How to Build a Ladder Rack

For many people throughout the world, their business ventures involve the use of a ladder. Perhaps they work construction, or are involved with house painting or roofing. Regardless of the reason, many men and women are required to travel with ladders that are both larger and heavier than those found in the average home. Many of these individuals drive some sort of truck or van, but do not want to transport their ladder in the back as that can take up precious cargo space. For those individuals, a ladder rack is the perfect solution.

A ladder rack is exactly what the name implies. It is a rack built onto the top of a truck, van, or SUV, designed to store a ladder. They can be purchased pre-assembled from a variety of retailers, or you can find instructions for how to build a ladder rack and do it yourself. When building your ladder rack, you will first need to select the proper construction materials. It is important that your rack be sturdy and weather resistant as it will be exposed to many different elements each year. Ladder racks can be made from wood, metal, or plastic. Some racks are removable and some are designed as permanent fixtures. Select your materials based on the price you are looking to spend as well as what design aesthetic you hope to achieve. After deciding on your materials, you need to determine how the rack will be fixed to your vehicle. For trucks, the most common locations are the rail of the truck bed, or the floor of the truck bed. Securing a ladder rack to the rails of your truck bed free up valuable space inside the truck bed, but does require a bit more skill.

Once you know what you are planning to make your ladder rack from and how you are securing it to your truck, you are ready to shop for supplies. Before heading off the hardware store, however, you should take detailed measurements of your vehicle to make sure you purchase the correct amount of supplies. Once you have purchased your wood, plastic, or metal pieces, you are ready to begin construction. You may wish to recruit a friend or two to assist with your project especially for the tasks involving heavy lifting. It is a good idea to sketch your ladder rack before you begin construction so you can work from your drawing and not from memory.