Ladder Rack Systems
Ladder Rack Systems for Trucks, Vans & Contractor Builds
A ladder rack is any vehicle-mounted rack tall enough to carry ladders, lumber, conduit, kayaks, or other long cargo above the cab line. We carry ladder racks built specifically for ladder transport (Thule TracRac systems) plus truck bed racks, canopy roof racks, and platform roof racks that all serve as ladder racks once they sit above cab height. We carry options from Thule, RSI SmartCap, Leitner Designs, and Front Runner, fitting full-size pickups, mid-size trucks, and Sprinter vans. Prices start at $899.95 for the Thule TracRac Pro 2 base configuration and run up to $3,899 for the Front Runner Slimline II for Sprinter vans. Every ladder rack on this page is engineered for genuine work and trade use, supports real load ratings, and ships with mounting hardware. Call us at 844-200-3979 to talk through which ladder rack setup fits your truck, bed length, and what you actually need to haul.
Featured Ladder Racks
Thule TracRac Pro 2 Pickup Truck Bed Rack
Price: From $899.95
Type: Truck bed ladder rack | Fits: Most full-size pickup beds (5 sizes available)
Build: Aluminum frame, no-drill mounting, 1,250 lb load rating
The most affordable option on the page and the workhorse ladder rack for contractors and trade pros. The Pro 2 mounts to your truck's existing bed rails with no-drill hardware, sits above cab height for true ladder rack functionality, and supports 1,250 lbs of load. Aluminum construction keeps weight reasonable while resisting corrosion from years of work-truck abuse. Available in 5 sizes to fit different truck bed lengths.
Thule TracRac Utility Rack
Price: $1,099.95
Type: Utility ladder rack | Fits: Most pickup truck beds (2 sizes available)
Build: Aluminum construction, utility-grade configuration, no-drill mount
The Thule TracRac Utility Rack is the contractor ladder rack pick for owners who need utility-grade configuration with the same proven Thule TracRac mounting system. Sits above cab height for ladder, conduit, and lumber transport, with the utility-specific design giving you flexible tie-down points across the rack frame. Available in 2 sizes to match common truck bed dimensions.
Thule TracRac SR Truck Bed Rack System
Price: From $1,399.00
Type: Heavy duty ladder rack | Fits: Most full-size pickups (multiple sizes)
Build: Reinforced aluminum, full-length track system, premium spec
The Thule TracRac SR is the step-up from the Pro 2 with a full-length track system that gives you more mounting flexibility for accessories, multiple ladders, and mixed cargo. The reinforced aluminum construction handles serious daily abuse, the track system makes loading and unloading faster, and the premium build quality justifies the price for contractors and trade pros running the truck as a primary work vehicle. The right truck bed ladder rack when the Pro 2 isn't quite enough.
RSI SmartCap Roller Rack
Price: $1,495.00
Type: Canopy roof rack with roller deck | Fits: RSI SmartCap canopies
Build: Aluminum platform, sliding roller deck, 660 lb static load
The RSI Roller Rack is a canopy roof rack that doubles as a roof ladder rack for owners running an RSI SmartCap canopy. Sits above cab height for ladder transport, with the sliding roller deck letting you load ladders, kayaks, or long lumber from the rear without lifting them onto the roof. The premium pick for SmartCap owners who haul long cargo regularly and want load-from-the-rear convenience.
Leitner Forged Active Cargo System (Tacoma/Tundra)
Price: From $1,950.00
Type: Premium truck bed rack / ladder rack | Fits: Toyota Tacoma & Tundra
Build: Forged aluminum, modular active configuration, 800+ lb load rating
Leitner Designs builds the Forged Active Cargo System specifically for Toyota Tacoma and Tundra owners who want a premium ladder rack that doubles as an overland platform. Forged aluminum construction handles work-truck loads and overland abuse, the modular active configuration lets you reconfigure the rack for different cargo types (ladders, lumber, kayaks, rooftop tents), and the engineering DNA carries over from Leitner's flagship overland gear. The right pick for Tacoma and Tundra owners who use the truck for both work and recreation.
Front Runner Slimline II for Sprinter Van
Price: $3,899.00
Type: Premium van ladder rack platform | Fits: Freightliner Sprinter Van 2007-current
Build: Slimline II platform, T-slot mounting, full-length van coverage
The Front Runner Slimline II for the Sprinter Van is the premium van ladder rack we carry, sized to span the full length of the Sprinter roof for serious cargo capacity. The Slimline II platform sits above cab height by default (vans are flat-topped, so the platform itself becomes the ladder rack), the T-slot mounting system lets you bolt ladder mounts, conduit racks, kayak carriers, and other accessories anywhere on the platform. The right pick for trade pros, contractors, and overland van builders who want the same platform proven on overland 4x4 rigs.
Ladder Racks Compared
| Product | Type | Fits | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thule TracRac Pro 2 | Truck bed ladder rack | Most full-size pickups (5 sizes) | Contractors, daily work-truck use | From $899.95 |
| Thule TracRac Utility Rack | Utility-config ladder rack | Most pickups (2 sizes) | Trade pros needing flexible tie-downs | $1,099.95 |
| Thule TracRac SR | Heavy duty ladder rack | Full-size pickups (multiple sizes) | Primary work vehicle, premium build | From $1,399.00 |
| RSI SmartCap Roller Rack | Canopy roof rack / roof ladder rack | RSI SmartCap canopies | SmartCap owners, load-from-rear convenience | $1,495.00 |
| Leitner Forged ACS | Premium bed rack / ladder rack | Toyota Tacoma & Tundra | Dual-purpose work + overland builds | From $1,950.00 |
| Front Runner Slimline II Sprinter | Van ladder rack platform | Freightliner Sprinter Van 2007+ | Trade vans, overland van builders | $3,899.00 |
What Makes Something a Ladder Rack? The Cab-Height Rule
Here's something most buyers don't realize: almost any truck bed rack, roof rack, or canopy roof rack can serve as a ladder rack as long as it sits above the cab line of your truck. The defining feature of a ladder rack isn't a special design or branded label; it's the height. If the rack puts the cargo above the cab roof, you can lay a ladder across it and you have a working ladder rack. That's why our collection includes truck bed racks, canopy roof racks, and full van roof rack platforms alongside dedicated ladder rack products like the Thule TracRac line.
Truck bed racks that sit at or above cab height (like the Leitner Forged ACS at full height configuration, or any aftermarket bed rack rated as "tall" or "above cab") double as ladder racks without any modifications. You lay the ladder across the bed rack crossbars, tie it down to the rack's tie-down points, and you're done. The cargo extends past the front of the cab by a few feet, which is exactly how dedicated truck ladder racks work. Browse our complete truck bed rack collection for additional options that work as ladder racks.
Roof racks and canopy roof racks are already above cab height by definition. Any flat platform roof rack (Front Runner Slimline II, Prinsu, Rhino-Rack Pioneer, CBI/Prinsu universal) becomes a roof ladder rack the moment you secure a ladder to its T-slot tracks. Crossbar systems work too, though they support fewer accessories. The RSI Roller Rack on this page is a canopy roof rack that excels at ladder transport because the rolling deck lets you load ladders from the rear without lifting them onto the roof.
Van ladder racks are typically full-length platform roof racks like the Front Runner Slimline II for Sprinter on this page. Vans have flat roofs above cab height by default, so any full-length platform rack becomes a van ladder rack as soon as it's installed. This is the standard configuration for contractor and trade vans where the entire roof becomes available ladder, conduit, and lumber storage.
The practical test: Stand next to your truck and look at the roofline of the cab. If the rack you're considering puts its load surface higher than that line, it works as a ladder rack. If the load surface sits below cab height (low-profile bed bars, tonneau cover toppers), it doesn't work because the ladder would have to angle up over the cab, creating wind drag and visibility issues. Match the rack height to the cargo, not to a branded product label.
Why You Need a Real Ladder Rack vs Strapping the Ladder to the Bed
Plenty of trades pros haul ladders in the bed of the truck strapped down with ratchet straps. It works for short trips, but the problems compound the more you do it. The ladder takes up the full bed length (no room for tools, lumber, or other cargo), the strap-down process eats 10-15 minutes per trip, and the ladder rests against bed rails that mark and scratch over time. A proper ladder rack solves all three problems at once: the ladder rides above the bed (full bed remains usable for other cargo), tie-down takes 2-3 minutes with proper rack mounts, and the rack absorbs the daily abuse instead of your truck bed.
For contractors, this is straightforward ROI math. A $899-$1,950 truck bed ladder rack pays back in time savings (10 minutes saved per trip x 200+ trips per year = 33+ hours annually) and avoided bed damage (a beat-up bed loses $1,500-$3,000 in resale value vs a clean bed). Most trade pros recover the rack cost in their first year of regular use, and the rack continues paying back for the next decade.
Aluminum vs Steel Ladder Racks
Two main material choices exist for ladder racks, and the trade-offs matter for daily-use trade vehicles.
Aluminum ladder rack construction (Thule TracRac line, Leitner Forged ACS, Front Runner Slimline II) is the modern standard. Aluminum doesn't rust even when scratched, weighs 30-40% less than steel, and stays straight under load without permanent deformation. The trade-off is slightly lower impact tolerance in a major collision scenario, but for normal trade use, aluminum is the right choice. Every premium ladder rack on this page uses aluminum.
Steel ladder racks are typically cheaper and slightly more impact-resistant, but they rust at the welds and weigh significantly more, which reduces payload capacity and adds wear to your truck's suspension. Most quality steel racks are powder-coated to slow the rust, but the protection eventually fails at chips and scratches. Steel works fine if you're on a budget, but for primary work-truck use, aluminum lasts longer and weighs less.
Vehicle-Specific Notes
Toyota Tacoma and Tundra owners have the strongest options on this page. The Leitner Forged Active Cargo System is engineered specifically for these platforms with the highest build quality and the most overland-friendly modular configuration. The Thule TracRac Pro 2, Utility, and SR also fit both Tacoma and Tundra with the right size kit. Tacoma 5' and 6' bed owners and Tundra 5.5', 6.5', and 8' bed owners all have full coverage.
Ford F150, Chevy Silverado, RAM 1500, and GMC Sierra owners running standard pickup beds are best served by the Thule TracRac Pro 2 (most affordable), TracRac Utility (utility-grade), or TracRac SR (premium). All three fit the major full-size pickup platforms with the right size kit.
RSI SmartCap owners on any truck platform should look at the RSI Roller Rack as the dedicated canopy roof rack option that doubles as a roof ladder rack. The Roller Rack mounts to the SmartCap's existing rail system without additional brackets.
Freightliner Sprinter Van owners get the Front Runner Slimline II as the premium van ladder rack platform. The 2007-current generation Sprinter has the right roof rail configuration for the Slimline II direct fitment.
Other trucks and vans (Ford Transit, RAM ProMaster, Nissan NV, GM Express, Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, Toyota Tacoma) can use the Thule TracRac systems with the appropriate size kit. If you don't see your specific year and model on this page, message us and we'll point you to the right ladder rack configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any truck bed rack as a ladder rack?
Yes, as long as the bed rack sits at or above the cab roof line. If the rack puts the load surface above cab height, you can lay a ladder across it and tie it down for transport. This works for the Leitner Forged ACS, Thule TracRac systems, and most other aftermarket bed racks in our bed rack collection. The rack just needs the height and the tie-down points; it doesn't need a special ladder-specific label.
Can I use a roof rack as a ladder rack?
Yes. Roof racks are already above cab height by definition, so any flat platform roof rack or crossbar system becomes a roof ladder rack the moment you secure a ladder to it. Platform racks like the Front Runner Slimline II and Prinsu are particularly well-suited because the T-slot mounting tracks accept dedicated ladder mounts that lock the ladder in place. Crossbar systems work too with the right strap-down approach.
How much weight can a ladder rack hold?
Capacity varies by rack: the Thule TracRac Pro 2 handles 1,250 lbs, the Thule TracRac SR handles even more, the Leitner Forged ACS handles 800+ lbs depending on configuration, and the RSI Roller Rack handles 660 lbs static. For typical contractor use (one or two ladders, conduit, and lumber bundles), most quality ladder racks have far more capacity than you'll actually use. Sum your typical load and pick a rack rated 50% above that for safety margin.
Is an aluminum ladder rack better than steel?
For most users, yes. Aluminum doesn't rust, weighs 30-40% less than steel (which preserves your payload and reduces wear on the suspension), and stays straight under load. Steel is slightly more impact-resistant in major collisions and typically costs less, but the rust issue at welds and scratches eventually compromises any steel rack. Every premium ladder rack on this page uses aluminum because it's the right material for daily trade and work-truck use.
Can I install a ladder rack myself?
Yes. Every ladder rack on this page is designed for DIY installation with no drilling required on most truck models. Plan for 1-3 hours with two people for the first install, since the assembled racks weigh 100-200+ lbs and need to be carefully positioned. Use thread-locking compound on every hardware bolt and re-torque after the first 1,000 miles of driving. Both Thule TracRac and Leitner ship with detailed instructions and complete mounting hardware.
Related
Roof Rack Collection
Browse the complete roof rack catalog. Most roof racks double as ladder racks since they sit above cab height by default.
Bed Rack Collection
Truck bed racks that work as ladder racks when configured above cab height. Includes additional brands and sizes.
Canopy Roof Rack Collection
Canopy roof racks for truck caps and toppers. All sit above cab height, making them natural ladder rack platforms.
Platform Roof Rack Collection
Platform roof racks like the Front Runner Slimline II and Prinsu that work as ladder racks with the right tie-down setup.
Need Help Picking the Right Ladder Rack?
Tell us your truck or van model, bed length, and what you typically haul. We will match you with the right ladder rack setup.
