DeployPro Ladder Racks™

Dodge Ram, Mercedes, Nissan, Chevy, Ford, or GM – no matter which work van you use, installing a high-quality ladder rack is vital to those who work with ladders on a regular basis.

However, choosing the right ladder rack for your needs can be quite a head-scratcher. So, we bring you some of the most essential things to consider when you set out to buy a van ladder rack.

Some of the most important things you must account for while buying a ladder rack are:

  • Your model, year, and variant of your van
  • The height of the roof of your van
  • The minimum, average, and maximum weight you expect to haul
  • The type of ladder rack that fits your needs
  • The cost of the rack
  • The material of the van ladder rack
  • The minimum and maximum cargo space you need
  • Van ladder rack warranty
  • Supplementary features and tools
  • Customization options

Once you have clear answers to all (or most) of the aforementioned points, choosing a ladder rack for your van will become hassle-free. Here’s discussing some of the key considerations:

1. Type of vehicle

The first and most important thing to consider is the type of work van you have. With a plethora of van ladder racks available in the market today, you can make things simpler for yourself by narrowing down your options based on the type of vehicle you have. The most popular van and truck types include the following:

  • Full-size pick-up truck
  • Full-size van
  • Mini pick-up (compact)
  • Sprinter van
  • Sprinter high-roof van
  • Utility pick-up truck

2. HeightOf The Roof

Ladder racks are generally categorized based on the type of vehicle and the height of its roof. With a variety of vans that feature varying roof heights, you can easily look for the right ladder rack by filtering options available based on the height of the roof:

  • Low roof
  • Standard roof
  • Mid roof
  • High roof

3. Rack Type

Hauling and unloading a ladder should not be a complex, time-consuming, or physically challenging task. This is exactly why ladder racks were invented in the first place! Once you know your vehicle type and roof height, you can select from a range of user-friendly van ladder racks that make handling and storing ladders a walk in the park. Here are some of the most popular types of racks that you will find in the market:

  • Base ladder racks
  • Rear access racks
  • Lock-down racks
  • Side access rotation racks
  • Cargo carriers
  • Inside van racks
  • Pickup ladder racks

4. Metal

You are going to be carrying heavy loads on top of your vehicle, which makes the rack material a prime consideration. Metals like steel and aluminum are the most preferred materials for truck and van ladder racks. While both steel and aluminum are basically alloys that comprise basic elements, they have their own sets of pros and cons that you should weigh before making a decision about which one to buy.

  • Steel

Think heavy-duty, think steel. For decades, steel has been the go-to material for construction purposes and it is no surprise that it has emerged as a winner in ladder rack construction materials too. Steel ladder racks are economical (compared to other options) and extremely strong, thus making them both affordable and reliable for van owners in the long run. However, the disadvantage of steel ladder racks is that even though they are generally powder coated, the finish eventually wears off, leaving them susceptible to rust. And rusted metal on the outside of your van is not a pretty sight!

  • Aluminum

While aluminum ladder racks are more expensive than their steel counterparts, they have their own advantages that make them almost irresistible for work van owners. Most aluminum racks in the market today are powder coated and even if the finish wears off, the metal does not rust. Not even in harsh conditions. This means you are sure to have an excellent-looking work van. Aluminum racks are low-maintenance accessories and require negligible upkeep. The fact that aluminum ladder racks are lighter than steel ones makes them ideal from a fuel savings point of view.

Discover the widest selection of truck and cargo van ladder racks in steel and aluminum right here.

5. Customization

The biggest consideration in today’s day and age should be whether you can get a ladder rack customized to your specific needs. While selecting a readymade rack based on the aforementioned factors is obviously an option, companies like American Van also give you the choice to custom-design your ladder rack – just the way you want it.

Build your own rack with American Van today!

You can also check if the seller or vendor has rack mounting kits, rack straps, lockable ladder clamps, and other handy accessories that can make it easy for you to install the rack and enhance its functionality.

American Van’s selection of sturdy ladder racks features products that have passed all necessary safety tests. Browse through our catalog of easy-to-use ladder rack systems for vans and pick the best for yourself today.