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So I’ve been researching ladder racks for a few weeks now. I’m not willing to spend over $1k on a moveable rack that mounts to tslot rails on the top of the truck bed rails. I primarily work with a stack ladder which is several 6ft pieces that stack together but a few pieces are 4-5ft so I need something that’s moveable depending on the stacks I’m loading up. Occasionally I will need to load an extension ladder. I technically only need one rack to be mounted near the rear of the bed since I already have a backrack installed that could support the ladders near the cab - I also have a diamond plate toolbox mounted near the cab that I’ve thought about reinforcing and building onto.
My question now is, has anyone figured out a way to mount ladder rack posts to the existing side wall rails that are capable of sliding and locking into the rail, just like the handles on the rail do? I’ll attach a pic of the rails I’m talking about for clarity, but anyone who got the truck with Ford factory cargo management rails installed should understand.
I’m hoping someone here might have some more knowledge on the locking mechanism of the handles that could explain if it’s even possible to replicate that mechanism on the posts of a ladder rack. Just want to bounce ideas around and hopefully somewhere in the mix I can find a feasible solution.
I’d prefer to not remove the backrack or toolbox since it’s my main bed storage and they protect the rear window but if all else fails, I’ll consider removing them to purchase a tonneau/ladder rack system to replace them.
Any and all ideas/suggestions/criticism is welcome!
My question now is, has anyone figured out a way to mount ladder rack posts to the existing side wall rails that are capable of sliding and locking into the rail, just like the handles on the rail do? I’ll attach a pic of the rails I’m talking about for clarity, but anyone who got the truck with Ford factory cargo management rails installed should understand.
I’m hoping someone here might have some more knowledge on the locking mechanism of the handles that could explain if it’s even possible to replicate that mechanism on the posts of a ladder rack. Just want to bounce ideas around and hopefully somewhere in the mix I can find a feasible solution.
I’d prefer to not remove the backrack or toolbox since it’s my main bed storage and they protect the rear window but if all else fails, I’ll consider removing them to purchase a tonneau/ladder rack system to replace them.
Any and all ideas/suggestions/criticism is welcome!
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