If you’re looking to maximize organization, storage, and safety when transporting heavy or large items like lumber, ladders, and pipes, then what you need is a truck ladder rack.
Truck ladder racks provide you with efficient ways to increase the hauling capacity of your truck without sacrificing any space in the truck bed.
With that being said, choosing the right ladder rack is important, because the right one can help increase both convenience and functionality, while the wrong one will come with nothing but problems.
That’s exactly what we’re here for today, to provide you with a list of the best truck ladder racks on the market, with two of them coming from a highly trusted brand name, VEVOR. Let’s get to it and help you find the best truck ladder rack that the market has.
Table of contents
What Are Ladder Racks for Trucks?
For those of you who don’t know, ladder racks for trucks are specialized types of frames that are mounted onto the roof or bed of a truck. This provides a stable and secure structure to transport bulky and long items like ladders, lumber, piping, and more.
For this reason, many people use truck ladder racks in construction, plumbing, landscaping, and other trades, because they are ideal for organizing a wide variety of long and bulky items, while also freeing up space inside the vehicle. Generally, truck ladder racks are made out of aluminum or steel, as both materials are durable and resistant to the elements.
Ladder racks are generally built to handle very heavy loads while also remaining very stable during transit. Many ladder racks are also modular or adjustable in nature, which means that they can be customized to fit a variety of cargo types.
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How to Choose a Truck Ladder Rack
If you’re wondering how to choose a truck ladder rack, it’s really not difficult. As long as you pay attention to the various features that we’re about to talk about below, you should have no problems choosing the right truck ladder rack for you.
Purpose
The first thing you should consider when choosing a truck ladder rack is what your intended use is. If you are planning on hauling a lot of very heavy materials, go for something that can hold a heavier amount of weight.
The Material
One of the most important considerations to keep in mind when choosing a truck ladder rack is the material that it is made out of. Most are made out of either steel or aluminum, as well as stainless steel, or even a combination of them.
Steel racks are extremely strong and durable, more than ideal for heavy-duty use, whereas aluminum racks are corrosion-resistant and lightweight, which makes them ideal for areas that see a lot of outside exposure to the elements.
Type of Installation
What you also need to consider when choosing a truck ladder rack is whether you want a removable or a permanent one. Permanent racks are bolted right into your truck, therefore offering maximum stability, whereas removable racks can be detached when they’re not in use, although they’re not quite as durable.
Adjustability
Yet another factor to pay attention to when choosing a truck ladder rack is one that is adjustable. Finding one with modular features such as adjustable crossbars is important because it allows you to customize the truck ladder rack based on the code that you are hauling.
On that note, pay attention to how easy the installation is, as some might require professional installation whereas others might allow you to install them using nothing but a few tools around your home.
The Best Truck Ladder Racks
Let’s now take a look at the five best truck ladder racks that the market has to offer.
VEVOR 17-29 Inch Truck Rack
The VEVOR Truck Rack is a great option for anybody who needs a high capacity truck rack that is able to handle larger loads. It’s built with extremely lightweight aluminum, which although lightweight, is still very durable, as it features an 800 LB weight capacity, making it ideal for even the heaviest of cargo.
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The rack is adjustable in height from 17 to 29 inches, and its width can go up to 71 inches, which means that it is suitable for the vast majority of truck models. It features a black powder-coated finish to make it rust-resistant, making it last just that much longer.
It also has end caps to prevent moisture and debris from entering the tubes. Thanks to the non-drilling sea clamp system, you don’t need to do any drilling to install them. There are also four tie-down points included to add additional security.
Pros
- High 800-pound weight capacity for larger loads
- Corrosion-resistant aluminum build with black powder coating
- Adjustable height and width fit most truck beds
- Easy installation with non-drilling C-clamps
- Four tie-down points for added cargo stability
Cons
- May not be compatible with trucks with toolboxes or tonneau covers
- Aluminum may feel less sturdy compared to heavy-duty steel
VEVOR Extendable Truck Ladder Rack
The VEVOR Extendable Truck Ladder Rack is designed for both flexibility and durability. Generally speaking, it’s made to transport medium-sized cargo. It’s made out of heavy-duty and super robust alloy steel which can support up to 250 LBS. This makes it ideal for small ladders, surfboards, kayaks, and other similar items.
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It features an adjustable height between 38.6 to 43.6 inches, and its width is adjustable from 19 to 34 inches. This means that it can fit a wide variety of truck models, with Chevrolet and Ford being at the forefront.
The rack also features a black powder-coated finish to prevent rusting, combined with end caps to protect the interior from debris and water. Thanks to the bolt mounting system that securely attaches the rack without drilling, installation is also very straightforward.
Pros
- Durable steel construction with a 250-pound weight capacity
- Adjustable height and width accommodate different truck models
- Rust-resistant black powder coating with protective end caps
- Easy bolt-mounted installation without drilling
- Adjustable load brackets for custom cargo fit
Cons
- Lower weight capacity may not suit heavy-duty applications
- Bolt installation requires tools and may take longer than C-clamps
Buyers Products Black Steel Truck Ladder Rack
The Buyers Products Black Steel Truck Ladder Rack is designed for serious heavy-duty applications, which makes it ideal for professionals and anybody who hauls substantial loads on a frequent basis.
It features a steel construction combined with a 1000-lb weight capacity, which means that it can easily carry very large ladders, pipes, lumber, and various other pieces of oversized equipment.
The Buyers Products Black Steel Truck Ladder Rack comes complete with adjustable tie-down points to help keep your cargo secure during transport. It also features a removable rear bar to allow for the easy loading of large items, which also helps provide access to the truck bed whenever you need it.
It also comes complete with a powder coat finish that is resistant to corrosion and rusting, making it ideal for harsh weather conditions. Although it does require a bit of drilling for a secure fit, installation is easy, but that said, this unit is quite expensive.
Pros
- High 1,000-pound weight capacity for heavy-duty use
- Rust-resistant black powder-coated finish for durability
- The removable rear bar allows flexibility for larger items
- Built-in tie-down points for secure cargo transport
- Suitable for professionals and heavy-duty applications
Cons
- Requires drilling for secure installation, which may not appeal to all users
- The bulkier design may not be ideal for those with light or infrequent cargo needs
- Very expensive
Weather Guard Steel Truck Rack
The Weather Guard Steel Truck Rack is a heavy-duty truck ladder rack designed for serious usage. It provides you with security and durability. It comes complete with a steel frame that can carry up to 1000 lbs, which means that it can carry a variety of construction materials and even the largest of ladders.
The Weather Guard Steel Truck Rack features an extremely special powder coat finish that is very resistant to rusting as well as regular wear and tear. What is really unique about this unit is that it comes with a special locking system to add a layer of security, to prevent the theft of your cargo.
It also comes with tie-down buckles to allow for a secure fit no matter the strap style. Thanks to a no-drill design that clamps directly onto the rails of the truck bed, installation is straightforward and non-intrusive.
Pros
- High 1,000-pound weight capacity for robust applications
- ARMOR TUF® powder coating for excellent rust and wear resistance
- 1KEY ULTRALOCK system for added security
- Enhanced tie-down buckles for secure strapping options
- No-drill installation for easy setup and removal
Cons
- Higher price point compared to other racks
- A bulkier design may not be suitable for smaller trucks
Erickson Over-The-Cab Truck Rack
The Erickson Over-The-Cab Truck Rack is another model worth considering, particularly because it is an over-the-cab model, which means that it helps maximize the space in your cab and bed.
It features a weight capacity of 1000 lbs as it is made out of solid steel, which means that it is more than suitable for transporting extremely heavy items, whether kayaks, lumber, ladders, or anything in between.
Thanks to its design, it allows for additional storage space above the truck cab. Furthermore, it features an adjustable load support bracket to ensure that all of your cargo remains stable and secure during transit.
It also features chromate-plated bolts and nuts for even better corrosion resistance. It then comes complete with a powder coating for added durability. All that being said, you will have to do some drilling to install it.
Pros
- 1,000-pound capacity ideal for carrying heavy and oversized loads
- Over-the-cab design maximizes truck storage space
- Adjustable load support brackets for enhanced cargo stability
- Corrosion-resistant hardware with chromate plating
- Powder-coated finish for long-term durability
Cons
- Drilling may be required for installation
- The over-the-cab design may affect truck aerodynamics
FAQs
Before we call it today, let’s quickly answer some of your frequently asked questions about truck ladder racks.
How much weight can an average truck ladder rack hold?
Your average truck ladder rack can hold anywhere between 500 and 1200 lbs, although this depends on the model.
Can I install a truck ladder rack myself?
If you get a DIY-friendly model that comes with the hardware and instructions included, then you can most certainly install the track ladder rack yourself. With that being said, those designed for heavy-duty use or those that have custom configurations may require professional installation.
Are truck ladder racks universal in nature?
No, ladder racks for trucks are not universal in nature. This means that you need to find the one that is best suited for your vehicle. Some truck ladder racks are designed specifically for certain truck bed sizes and models, so always check in terms of compatibility.
How weather-resistant are truck ladder racks?
Regular steel truck ladder racks are somewhat weather-resistant, but if you want to go for something with maximum weather resistance, aluminum is best.
Choosing the Best Truck Ladder Rack: Final Thoughts
The bottom line is that if you need a good truck ladder rack, then any of the options we’ve discussed today are ideal to consider, as each one has its own specific benefits. With that being said, you always want to pay attention to the brand name that you purchase your products from, and in this case, VEVOR is one of the best by far!
