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The Ultimate Ladder Rack Guide for Work Trucks (2025)
Stop losing ladders and spec something that holds. From straps to custom racks—here’s what to buy and how to secure it.
Leyhan Hansen
July 23, 2025
Why Ladder Racks Matter for Work Trucks
Hauling ladders, conduit, or long material? A ladder rack is non-negotiable.
A loose strap or weak rack can destroy your gear—or someone else’s windshield.
Spec the wrong setup? You waste time, money, and reputation.
Spec it right? You stay compliant, efficient, and out of trouble.
System One Ladder Rack with a cab protector.
Top Ladder Rack Brands to Know
These are the go-to commercial ladder racks trusted by upfitters and fleet buyers:
Weather Guard Ladder Rack – Durable, steel or aluminum, clamp or bolt-on.
System One Ladder Rack – Premium all-aluminum with tie-down integration.
Buyers Products Ladder Rack – Great value, steel and aluminum models for trucks or service bodies.
Adrian / Prime Design – Best options for drop-down van racks if you're upfitting support vehicles.
🧠 Planning a fleet of work trucks? Check out 7 Spec Mistakes That Cost Fleets Thousands (And How to Avoid Them)
Straps and Tie Downs: Lock It Down Right
The rack carries your ladders. But without proper straps and tie downs, it’s a liability.
Here’s how to spec what actually works — not just what's cheap.
🧷 Strap Types & Tie Downs
Strap Type | Best For | Trade-Offs | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
Cam buckle | Light ladders | May loosen | Quick jobs |
Ratchet | Heavy loads | Slower, bulky | Daily pro use |
Velcro | Light gear | Very low strength | Bundling/short trips |
Retractable | Frequent use | Lower capacity | Fleets, convenience |
🔩 Hardware to Add
Rubber-coated hooks
UV-rated polyester straps
Lockable tie downs
Rear rollers for easy loading
You’ll find tie down straps at Lowe’s and tie down straps at Home Depot — but pro fleets trust System One straps and Buyers Products winches built for real workloads.
Work Winches for Work Trucks: Secure It. Fast.
If you spec work trucks with ladder racks but skip the winch, you're leaving gear unsecured. These winch systems lock down ladders, conduit, and long cargo with repeatable tension.
🔩 Work Winch Types
Winch Type | Best For | Mounting | Capacity | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Square Tube | Steel racks | Bolts to square bar | ~500 lbs WLL | Ladder tie-down |
Round Tube | Alum. racks | Clamps to round bar | ~500 lbs WLL | Van/round rack use |
Bolt-on | Flatbeds | Frame or stake rail | 5,000–5,500 lbs | Heavy cargo hauling |
Retractable | Fleets | Rack/frame mount | 500–5,000 lbs* | Fast strap stow/use |
📉 Tired of constant repairs and tool replacements? Why Your Work Truck Is Always in the Shop (And How to Stop It)
When to Go Custom With Your Ladder Rack
Not every chassis fits a bolt-on rack. Go custom when:
You need removable bows for tanks or tall cargo
You want a welded front bumper stop
You spec dump bodies or hybrid truck beds
Your tool layout demands special clearances
Custom racks prevent field mods, install delays, and safety issues.
Steel vs. Aluminum Ladder Racks: What to Choose
Steel Racks:
More rigid, more affordable
Easier to weld
Found in Buyers Products and Weather Guard Contractor Series
Aluminum Racks:
Lighter, rust-resistant
Increases usable payload
Built into System One and Weather Guard PRO
Buy steel for max durability.
Buy aluminum for payload gains and long-term ROI.
Ladder Rack Fitment by Work Truck Type
Vehicle | Rack Style | Material | Mounting | Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Work Trucks | Over-cab, side | Steel/Alum | Clamp, bolt, rail | 800–1,250 lbs | For ladders, pipe, long cargo |
Vans | Roof, drop-down | Steel/Alum | Roof, gutter track | 300–700 lbs | Limited by roof rating |
Service Bodies | Over-cab, utility side | Steel/Alum | Bolt-on (body top) | 500–1,000 lbs | Often includes rear removable bar |
Dump Bodies | Cab protector & rear posts | Steel | Mounts to headboard & corner posts | 500–1,000 lbs* | Custom rack avoids dump bed tilt |
🔧 Want to spec bodies like a pro? Start with the Mechanic Truck Guide: Spec, Use & Maintain Right
FAQ: Common Questions About Ladder Racks
Q: what is a ladder rack?
A ladder rack is a mounted system for carrying ladders, pipe, or long materials on a work truck or van. They bolt or clamp to the vehicle and free up bed or cargo space while securing your load.
Q: are ladder racks universal?
Some ladder racks are adjustable, but most perform best when matched to your vehicle type — especially on service bodies, van roofs, or enclosed beds. Choose one made for your chassis.
Q: how much weight can a ladder rack hold?
Most work truck ladder racks hold between 300 and 1,250 lbs, depending on the material (steel or aluminum) and where they’re mounted (pickup, van, dump, or utility body). Weather Guard and System One racks fall within this range.
Q: what’s the best ladder rack for a truck cap?
System One ladder racks are top-rated for truck caps. They offer lightweight aluminum frames, integrated tie-downs, and long-lasting durability without drilling.
Q: how do tie down straps work?
Tie down straps secure your load by applying tension between anchor points on your ladder rack or truck bed.
Cam buckle straps pull tight by hand — ideal for light ladders and quick use.
Ratchet straps use a mechanical gear handle for high-tension, heavy loads.
Retractable straps auto-rewind and save time — perfect for fleets or high-turnover setups.
You can buy tie down straps at Lowe’s, tie down straps at Home Depot, or use pro-level systems from System One and Buyers Products for commercial racks and flatbeds.
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Leyhan
Founder, The Upfit Insider
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