The Best Truck Racks & Van Racks (Review) in 2023 | Autance

There is no denying the value of a durable and affordable truck rack. This versatile accessory is a must-have for adventurous souls and professionals who are constantly on the go. Racks make a great addition to work vans and help transport ladders and other equipment safely and securely. Traveling to your favorite kayaking or holiday destination with your bicycle or canoe in tow is also possible thanks to modern racks and their innovative design. The market has no shortage of quality racks that add more cargo space to your vehicle without breaking the bank. You will find the cream of the crop and the best truck racks in our helpful guide below.

The Best Truck Rack & Van Rack

Best Truck Racks & Van Racks Buying Guide

There are so many ladder racks for pickup trucks to choose from, with all kinds of features that cater to both adventurous souls and professionals. Installing the right rack means you can transport cargo of all shapes and sizes onboard your vehicle safely and securely. Taking your go-to adventure gear with you during road trips is made easy thanks to the wide variety of racks that can be installed above the truck bed or roof. Our guide below sheds more light on each type and offers helpful tips on how to install your newly purchased ladder rack.

Things to Consider When Buying a Truck Rack

• Cargo

Racks are used to transport all kinds of work-related gear and they also make traveling with surf boards and kayaks possible. They make a great addition to small and mid-sized vans that have narrow or compact truck beds. The type of gear or sports equipment you want to transport dictates the kind of rack you need. Professionals who depend on long ladders for work can go for a narrow yet functional rack. Families who need their truck beds for coolers and other travel essentials can invest in a wide rack to transport their fishing poles or kayaks.

• Loading Capacity

Tuck racks have different loading capacities so not all brands or models can support heavy cargo. This applies to trucks as well since there is a gross vehicle weight rating that must not be exceeded when traveling with sizable cargo. Locating this number is easy and you can typically find it either in the manual or plastered to the driver’s door inside your truck. Professionals who use their van or truck for work need to make sure that the combined weight of the rack, vehicle and cargo does not exceed the gross vehicle weight.

• Steel vs. Aluminum

Steel and aluminum are both used in the manufacturing of quality truck racks and it is up to you to decide which material you prefer. Aluminum racks are rust resistant and not as heavy as steel. They are a bit pricey, but they help balance out the extra load that is added to your truck or van. Rain and snow will not affect them in the long run unlike steel that is prone to corrosion. However, steel is extremely tough and can support heavier loads without collapsing or losing its durability. Professionals who rely on their truck for work and for transporting their equipment will definitely benefit from a powder coated steel rack. Truck owners who live in areas where snow and rain are a common occurrence might want to invest in aluminum racks rather than steel.

• Compatibility

You will find many manufacturers that sell universal racks that can be installed in trucks of all sizes. Most of these racks have crossbars that can be extended to fit most truck beds. This universal design is therefore compatible with trucks and vans no matter their make or model. Purchasing a universal rack is a great long-term investment since you can easily remove it and reinstall it in a brand-new truck. Many brands also sell racks that were designed for certain models like the Ford Transit and Nissan Titan. These specialty racks have different specifications and features that cater to each specific model and are typically more expensive and more stylish compared to universal racks.

• Accessories

Many brands like the ones mentioned in our list offer more than just traditional racks. They also sell additional accessories packed with bonus features to help you make the most out of your purchase. Headache racks are one example of an accessory that was designed to protect the rear window. Anti-theft cables and locks are sometimes sold separately, and they help keep expensive cargo safe while your truck is parked. Bed nets, tie downs and anchors are also on offer to help keep bulky items secure during bumpy rides and adventurous off-road trips.

Why You Should Use Van Racks

• Double Your Cargo

Nothing beats having ample space for coolers and camping gear especially if you own a small or medium size truck. Truck racks allow you to pack up everything you need for your trip without compromising on essentials and without leaving anything behind because you ran out of space. This accessory also allows hardworking truck owners to load up their daily supplies and tools for the day inside the truck bed before securing their utility ladder to their rack of choice. This two-in-one solution to compact or narrow truck bed problems is lightweight and affordable. The benefit of having additional space are endless especially if you use your truck or van on a daily basis to transport building materials and other supplies.

• Protect Your Truck Bed

Ladders, pipes and other sizable pieces of equipment not only crowd your truck bed, but they also lead to scratches and dents over time. Loose or untied cargo will shift and collide with the sides of the truck, causing more damage that will cost you money in the long run. Installing one or even two racks will help preserve your truck bed since heavy items with a substantial length will remain suspended over the bed.

Different Kinds of Truck & Van Racks

• Side-Mount Racks

These racks are the ideal accessory for transporting ladders since they are narrow in terms of width. They make a great addition to any truck. Many of these models have a 500-pound carrying capacity and are equipped with tie-downs and extendable uprights that cater to different sized trucks.

• Over-Truck Bed Racks

Truck bed racks are a popular and practical choice thanks to their numerous features. There are so many options to choose from such as removable racks that are easy to assemble and install, and sports racks that can accommodate up to four bicycles. Some racks have an adjustable height feature that allows you to load tall or bulky gear while others have an extendable length and ample width to accommodate kayaks and surf boards.

• Rain Gutter Racks

Those are mounted on the roof of vans and are connected to rain gutters. Rain gutter racks are typically installed in commercial vans and other vehicles to transport heavy loads. They are affordable and some models are equipped with oval shaped posts that reduce wind noise and reduce rack height as well.

• Back Racks

Back racks or headache racks guard the rear window and are a great alternative to high ladder racks. Their design is simple and can be used for more than just shielding the cabin from shifting cargo. Back racks have uprights that can be used to secure equipment big and small such as ladders using bungee cords or tie down straps. Some have a stylish mesh design that complements most trucks while others have horizontal or vertical bars that help keep the cabin cool. Back racks will not get in the way of you parking in your own garage or in multi-level garages while traveling.

How to Install a Ladder Rack

DIY enthusiasts can install their newly purchased ladder rack by following the instruction manual. Each design comes with its own set of instructions and hardware kit. Below are some incredibly helpful tips that will help you install your newly purchased rack.

• Make sure that the lumber rack truck is equipped with an adjustable handle system. This feature allows you to safely access your ladder from the side. The handle makes mounting equipment easy and hassle free.
• The rack must be mounted correctly, and this involves tightly fastening the bolts or clamps. Each component must be correctly positioned and secured in place using the hardware supplied with each kit.
• To prevent moisture from building up and causing issues down the line, telescoping tubes must be used to seal any moisture prone areas that can damage steel crossbars.
• Locks are also a great accessory for truck and van owners who transport valuable cargo. These locks are also used to keep ladders in place and help keep your precious equipment safe in gas stations and parking lots. Make sure that the cables you use are compatible with these locks.
• Invest in heavy duty bungee cords and ratchet straps.
• Keep in mind that not all racks can be removed once installed. Therefore, it is not advised to remove bolted racks in the hopes of installing them in another vehicle. Those that come with a clamp system can be removed since the c-clamps do not require drilling.

Our Top Pick

There are so many Thule roof bars out there, but the TracOne universal rack stands out in a myriad of ways. This model is packed with a ton of features with an aerodynamic design and durable aluminum construction. You can easily use your truck to transport 800 pounds of cargo and even adventure related gear like surf boards and kayaks in a safe and secure manner. The durable bars can be installed in less than an hour without resorting to drills and without making permanent changes to your truck bed. Moreover, the elongated crossbars help minimize wind resistance and the airfoil strips found within the crossbar slots prevent those grating whistling noises that can give you a headache while driving. What is also great about this rack is its one size fits all universal design that does not restrict it to one or two car models.

Source:

1. How Cargo Carriers Work – How Stuff Works