Installed Ladder Rack with minimal modifications

[Hansen Painting]

As the bed rails are higher than older compact pickups, standard racks need to be cut down to prevent ladders from sitting out of reach. Additionally, the short bed does not provide a sufficient span between rack pillars for ladders longer than six feet without ridiculous overhang. Also, racks with cantilevers present the same issues with overall height. This adjustable height rack AA-Racks Model APX2501 75" Full-Size Pickup Truck Ladder Racks Low-Profile Height-Adjustable Utility Aluminum Truck Bed Rack with Load Stops-Silver , coupled with the Ford approved Yakima baseline towers with the jet stream crossbar and the baseclips provides the solution I was looking for. The roof rack works like a cantilever and the adjustable rack happens to adjust within 1/16" of level. The whole assembly should run approximately $800. It sits a little low, but even a fellow that stands 5'7" should be able to dismount ladders without needing a ladder. I also cut down the crossbars for the AA-Rack by approximately 12" so they did not protrude and present a concussion risk.

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[SkeeterB]

Good job, thanks. I did something similar for my kayak. Used the one roof rack and a Harbor Freight hitch extended vertical. Had to cut the hitch extender down to equal height of roof rack.

 

[nathanchrisman]

@Hansen Painting Thank you for posting this. I’ve been searching for something along these lines and this looks like the ticket.

 

[paneubert]

"should be able to dismount ladders without needing a ladder."

I love this part. Haha.

 

[Hansen Painting]

Even a small truck can pack a big vertical reach. That is, with the right rack for support.

 

[RBElectrical]

Can you post a picture without a ladder and a closeup of the Yakima mounts? I am looking for a solution like this but I'm afraid cab will look funny with 1 crossbar?

 

[Peps]

As the bed rails are higher than older compact pickups, standard racks need to be cut down to prevent ladders from sitting out of reach. Additionally, the short bed does not provide a sufficient span between rack pillars for ladders longer than six feet without ridiculous overhang. Also, racks with cantilevers present the same issues with overall height. This adjustable height rack AA-Racks Model APX2501 75" Full-Size Pickup Truck Ladder Racks Low-Profile Height-Adjustable Utility Aluminum Truck Bed Rack with Load Stops-Silver , coupled with the Ford approved Yakima baseline towers with the jet stream crossbar and the baseclips provides the solution I was looking for. The roof rack works like a cantilever and the adjustable rack happens to adjust within 1/16" of level. The whole assembly should run approximately $800. It sits a little low, but even a fellow that stands 5'7" should be able to dismount ladders without needing a ladder. I also cut down the crossbars for the AA-Rack by approximately 12" so they did not protrude and present a concussion risk.

very good job. you clearly are someone that will actually use the racks and understand the problems with such a short bed. I would probably be afraid to carry a 2x10.
Have you though of using two racks on the roof and one rack on the bed. I am thinking of going that way

 

[Resting27]

Hey I think I'm looking to copy your setup exactly. I have a 32' and a 24' ladder that I'm hoping to carry all the time. Have you had any problems? Any tips?

 

[JustinsPressureWashing]

Hey I think I'm looking to copy your setup exactly. I have a 32' and a 24' ladder that I'm hoping to carry all the time. Have you had any problems? Any tips?

That's exactly what I am looking to do as well. I'd like to carry around a tri-extension 35' fiberglass ladder (12' collapsed, but not light) during the winter months installing Christmas lights without having the need to drag my trailer around with me everywhere for it's ladder racks. Have you done anything similar since you posted last year that you'd be willing to share?

 

[JustinsPressureWashing]

very good job. you clearly are someone that will actually use the racks and understand the problems with such a short bed. I would probably be afraid to carry a 2x10.
Have you though of using two racks on the roof and one rack on the bed. I am thinking of going that way

This question might be null at this point in time, but my research found that the Yakima roof rails have to go in precisely 2 positions, roughly 33" apart (I guess you can't just move them around along the roofline all willy-nilly?). I'm thinking that the front one might not end up on the same plane as the bed mounted ladder rack and the rear roof rack due to the front of the truck's roofline sloping down slightly. You can only order a 2-pack of the Yakima rails though, so I'll try to see if using 2 will work or not when I get them. Cheapest price I've found for them is $688 from realtruck.com. Seems crazy expensive for how simple they are, but all of the alternatives are $500+ too.

 

[Realtruck]

This question might be null at this point in time, but my research found that the Yakima roof rails have to go in precisely 2 positions, roughly 33" apart (I guess you can't just move them around along the roofline all willy-nilly?). I'm thinking that the front one might not end up on the same plane as the bed mounted ladder rack and the rear roof rack due to the front of the truck's roofline sloping down slightly. You can only order a 2-pack of the Yakima rails though, so I'll try to see if using 2 will work or not when I get them. Cheapest price I've found for them is $688 from realtruck.com. Seems crazy expensive for how simple they are, but all of the alternatives are $500+ too.

Yakima offers great resources to find out about exactly where the bars sit for optimal installation. For the Maverick, they recommend that from the front corner of the front cross bar to the front corner of the rear cross bar that they should be 32" apart. You can also adjust the pitch of the towers to keep the cross bars level.

 

[Qanzilla]

Hey there, love the setup. How has it held up over the years? I'm looking to get the same setup you have. I'm also a painter and I really need ladder racks!

 

[Qanzilla]

Hey there, love the setup. How has it held up over the years? I'm looking to get the same setup you have. I'm also a painter and I really need ladder racks!

I bought the racks based on your picture and description and they are AMAZING!

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