I just got a new job today that will require me hauling a 28ft fiberglass ext ladder. I did some searching, and this seems to be my best option. I looked at price, weight limit, and removeability( gonna need it out to load bikes in there).
http://www.realtruck.com/cross_tread...medium=Website

Does anyone have any advice to share before I commit to buying this? Do you think that it being removable makes it weaker? Like I said, it is only going to be holding 1 ladder.

 

One ladder you say?

I'm gonna bet you will need more than one ladder and steps.

I'd try and find a drop in rack,much stronger and more safe.

 

get one like I have. I found it on craigslist for $150. It holds alot of crap.

 

why not buy two of those drop in ones.
do you know a fabricator? have one made an make it removable.

 

Brit- Yes, ONE ladder. No need for anything else. Steps?

07rangersport- What kind do you have?

Morris/brit- Drop ins go across the bed, using all 4 holes. One of those would NOT be easily removable, and make it impossible to load my bike in the truck. They also seem a bit overkill for one ladder.

 

Won't make it impossible to load a bike. The rear rails are usually hindged. IMO, when i was in construction, I was WISHING I had a full on ladder/lumbar rack. Ratchets bolted to the rails. 2 or 3 ladders on one side, 400ft of 20' sticks of copper tubing or abs pipe. If you know your only going to need one ladder, then do it. BUT, i'd first check out craigslist. You can get a full on rack for cheaper than the one your looking at. Ones with "over the cab" length.

Ever thought about having a headache rack built?

 

i might build one out of wood to carry a 10' jon boat ... not sure if the boat and all my other ish will fit in the bed of the truck going back to ca

 

I have a ranger Edge stepside, and seems impossible to find a ladder rack somewhat "affordable", nothing below $500. I don't want to consider the "weekender" type yet, the one that hold ladders on one side of the bed.

Anybody with ladder racks on stepside models ??

 

I had a ranger edge stepside with a full truck rack from system one , your problem is the stepside has no pockets.
http://www.industrialproducts.com/La...-One-s/375.htm

 

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Mine is that same idea but my canopy goes under it and mine doesn't extend over the cab.

 

My dad had a rack like the first one you list and it worked just fine. He had 3 or 4 fiberglass and or aluminum ladders on it at times. It was a pain to install because he had a bed liner but it seemed to hold up good.