Ladder Racks - Factors to Consider in the Decision Making Process
Ladder racks are important pieces of equipment for any commercial van or pickup truck.
Not only are racks functional in carrying ladders, but they can be used to hold and transport other tools and goods deemed necessary for the commercial vehicle user in their line of business.
When considering one of the various types of ladder racks for a vehicle, one should consider some of the following aspects of a ladder rack.
The material of the ladder rack is an important consideration when choosing from the available types of racks.
Aluminum is one common type of material used to fabricate ladder racks.
Aluminum is lightweight yet strong enough to hold even the heaviest of loads.
One major advantage of Aluminum as used for ladder racks is that it does not rust.
Another common type of material used is steel.
Steel is heavier that Aluminum and racks made from it can generally hold more weight.
A Steel ladder rack is also less expensive than its Aluminum counterpart, but it has the disadvantage of being susceptible to rust.
Look for racks with a nice powder coated finished to help combat the appearance of rust.
Better yet, look for racks that have a zinc powder coat layer.
Whichever material used, a ladder rack will hold those larger pieces of equipment and goods to keep both the rear of the van and bed of the pickup truck clear for use.
Another aspect of ladder racks important in the decision making process is the necessary number of cross members.
The cross supports can range from two per vehicle or as many as one every 18 inches.
If the purpose of the ladder rack is to carry only long ladders or material that does not have a tendency to sag, then the two and three cross support varieties of ladder racks might be sufficient.
However, if shorter equipment or goods that may sag are to be carried on the rack, then racks often called cargo carriers might be a good fit.
The equipment and material to be loaded on a ladder rack should be evaluated to help in the decision process.
The complexity of installation of a ladder rack on the van or pickup truck should be measured when evaluating which product to purchase.
Some racks require drilling into the roof of the van or bed of a pickup, while other ladder racks require no drilling at all and simply bolt on.
Some have numerous parts to be put together, while other ladder racks are rather simple in their design and have few parts to assemble.
The time it takes to put together and install these ladder racks should be considered when deciding on a rack purchase.
The ease of use should also be a determining factor in the decision making process.
Some ladder racks have swing down mechanisms that allow for easy loading of ladders and equipment.
Some racks for pickup trucks can easily be removed to allow the space to be used for other purposes.
Also, a ladder rack can have various added accessories to assist in the securing of equipment and increase the storage options.
Some examples of these accessories for racks include conduit holders, winches, and ladder securing locks.
The ease of use and the available accessories should be evaluated when looking at ladder racks.
Although the need to store your equipment and goods is often quite apparent, the specifics with regard to the equipment to be carried and the ladder rack design need to be considered when making a purchasing decision.
There are many different makes and styles to choose from.
Make sure you look at your options and choose the one that best fits your needs and good luck in shopping for ladder racks!
Not only are racks functional in carrying ladders, but they can be used to hold and transport other tools and goods deemed necessary for the commercial vehicle user in their line of business.
When considering one of the various types of ladder racks for a vehicle, one should consider some of the following aspects of a ladder rack.
The material of the ladder rack is an important consideration when choosing from the available types of racks.
Aluminum is one common type of material used to fabricate ladder racks.
Aluminum is lightweight yet strong enough to hold even the heaviest of loads.
One major advantage of Aluminum as used for ladder racks is that it does not rust.
Another common type of material used is steel.
Steel is heavier that Aluminum and racks made from it can generally hold more weight.
A Steel ladder rack is also less expensive than its Aluminum counterpart, but it has the disadvantage of being susceptible to rust.
Look for racks with a nice powder coated finished to help combat the appearance of rust.
Better yet, look for racks that have a zinc powder coat layer.
Whichever material used, a ladder rack will hold those larger pieces of equipment and goods to keep both the rear of the van and bed of the pickup truck clear for use.
Another aspect of ladder racks important in the decision making process is the necessary number of cross members.
The cross supports can range from two per vehicle or as many as one every 18 inches.
If the purpose of the ladder rack is to carry only long ladders or material that does not have a tendency to sag, then the two and three cross support varieties of ladder racks might be sufficient.
However, if shorter equipment or goods that may sag are to be carried on the rack, then racks often called cargo carriers might be a good fit.
The equipment and material to be loaded on a ladder rack should be evaluated to help in the decision process.
The complexity of installation of a ladder rack on the van or pickup truck should be measured when evaluating which product to purchase.
Some racks require drilling into the roof of the van or bed of a pickup, while other ladder racks require no drilling at all and simply bolt on.
Some have numerous parts to be put together, while other ladder racks are rather simple in their design and have few parts to assemble.
The time it takes to put together and install these ladder racks should be considered when deciding on a rack purchase.
The ease of use should also be a determining factor in the decision making process.
Some ladder racks have swing down mechanisms that allow for easy loading of ladders and equipment.
Some racks for pickup trucks can easily be removed to allow the space to be used for other purposes.
Also, a ladder rack can have various added accessories to assist in the securing of equipment and increase the storage options.
Some examples of these accessories for racks include conduit holders, winches, and ladder securing locks.
The ease of use and the available accessories should be evaluated when looking at ladder racks.
Although the need to store your equipment and goods is often quite apparent, the specifics with regard to the equipment to be carried and the ladder rack design need to be considered when making a purchasing decision.
There are many different makes and styles to choose from.
Make sure you look at your options and choose the one that best fits your needs and good luck in shopping for ladder racks!