When it comes to maximizing the amount of goods you can haul on your van, a ladder rack is essential. A van ladder rack is essential for maximizing the safety, storage, and efficiency of your van.
Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast who needs to carry a whole lot of surfboards and kayaks or a contractor who needs to transport tools and ladders. A van ladder rack can provide you with the much-needed extra space and organization you require.
With so many materials, styles, and mounting options, you might have some difficulty choosing the right van ladder rack for your needs.
However, this is exactly what we are here for, to help you choose the best van ladder rack. So, we’re going to talk about all of the major features that you need to keep an eye out for, as well as some of the best models that the market has to offer, which of course, come from VEVOR.
Table of contents
What Are Ladder Racks for Vans?
Ladder racks for vans are simply metal external structures that are attached to the roof of a van with the aim of transporting bulky or long items in a safe and organized manner.
What is so beneficial about ladder racks for vans is that they allow van owners to maximize the amount of space on the inside of the vehicle by freeing up the space.
Ladder racks allowed you to put a variety of goods on top of the van, therefore increasing the amount of goods you could haul. Furthermore, most racks for vans are made out of heavy-duty materials such as steel or aluminum, as they need to be able to withstand outdoor elements.
Furthermore, most modern models are adjustable so that they fit different van models and makes, and are designed to hold various goods such as lumber, pipes, ladders, and a variety of recreational gear.
What Are Ladder Racks for Vans Used For?
The great thing about van ladder racks is that they can be used for many different purposes. First and foremost, this is something that you would use to transport items that you would usually not be able to fit inside of your van, especially very long items.
As the name implies, ladder racks for vans are primarily designed to carry ladders, but they can also carry other long tools and pieces of equipment, and even piping for plumbing purposes.
Furthermore, ladder racks can also be used for outdoor and recreational purposes, such as for carrying surfboards, canoes, and kayaks.
Even better is the fact that many ladder racks can also be customized with various attachments so you can carry items such as fishing rods and tackle boxes. The bottom line is that these are essential pieces of equipment to free up space inside your van.
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How to Choose a Van Ladder Rack
As you’re about to see below, there are a few different factors that you need to pay attention to when choosing a ladder rack for your van. Let’s take a closer look at the main considerations you need to make before making a purchase.
Type
The first thing that you need to consider when choosing a ladder rack for a van is the style. There are three main types, including single-bar, multi-bar, and full-length racks. Single bar racks are the smallest and most lightweight and are suitable for occasional use.
We then have both multi-bar and full-length racks, which are larger and stronger, and therefore able to handle larger and heavier items. You therefore need to consider what types of items you plan on hauling on a regular basis before making your purchase.
Material
The next thing that you need to consider when choosing a van ladder rack for your purposes is what material it is made out of. Generally speaking, the strongest of ladder racks will be made out of steel.
There’s just nothing like solid steel when it comes to physical durability, although this also makes your van much heavier, and regular steel isn’t all that weather-resistant.
On the other hand, aluminum racks are much lighter and will affect the aerodynamics of your vehicle less, plus they are corrosion resistant too. With that being said, aluminum racks aren’t the most durable in the world, and generally don’t have the highest weight capacity.
Capacity
The next thing that you then need to consider before making a purchase is the capacity. Generally speaking, ban ladder racks can carry anywhere between 200 and 1,000 lbs, give or take.
Therefore, you first need to consider the total weight of the cargo that you plan on hauling, and then add a little bit more to that.
For the most part, you want to get a ladder rack where the weight capacity exceeds what you plan on having to haul. You might also look for additional weight distribution features, such as identical points and load stops.
Size
You then also need to consider the size of the ladder rack in question. This is the case for two reasons, one of them being to make sure that it is compatible with the van you get.
Of course, you need to get a ladder rack that is compatible with the make and model of your vehicle, so make some measurements to find out. However, you also need to consider the size in terms of the length of the items you plan on hauling.
Mounting
The final consideration to make when choosing a ladder rack for your van is how it mounts to the van. There are permanent installations, clamp-on models, and drill-free models.
Drill-free and clamp-on models generally use clamps to attach to the existing roof rails on your van, which makes them easy to install and quite flexible, although not as durable as permanent installations.
Permanent installations do require you to drill into the roof of your van, but they’re also much more stable and able to hold onto larger loads.
Introducing VEVOR Ladder Racks
Right now, we want to take a look at two of the best van ladder racks that your money can buy, both from VEVOR.
VEVOR Van Roof Ladder Rack
The VEVOR Van Roof Ladder Rack is made out of highly durable alloy steel, with each rack being able to hold up to 250 lbs, but if you install two of them, they’ll be able to hold 500 lbs. It provides more than enough support to hold ladders and various other pieces of equipment, while also being resistant to deformation.
What’s convenient about this model is that the width is adjustable from 47.2 to 78.7 inches, with the height being adjustable between 6.3 and 7.7 inches. This means that this model is suitable for full-size bands that have rain gutters. What’s also useful is that you just need a few basic tools to install these racks, as they click right on to your existing rain gutters.
Even better is that this roof ladder rack is galvanized, which means that it is even more durable than regular alloy steel alone, not to mention extremely resistant to rusting and corrosion. It also comes with side rope hooks to make sure that the racks stay in place while in transit.
VEVOR 750 LBS Van Roof Ladder Rack
The VEVOR 750 LBS Van Roof Ladder Rack is another great option to consider, as this model can hold up to 750 lbs. It’s made out of solid materials, mainly alloy steel, to ensure a highway capacity of 750 lbs. Furthermore, the material has been specially treated with a highly specialized coating to ensure that it is both rust and corrosion-resistant, ensuring that it is resistant to the elements.
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What you might also appreciate is that this model is highly compatible with many different van models, as it features an extendable length of between 40.2 to 74.8 inches, which means that it can fit most vans with rain gutters.
You don’t even have to do any drilling, because it comes with a simple triple bolt locking structure that allows you to attach the rack directly to the existing rain gutters on your van.
The PVC padding that these racks come with helps to add an extra layer of protection for your van and the goods that you are hauling. The side rope hooks allow you to securely strap your belongings down so they stay in place while you are driving.
FAQs
Let’s quickly answer some of your most frequently asked questions about ladder racks for vans.
What can I carry with a ladder rack for a van?
A ladder rack for a man can be used to haul a wide variety of items such as ladders, lumber, long tools, surfboards, kayaks, canoes, and more.
Can I install a van ladder rack myself?
If you get a DIY model that does not require any kind of drilling, then you can easily install the van rack yourself. However, if you get one that needs to be bolted onto the roof of your van, you may require professional assistance.
Are van ladder racks compatible with all van models?
Although the vast majority of van ladder racks are extremely versatile in nature and adjustable, they are not universal. This means that you do want to pay attention to the specifications to make sure that it will get your van.
How much weight can your average van ladder rack hold?
Generally speaking, you can expect these units to hold up to 1000 lbs.
Choosing the Best Truck Ladder Rack: Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, choosing a ladder rack for your band is as simple as paying attention to the size, materials, and compatibility. As long as you pay attention to the most important factors, you should be able to choose a van with a ladder rack that suits your needs perfectly. Just remember, if you’re looking for the best models on the market, there’s just no beating VEVOR.
