How to Build Your Own U-Channel Ladder Rack
A ladder rack is an essential addition to any pickup truck used for construction or other work that necessitates transporting ladders. The racks can carry folding or extension ladders. They don't even have to be restricted to ladders; they can haul canoes, kayaks, long boards or almost anything else that doesn't fit conveniently into the pickup truck's bed. While commercially available ladder racks come in a variety of styles and sizes, you can make a ladder rack instead of buying one.
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Instructions
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Build a basic pickup truck ladder rack with a dozen pieces of u-channel steel. Cut four pieces with the metal chop saw for uprights to fit inside the mounting holes in the pickup bed, generally 2 inches square. Make them tall enough to clear the top of the pickup cab by 6 inches while still fitting securely in the bed's mounting holes. The length will vary with the make and model of truck.
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Measure the distance between the uprights and cut two horizontal rails to fit between them. The length will vary with make and model of the truck. Weld the rails to the uprights on the inside of those poles, with the channel facing down. The joints should be square.
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Make two cross braces and ladder supports to fit between the side rails and extend past the sides about 6 inches. The length will vary with the size of the pickup bed. Weld the cross braces between the two side frames on the top of the posts, with the channel facing down. Cut four 8-inch pieces of u-channel and them weld upright to the outside of the end pieces to keep ladders from sliding off the sides of the rack.
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