Truck Ladder Racks - Consider Uses and Weight

You don't have to be a contractor or construction worker to know that adding ladder racks or just a rack in general, can vastly expand the capabilities of your vehicle and the different types of jobs that you can tackle. There's never been a better time to research different types of add-on truck racks, including ladder racks, heavy-duty utility types, removable steel and aluminum cargo racks, even ones designed for the top of your panel van. So whether you're toting a load of rebar to a construction site, or new double-pane windows to an existing home whose owner is trying to go green, you can be assured there is a specialty addition to your vehicle designed specifically for your needs.

When you consider an addition to your truck or van, there are a number of different factors that you need to think about. One of the most important features to consider is whether or not you want it to be a permanent addition to your vehicle. Adding a permanent addition has the advantage of giving you a very tough and robust carrying surface, but it does limit you to carrying loads in your truck bed of a certain size and shape. Removable racks allow you to carry whatever is necessary in the bed of your vehicle, including putting a camper shell on the back for occasional family vacations, and fishing trips. Some find it easier when having a portable office space on a remote construction site that might lack bathrooms, electric hookups, cooking facilities, or even basic shelter from high winds, rain, and other types of inclement weather. If you have a permanently installed rack above the bed of your truck, you have locked your truck into one configuration.

Permanent additions are great if you're always hauling bundles of rebar or copper pipe or stacks of sheet rock. However, some like to have some flexibility built into a vehicle. If you run a small construction company, it may be better to install racks that can either be removed completely, or modified for a variety of tasks. If you carry a lot of long loads, such as lengths of pipe or tubing, then you should probably be looking at the kind that extends over the cab of the truck.

Another thing to consider when you're evaluating the different types of ladder racks is what type of material they're made of. Obviously steel ones will provide the greatest strength, but they're also the heaviest kinds and they'll add a lot to the gross vehicle weight, which translates into lower gas mileage. Gas prices have dropped in price, but they could soon rise again. If you want to keep your business profitable in the future, then you have to look at every angle that can help you to keep your costs down.

Researching the balance and strength of the ladder rack you need against the added operational costs will help you in the long run. Also important are the uses, future and present, of your addition. Don't take the easy route and acquire additions to your vehicle without a thought out plan for its intent.