |
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5. Zeny Set of 2 Bars Truck Ladder Rack for Truck 650lbs |
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Complete Truck Ladder Rack Reviews
1. TMS 800 LB Adjustable Fit 2 Truck Ladder
It comes in a set of two heavy-duty adjustable steel. It is a ladder rack for trucks which can multifunction, designed to haul longer and bigger items which cannot fit on an average truck bed. It is best for pipes, ladders, pool equipment, lumber.
The frames are sturdy and offer an 800lbs weight capacity. When it comes to installation, it is very easy. You can adjust the width from 5 feet to 7 feet and thus, making it be able to cater for a variety of truck bed sizes.
The items securely attach to the ladder rack and making it provide convenience while at the same time, ensuring that your property is safe without having to worry about them falling along the way.
Pros
- The construction is durable due to the heavy-duty steel used.
- The width is adjustable and thus, can accommodate a variety of truck beds
- The frame is sturdy, offering up to 800lbs weight capacity
- It is easy to assemble and install
- Perfect for handling varies long cargo items
Cons
- Set screw lugs are welded in locations that are inconsistent
- It arrives with scratches – poor shipping
2. AA Products Truck Ladder Rack Model X35 800 lbs
I bought this rack two months ago and I thought I was impressed with it and that is why it is in my list of the top 5 best truck ladder racks. Even though during the installation I had some twist due to the fact that I was unable to line up the exact number of holes to use the hardware that came with it, I managed to install at the end of the day.
I had to use the clamp method because I didn’t want to drill holes. After mounting one clamp with one support, the actual bed rail looked flimsy. I went ahead and added the second clamp and I saw great improvement on the overall look. I mounted the entire ladder rack and at the end, it looked as if it was one thing with my truck bed.
It was solid as a rock. So if you go for it, wait until the entire thing is installed and it doesn’t matter whether you use the hardware that comes with it or clamps, it will look great at the end of it; just the way mine did.
Pros
- It is very sturdy
- Security for tying the loads or tools is offered by the ropes on the side
- It is hard for it to easily dent or bend due to the T sleeve bar at the top
- It is compatible with various truck bed
- Its loading capacity is 800lbs
Cons
- Clamps protrude into the bed area
- Too expensive
3. Thule Truck Rack Xsporter Pro Aluminum
If you install this truck ladder rack on your truck the way my cousin John did, it might enable you to carry large loads that you currently have in your garage such as canoes, kayak, surfboards, building supplies, SUPs ladders.
When you are installing, you don’t require any drilling or cutting into the mount. It has an easy height adjustment meaning, it can fit on various trucks. It offers a noiseless ride and superior aerodynamics and comes with well-designed locking system which makes it possible for your cargo to be attached to your truck in the most secure way as you transport them. It can hold up to a maximum of weight capacity of 450 pounds .
Pros
- The bar height is adjustable
- It can carry up to weight capacity of 450 pounds
- You don’t require drilling during installation
- It has an aerodynamic design
- It comes with a secure lock to keep your cargo safe while on transit
Cons
- Comes with some parts missing
- Doesn’t fit on some truck beds
4. APEX ATR Truck Rack Ladder
It can haul pipe, lumber, ladders and other utility loads in an easy and faster way on your truck. It features two crossbars and four upright post supports with a built-in ladder stops, which are capable of holding a weight capacity of 800lbs as long as the load is evenly distributed across the bar.
When installing, you don’t have to drill as you will use a patented clamping system to secure the rack on your truck bed rails. It is compatible with most truck beds. The construction is sturdy as it is made from a durable reinforced aluminum material that is heavy duty to give you a longer duration of service.
Pros
- Made from sturdy materials
- Gives a longer duration of service
- Has a weight capacity of 800lbs
- No drilling required during installation
- Good value for money
Cons
- Minor modification needed
- Shipping is a problem
5. Zeny Set of 2 Bars Truck Ladder Rack for Truck 650lbs
My friend Anthony has a construction company and I just learned that he installed this particular ladder rack on most of his construction trucks. According to him, it is heavy duty, lightweight, economical and it is capable of carrying up to a maximum of 650lbs.
It is able to ensure that his construction material supply is carried with ease. The finish is also what attracted him to the ladder; it has a black powder coated finish which blends well with his truck beds. During assembly and installation, he told me that, it took him less than 30 minutes and he was done with the entire work and the ladder was ready for use.
Pros
- It is economical
- It is lightweight
- It has a capacity of 650lbs
- It is sturdy
- Installs in minutes
Cons
- Some washers, nuts, and bolts missing and you have to purchase them separately
- Not good for step side truck bed
You may like this: 10 Best Truck Bed Bike Racks Money Would Buy in 2018
It is not very easy to choose truck ladder racks, especially if you don’t have enough information about them. I am going to try to explain in this section so that you understand what they are and if you really require one for your truck or not. The most important features of a truck ladder rack are necessary to know before you embark on your journey to purchasing one for yourself.
The Benefits of a Truck Ladder Rack
When you have a truck ladder rack for your truck, it will enable you to carry more lengthy and heavy loads. It is important to choose one for yourself in terms of carrying capacity, reliability, and design. You need to ensure that your choice of the truck goes hand in hand with your type of pickup and the work you want to use it for. You will also need to consider your requirements and needs. The needs if you are a constructor is different from if you want the ladder to occasional use.
Factors To Consider Before Buying Truck Ladder Rack
1. Compatibility
There are truck ladder racks which are best suited for short bed, and mini pickups while others are fitted for full-size pickup trucks with long bed rails. You need to make sure that the truck ladder rack you choose should be compatible and versatile.
You need to mind the dimension, especially the product height and length, and this is where the product adjustability comes into place. If you are not sure whether the specific product will fit or not, I suggest you go for the one which is going to offer you more maneuverability when it comes to adjustment. You need to ensure that compatibility is top of mind.
2. Carrying Capacity
In case you are looking for a ladder rack due to professional purposes, you will need to go for the one with the highest carrying capacity. But if the truck ladder rack you want will be for personal use which will not exceed 250 pounds, then there is no need to get one that is more than that.
3. Installation
Some of the ladder racks require drilling. If that is the case, it means that, once you install them, there will be no need or reinstall them. You might find others which feature clamp system which will allow you to mount and unmount the ladder racks with ease.
Bolted ladder racks are a bit more stable, but offer little to no second use. When doing the installation, you will need to have a drill and know how to use it properly. If you don’t want to spend more time drilling, then get a ladder that is easy to install.
4. Lightweight
It is important to consider the lightweight of the product and the good thing is that most of the lightweight products are made of aluminum and tubular. This means that they will produce less noise when you are driving at high speed.
5. Price
Price is another factor to be considered when deciding on which truck ladder rack to settle for. You need to be aware of the fact that, some products sometimes ship incomplete hardware kit unintentionally or intentionally.
If that happens, it will mean that you will need to spend extra money on the hardware equipment. It might look small things, but at the end of the day, they make the final cost of the product to be more expensive than you had budgeted for.
6. Poor Instructions
If in the reviews you come across a product that comes with poor instructions or the instructions are not easy to understand, you are better off not buying it. If you go ahead and buy, you might find it hard to assemble it together and install.
Tips for Ladder Rack for your Truck Tips
- You need to know that, not all ladder racks are designed to fit all trucks. You will need to pay attention to the features of the one you are shopping for.
- One that qualifies to be the best needs to be versatile enough to allow you to move various types of materials, whether it is bulky pieces, long pieces, or items that are heavy.
- You need to pay attention to safety. If you buy a ladder for your truck that is poorly designed, it can become dangerous while in use. It can in the process endanger the public or yourself if the items fall after becoming loose while in transit.
- Attachment style is very important to ensure that they don’t come falling. A quality ladder will securely attach to your truck and feature a sturdy and simple locking mechanism.
- Materials that the ladder rack is made from is very important. Aluminum could be the best as it is lightweight and strong as compared to steel. It is also rustproof while steel can be subject to rust over time.
- When you are buying a new ladder for your truck, ensure that you go for the best one that is within your budget. Most of the time, a higher price means quality materials used and good workmanship. If you get one that is durable, it is likely going to give you service for a longer period, as compared to a cheaper model.
- Ensure that the installation is done properly so that the ladder will be able to do its job.
Conclusion
I am confident that, this article has been able to enlighten you on what to look for in a quality truck ladder from the usability to compatibility. You will need to always consider the various factors before you purchase the truck ladder so that your choice is narrowed from the many in the market. Once your requirements and needs are set, it will become easier for you to make the right choice.
I hope the article has helped you to learn more about the truck ladders, their uses, and purpose. It is a normal thing to see trucks with ladders to the extent that, you might forget that, they don’t come with them but are installed as a separate accessory. Truck ladder racks are an important part of every truck.
