Whether you are a professional contractor, an outdoor enthusiast, a dedicated DIYer, or just someone who often transports bulky or heavy items, then a ladder rack could make for an extremely valuable addition to your current vehicle.
Ladder racks provide you with a convenient and secure way to transport ladders and many other oversized materials, whether it be sports gear, pipes, lumber, or otherwise. The best ladder racks, such as those from VEVOR, can easily handle all of this equipment and more.
Ladder racks are great for maximizing the storage space of your vehicle while also improving organization, with greater safety being yet another benefit. Today, we’re going to cover everything that you need to know about ladder racks in order to make an informed decision.
We’re going to talk about what they are, what they can be used for, and what the different types are as well. By the end of today’s guide, you should know everything there is to know about ladder racks.
Table of contents
What Are Ladder Racks?
Ladder racks are specially designed frames built out of sturdy materials such as aluminum, steel, or stainless steel, which are mounted to the top of vehicles, such as to the top of vans or on the bed of a truck.
They are designed to securely hold onto ladders and other long items during vehicle transit. Ladder racks are often mounted on vans, trucks, and other large vehicles, although there are also ones that can be mounted on smaller cars and SUVs.
They are built with sturdy materials so they can withstand heavy loads, and they also come with special tie-down points and adjustable heights to accommodate different items and load types.
Ladder racks are extremely beneficial not only because they help you keep things organized on top of your vehicle, but also because they free up space within a vehicle.
What Are Ladder Racks Used For?
Of course, as the name implies, the main purpose of a ladder rack is to provide you with a convenient and safe way to transport ladders on top of your vehicle.
This is especially useful for a variety of professionals who need easy and fast access to their equipment, as well as a safe way to transport it. With that being said, ladder racks can be used for a whole lot more than just carrying ladders.
In terms of what a ladder rack can carry, there are many different options. For instance, if you are a contractor or woodworker, you could modify your ladder racks to hold various types of lumber and other related equipment.
On the other hand, if you happen to be a plumber, ladder racks also come in very handy for carrying piping and other related pieces of equipment. The bottom line is that as a professional if you have something long and bulky that needs transporting, a ladder rack is certainly the way to go.
This is even the case if you aren’t a contractor, and rather just someone who likes doing things yourself. If you often find yourself transporting large and bulky items, a ladder rack can make things much easier. This is also the case if you are an outdoor enthusiast who often needs to transport items such as kayaks, canoes, skis, and other related outdoor equipment.
What also needs to be said is that ladder racks have many different benefits aside from simply carrying items on top of your vehicle. For instance, by putting items on top of your vehicle, ladder racks help maximize the interior space of your vehicle, while also protecting the interior of your vehicle from damage that could potentially be caused by those heavy items.
Moreover, if you have loose items inside your vehicle, these can pose safety hazards, especially if you have to stop quickly. Ladder racks help keep those items secure so they can’t move around. Furthermore, a ladder rack also helps you maintain an extremely professional appearance, something that’s important if you are a tradesperson.
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Types of Ladder Racks to Consider
One of the main things to consider when purchasing a ladder rack for your vehicle is the type of ladder rack that you want to go for. Let’s take a look at the different types of ladder racks that you need to consider.
Over-Cab
Over-cab ladder racks are ideal because they extend over the cab of your vehicle, therefore providing you with a greater storage area on top of the van or truck. These are ideal for maximum storage space, making them ideal for people who carry multiple bulky materials or ladders.
Side-Mounted
We then have side-mounted ladder racks, which as the name implies, are designed to attach to the side of a vehicle. These are ideal because they allow for easy access to ladders and other materials without having to climb on top of the roof of the vehicle. If you frequently load and unload materials like ladders, then these are for you.
Adjustable
We then have adjustable ladder racks, which are convenient because they allow you to adjust both the width and the height, therefore being compatible with many different items. This type of flexibility is ideal for those who need to transport various items of different weights and sizes.
Drop-Down
Next, we have drop-down ladder racks, which are best for those who prioritize accessibility. These racks lower down to your level, therefore making the ladders and other items more accessible. Although they aren’t the heaviest duty or most secure of ladder racks, they certainly are convenient.
Utility
There are then also utility racks, which are designed to be extremely versatile. These come with many different features, specifically clamps and tie-down points, and are therefore able to hold onto many different types of items in a secure manner. If you have mixed cargo needs, then these types of ladder racks are for you.
Vehicle-Specific
Finally, we then have vehicle-specific ladder racks, which as the name implies, are designed for specific types of vehicles. As you’ll see further below, we’re going to take a look at a van-specific ladder rack, and a truck-specific ladder rack, both of which come loaded to the brim with beneficial features.
How to Choose a Ladder Rack
If you’re going to purchase a ladder rack, then there are quite a few different considerations that you need to keep in mind, including all of the following.
The Vehicle
First and foremost, you need to make sure that the ladder rack in question is compatible with the vehicle you have, whether a van, truck, or anything in between. Take some measurements to make sure that the item in question is compatible.
Materials
Before making the purchase, you always want to make sure that the ladder rack in question is built out of durable materials. Both steel and aluminum are great choices. Keep in mind that aluminum is lightweight and rust-resistant, but not the best for extremely heavy loads. On the other hand, steel racks can handle more weight and are more durable, but are also much heavier.
Capacity
One of the most important things that you need to keep in mind when choosing a ladder rack for your vehicle is the capacity in terms of weight. The vast majority of ladder rats can handle anywhere between 300 lbs and 800 lbs, with some being able to handle even more. Make sure that you choose one that has a higher load capacity than you generally expect to require.
Adjustability
The ladder rack that you purchased needs to be adjustable. The majority of them do allow for width and height adjustments, so you can accommodate different types of items.
Installation
Another important factor to keep in mind when choosing a ladder rack for your vehicle is how easy it is to install. The simple fact is that there are models that require permanent modifications to your vehicle, such as drilling into it, while there are others that offer installation options that don’t require drilling. If you don’t want to damage your vehicle or drill into it, ones with bolt-on attachments or C-clamps are best.
Additional Features
A lot of ladder racks may also come with additional features, such as anti-slip surfaces, security locks, and additional tie-down points for added security. These can all make a substantial difference in terms of the safety and usability of the ladder rack.
The Best Ladder Racks from VEVOR
VEVOR has two great ladder racks that we want to look at, one for a van and one for a truck. Let’s take a look at what makes them stand out from the competition.
VEVOR Van Rack
First, we have this van rack, which is built with heavy-duty extruded steel, meaning that it has a capacity of well over 330 lbs. And also features a powder-coated finish to provide extra rust resistance. In terms of installation, it comes with all the hardware you need for installation, and this should be doable by yourself.
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What’s also nice about this van roof ladder rack is that it can fit the vast majority of full-size and mid-sized bands with a rain gutter. This is a very versatile roof rack because it can hold a variety of oversized and long items, as it is adjustable in terms of length between 46.5 and 68.1 inches, and its 11-inch-wide mounting base means that it should be compatible with the vast majority of bands, whether from Ford, Dodge, Chevy, or GMC.
VEVOR Truck Ladder Rack
Also from VEVOR, here we have a very high-quality ladder rack designed to be put in pickup truck beds. What stands out is that this item is made with durable yet lightweight aluminum, along with heavy-duty steel brackets for additional stability. Thanks to its added powder coating, it is also rust-proof, and it features capped ends to keep out debris.
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This allows this pickup truck rack to hold up to 800 lbs, and it features an adjustable height of between 17 and 29 inches, making it ideal for holding onto a variety of items.
We then have the non-drilling C-clamps that are included for mounting, which allow you to easily attach the rack to your pickup truck bed without having to drill into it. Moreover, it should be compatible with the most popular trucks such as the Dodge Ram, the Chevy Silverado, and Ford F-series trucks.
FAQs
Before we wrap things up, let’s quickly answer some of your most frequently asked questions about ladder racks for trucks and vans.
Do I need a professional to help me install a ladder rack?
In general, if you have the right tools, you should be able to mount them yourself. This is especially the case for ladder racks that come with simple mounting systems such as the C-clamps. However, if drilling is required, and you are not familiar with tools, you may want professional assistance.
Are ladder racks designed to carry only ladders?
Although ladder racks are designed primarily to carry ladders, they can also carry many other items, such as lumber, piping, skis, canoes, sports equipment, and more.
How weather-resistant are ladder racks?
Ladder racks are generally quite weather resistant, as they’re designed to be outdoors. Those made with aluminum are naturally rust-resistant, and those made with steel are powder-coated to improve rust resistance.
Are ladder racks universal?
Although ladder racks, such as those from VEVOR can fit many different vehicles, they are not 100% universal, so make sure to check specifications before making a purchase.
Final Thoughts on Finding the Best Ladder Racks
Now that you know everything there is to know about ladder racks, you should be able to make a choice based on all of this knowledge. Remember to look out for factors such as durability, adjustability, and compatibility.
Keep in mind that ladder racks can carry a wide variety of long and bulky items, making them ideal for many different professionals and sports enthusiasts alike. Moreover, if you’re looking for a good ladder rack, remember that the products from VEVOR just can’t be beaten in terms of toughness, versatility, and price.