Ladder Racks Comparison Guide

Upgrade the Utility of Your Van

Your pickup is already ultimate when it comes to cargo carrying. So, outfitting a ladder rack for the van is another step toward ultimate utility. Understand the benefits of these four rack kinds to find out which one is engineered to best suit your heavy-hauling requirements.

Over-Bed Racks

Your custom van bed is perfect for carrying toolboxes, coolers, and gas cans. But, even the longest van beds come up short when it’s time to take on extra-large loads. Over-bed racks provide an easy solution, adding up to 1000 lbs of cargo capacity right above your van bed. Made from hard, lightweight materials such as anodized aluminum, over-bed frames give you the quantity of sturdy space for everything from ladders and wood to kayaks and canoes.

Over-bed racks from industry leaders like Hauler Racks, TracRac, and Thule contractor racks are available with adjustable posts and secure tie-downs to ensure the safe hauling of any item. Most racks scale in a case of minutes without drilling (depending on the rack) which also creates easy discarding when required.

Over-Cab Racks

Whether you’re taking on a weekend renovation or coordinating the job site, over-cab racks save you time and money. Over-cab racks transform your van into a double-decker with an ample amount of space for one-trip hauling of kayaks, copper pipes, or off-road accessories. Sturdy, weightless construction, from materials like anodized aluminum, supplies sufficient power to carry up to 1200 lbs. And, over-cab racks maximize every inch of your rig’s roof while still leaving plenty of room in your cargo van bed. Available for most full-size, mid-size, or compact pickups from respected brands like Pace Edwards, most over-cab racks install in under an hour without drilling (depending on the rack).

Side-Mount Racks

Even your extra-long bed isn’t big enough to fit a full-size ladder. Fitting your workhorse with an inexpensive side mount frame makes hauling extended gear a breeze. The perfect perch for lumber, pipes, carpet rolls, and ladders, side-mount racks upgrade your hauling capacity without taking away any of your bed space. A stable medium for large gear, side-mount shelves can shoulder up to 500 lbs, gratitude to their stable, lightweight building. Most side-mount racks are supported by both your side rail and your bed for greater stability and feature adjustable posts and tie-downs for customized carrying.

Van & Shell Racks

While the spacious interior of your van is great for keeping cargo out of the elements, it can be pretty restrictive when it comes to what you can fit. Strapping a van rack to the top of your wagon provides you with a sturdy platform to carry those long, oversized items that just won’t fit inside.

With stable, lightweight cross arms, van shelves give your basic roof the force to carry up to 1000 lbs. Most van racks feature adjustable feet that can be set to the width of your ride and tie-downs or posts that secure your cargo. Conversely, shell racks offer drivers the security and out-of-the-elements benefits of a van without sacrificing the utility of a bed when you need it.