Any recommendations on a gutter mount ladder rack?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

RavenTai

RavenTai

10 Year 15 Year 20 Year
Joined
Nov 16, 2003
Threads
105
Messages
6,045
Location
Dixie co. Florida
I need to get a rack that will securely hold a 24’ fiberglass extension ladder and a 6’ step ladder going around Atlanta’s freeways daily. Maybe some light 6’ steel pipe also, maybe 200 pounds max probably more like 100 most days but overkill is good here.

I am thinking a two bar variety with good gutter mounts, hopefully around $100 or so, can spend more if needed to get secure mount.

Been looking at the archives most rook rack talk is basket or platform form for camping gear and alike.

Maf and Sor have the same kind of thing, the two bar variety they do have are for bikes and what not.

Any suggestions?
 
Yakima bars would do it. I've run three before to secure 12' lumber, you can get all three bars to be planar and it works pretty well. The 16' trim flops around a little though :rolleyes:

You can even get those canoe holders to keep the ladders in place..
 
You mean the Yakima A1 towers? Will they hold that much weight?

a1twrs.jpg


Being plastic I did not think they were up to the task, but I have been surprised by plastic in the past when done right.

I can get the A1 towers pretty cheap on Ebay and add my own round stock for the cross bars.
 
arb roof rack, never had a problem with mine
 
raven, I use those same yakima racks on my truck for work ladders, the only downside is making sure it secure if not the ladders will slide around alot, there is nothing to keep them from sliding from side to side, I think yakima sells ladder braces or something like that for them.
 
80jay said:
raven, I use those same yakima racks on my truck for work ladders, the only downside is making sure it secure if not the ladders will slide around alot, there is nothing to keep them from sliding from side to side, I think yakima sells ladder braces or something like that for them.
Click to expand...

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've hauled ladders on top of my Toyotas from one coast to another and back many times.

I've always used Yakima, either gutter mount (a-1s) or track mounted (fit into slides on factory rack)

2 bars should be fine I think.

THE KEY IS

to find what Yakima calls "L" brackets....I think they are discontinued....but still around. They are cheap brackets shaped like the name, and they slide on the bar, and tighten down whereever you want. In other words, you can quickly have them grab any width ladder, and this eliminates any side to side movement.....some motorcycle straps, one on each bar, will prevent any movement at any speed....

Eliminating the noise (howl) the wind will generate by blowing across the hollow steps is another trick. PM me for more info....
 
I have a line on 4 used gutter mounts, I'll know if I have them in 11 hours, they take 1" OD round tube, I think 1/8" wall will be strong enough, going to borrow a welder to put some 3" or so verticle ends on.

have not gotten as far as how to secure the inside of the ladder. I do not see any of these "L" brackets on Ebay, would they go by another name?


Edit, Gunwale brackets, cool!
 
They are called "load stops" maybe?

They are out there, if they aren't on Yakima's site.

Maybe I can take pics of mine later today.
 
Let me know if you dont get them I have a set (4) with Locks /Keys in the garage, we can trade something for them , or you can help me make a mod.
 
Don't delete!!! Just ask. Those things won't steer you wrong unless I misunderstood your intent.

PM me if I can help.
 
fuelgeddes, what kind of mod do you want to do? I am south of town down I-85 just north of Newnan.

CC, It's OK I just deleted as we were posting at the same time and it was no longer needed,

The Yakima stuff is based on 1" OD round tube correct? Their site is kind of lacking in technical details. The instructions say the gunwales/load stops can be used with square or round tube but does not give dimensions,
 
I was going to add some aux plugs in the front and rear. I know it is a :banana: job but I have never done anything like it. Maybe get the wires set up for a dual battery set up for the rear.. I dont know. I am really up for anything. It does not need to be complicated. or you could just give me $50 for the towers with locks. I am not sure what the pipe size is but I can take a look and see. I am located in Decatur Ga. so I am not that far from you. Let me know.
 
well this picture scared me off on the plasic mounts.

IMG_2593.jpg


there were some extenuating circumstances that led to this but this will be a daily use, emergency braking, lane changes etc it needs to stay there.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=36039

I think I am going to try to get some "quik-n-easy" mounts, I had some on ebay that were going for $15 for 4 this morning, they got overbid to near new pricing at the last minute

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...d=1,1&item=8076634745&sspagename=STRK:MEDW:IT

gonna call the manufacturer Monday and order some new ones,

http://www.quik-n-easyproducts.com/

but I would be glad to help you with wiring some afternoon, I have just about any wiring tool you could possibly need, I also have dual batteries that you can take a look at and figure out routing and alike.
 
I'm personally fond of my Thule racks. The raingutter racks are steel construction as are the plastic coated bars. the standard two rack sytem system is rated at 165lbs load capacity but I used a 3rd bar across the middle of my 4x8 Con-ferr rack for added support. I assume it could now handle ~250lbs if not a bit more based on what ever safety factor they use. I've hauled a lot of crap on my rack and have never had any issues. I'm sure your application is fine but unless you can find a set of used ones, you'll be well beyond your $100 budget.

In this shot, you can see the 3 bars under the rack with the front and rear bars having locks on them while the middle does not...
http://community.webshots.com/photo/58092058/1058092763028774797YlyVjg

Here's a sample of a 2 bar rack system for $163...
http://www.a1-autoracks.com/rain-gutter-roof-racks.html

WET
 
We have made a couple of good roof racks at work. We use aluminium 25x25 box section for the main frame and cross ribs, aluminium secruity mesh for the floor and folded 3mm ally uprights with a 25x6 ally flat bar gutter load disperser running from the front mount to the rear.

Here is a photo of a roof rack of a similar design to ones we build. I don't have any of the ones we build. Ours have 4 uprights instead of three.

monduran1.webp
monduran1.webp
 
Just to give you an idea of the strength of yakima.
I recently drove home 10 miles at 70mph with a 16ft treated 6x6 on top of two yakima cross bars. A 24 ft ladder will not be a problem.
 
Im also a big fan of Yak racks, I have them on 3 of my vechicles.
I have over loaded them with no ill effects, welllll ,, I have a bent set of bars but no problems with the mounts.


IMHO I would go with the yak bars ( plastic coated )


ken
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom