Best Ladder Racks for Work Trucks [Which Ones Are Removable?]

If you own a truck and use it for work purposes, a ladder rack can greatly improve your truck’s versatility and carrying capacity, especially for long cargo items such as pipes and loads of lumber that are too long for the bed. Since ladder racks rise upwards and typically extend over the cab as well, your bed storage capacity is minimally affected. In effect, you are providing your work truck with more storage capacity.

If you’ve got a cap on your truck, don’t sweat it since there are ladder racks that can be fitted over truck caps as well, allowing you to enhance your storage of long items without compromising the weather protection that you’ve installed for the bed.

What if you use your truck for work as well as play? You’ll find a ladder rack to be pretty useful when venturing into the great outdoors on adventure as well. From surfboards to kayaks to skis, a ladder rack will make short work of safely transporting them without eating into your truck bed space.

Leonard Truck Accessories has a whole load of ladder trucks for you to choose from. Simply check out this link and you’ll find over 200 options. Stop by one of our stores to have a look, and we’ll even help you install it after purchasing.

How to Choose The Best Ladder Rack

How do you choose the best ladder rack for your purpose? Here are five tips to consider when choosing a ladder rack.

1. Material

Some ladder racks are made from steel while others are made out of aluminum. Aluminum is longer lasting, as it doesn’t rust, unlike steel. However, an aluminum rack may be more expensive, and a well-maintained steel rack can last almost as long as an aluminum one if kept in good order, and you live in an area that doesn't see a lot of rainfall, snow, or other precipitation.

2. Ease Of Use

How easy is it to load and unload cargo, as well as remove and re-fit the rack if it’s a removable ladder rack? Some racks come with rollers to help with moving cargo on and off them. Others have a variety of tethers, hooks, and mounting points. Of course, the cost will be higher than a basic rack.

3. Safety

What are the safety features of a rack, especially in terms of preventing cargo from flying off the rack and into the surrounding area. You want a rack that will keep your cargo safe, even if you have to perform an emergency stop, or a sudden swerve to avoid an obstacle.

4. Fit For Purpose

Consider what you are going to carry on your ladder rack, and choose accordingly. It is possible to select a ladder rack that's too big, or too small for your truck as well as your carrying needs.

5. Extra Features

Some ladder racks have extra storage containers, mounting points for extra lights, and other bonus features. If you need these, check if your choice of ladder rack is compatible before making a purchase.

Should You Get a Removable Ladder Rack?

Some ladder racks are permanent fixtures, which isn’t a problem if your truck is predominantly used for work. However, some people may desire a removable ladder rack. The advantages of a removable ladder rack are that you can simply remove it and store in your garage when not required, cutting down on carrying unnecessary weight.

Ladder racks can also cause additional wind noise when cruising down the freeway at speed, and if you use your truck for family duties and vacations, you might not want to rock up at a hotel or restaurant in a truck with a ladder rack. Not to mention that a ladder rack may also restrict your parking options due to the increased height of your truck with it installed.

These are some reasons why you may consider a removable, rather than fixed ladder rack.

Top Ladder Racks For Work Trucks

Let’s look at three options for ladder racks straight from our inventory. If you’re interested, just get in touch with us and we’d be glad to help you pick, purchase, and install.

Vantech P3000 Aluminum Ladder Rack

A basic offering from Vantech, the P3000 Aluminum Ladder Rack starts at a wallet-friendly $275, and if you purchase a pair, you can carry up to 600lbs. There's some drilling required, or removal of factory bed caps, so you need to consider that. This is not a removable rack, and doesn't interfere with factory tonneau covers.

Kargo Master Pro II Steel Ladder Rack For Trucks Without Camper Shells

This solid offering from Kargo Master starts at $879, and gives you a full 1,700lbs of cargo capacity to play with. Built in the USA, it sports a high gloss marine paint finish to ensure ample protection, and it's said to have been tested for 1,000 hours with ASTM salt spray resistance. Fitting beds of lengths 6.5 feet to 8 feet, it's a removable assembly and only requires four bolts to be unfastened.

Great Day Rapid Rack Removable Transport Truck Ladder Rack

Another wallet-friendly offering starting at $356, the Great Day Rapid Rack Removable Transport Truck Ladder Rack is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum and finished with a black powder-coated enamel coating. Able to carry up to 200lbs, this slim and sleek rack is easily removable as well.

Talk All Things Truck At Leonard Truck Accessories

If you want to find anything for your truck, Leonard Truck Accessories is your best bet. We've been around since 1963, and operate over 50 company-owned truck accessory centers across the country. If you’re an online shopper, browse a range numbering thousands of products. We not only help you choose the best products for your truck and usage scenario, but will help you install it if required.

We go the extra mile to provide competitive pricing, ensuring that you receive maximum value for money. Wrap it all up with comprehensive warranties where applicable, and it’s hard to beat Leonard Truck Accessories.