Show me some lumber racks!

[colbystephens]

So I'm going to build a lumber rack with a friend for his Toyota pick-up. It's just a Tacoma - he uses it as his work truck for construction stuff. Just want to get some ideas on what features are really cool. We're going to build it from 1 3/4" round tube. He thinks he'd like to incorporate a lumber rack. Any thoughts about ratchet straps that would bolt to tabs?

Pics of your favorite lumber racks?

 

[COCHEV]

they make straps systems that bolt to your rack that are really nice. or you need to weld on hooks for your own ratchet straps. some guys who haul a lot build in two recess on each side so that lumber can be easily loaded onto the rack with a fork lift...

another nice feature is a metal grate type deal over the section that goes over the cab do that the top of the cab doesn't get damaged when loading materials.

 

[dhcomp]

cochev got it, make it fork liftable. Looks a little goofy, and may not be used often.....but i figure once in a while, having the ability to load by forklift would kick ass.

 

[colbystephens]

I like the fork lift idea but given that it's on a little Toyota, the chance of him ever putting that much stuff on top of his truck is minimal.

any links to your favorite strap systems?

 

[dhcomp]

Is it really worth your time to build one from scratch? Seems to me they pop up on craigslist all the time. Then you just have to cut/weld to fit. Might be a better use of your time.

 

[moneypit_K5]

Heres mine, its the only pic I could find. I can take some rack specific pics tomorrow if ya want.

I have had many different types of racks, and visually, I like square tube the best.
mine is great because theres lots of places to hook to with the little round bars.
One thing that is a must: allow the rear bar to be removable. Mine actually swings around and locks in, which rocks. A center support would be nice too, but it should also be removable.

I actually had a forkliftable rack- I hated it. it didnt offer many places to tie. Plus, I load via forklift with the one below all the time. No big deal.

another thing, build it so it sits on the bed rails, not inside them. mine has 1/4" angle on the rail, then the rack is welded to that. this distributes the weight much better than cheesy little legs that go to the bed floor.

 

[moneypit_K5]

I'll have to check and see who makes my rack straps, they are sweet! I bought them used, but new they are a little pricey-$50 each?

Apologies on the poser shot Colby, I'll get some rack closeups tomorrow if you want- or, I could even swing it by your place this weekend on my way to santarosa!

 

[colbystephens]

Is it really worth your time to build one from scratch? Seems to me they pop up on craigslist all the time. Then you just have to cut/weld to fit. Might be a better use of your time.

We're going to build it because it'll be fun more than anything else.

[. . .]
mine is great because theres lots of places to hook to with the little round bars.

One thing that is a must: allow the rear bar to be removable. Mine actually swings around and locks in, which rocks. A center support would be nice too, but it should also be removable.

[. . .]
another thing, build it so it sits on the bed rails, not inside them. mine has 1/4" angle on the rail, then the rack is welded to that. this distributes the weight much better than cheesy little legs that go to the bed floor.

I like the idea of adding little places for hooking into - never realized those little bars had any more than aesthetic purpose when I see them on people's trucks.

Why do you like to have the rear bar be removable? I assume it's because of wanting to put tall things in the bed - perhaps a fridge or something? You say yours swings out - does it come off completely too? That wouldn't be too hard to construct - a couple fabricator's bushing sets from Kert and some bolts w/ wingnuts and you'd be good to go... I like the idea!

I was planning on a bed-rail set up, but I'm glad you posted this. I didn't originally think of having this thing run the entire length of the bed rails - that's a great idea!

 

[Ten_Bucks]

Back in 2000 I used to work at the assembly plant where these truck racks are made:

Scott

 

[moneypit_K5]

Back in 2000 I used to work at the assembly plant where these truck racks are made:

Scott

Had one of those too. the rear bar was removable but you had to put it in the bed. It slid over the end of the main tubes, and stayed there with the help of two pins. Its a very bad thing when you forget to put the pins in- which I did once. lost the bar on the freeway, and then I was without.

not many places to tie on either.

I'll go out and get some pics of this one for ya.

 

[colbystephens]

I think the one that Ten Bucks posted is along the lines of what we're thinking. I like the idea of a swing-out rear-bar. Add a headache cover, cab cover and some ratchet straps and tie-down locations and I think we got the perfect rack!

 

[moneypit_K5]

 

[colbystephens]

thanks for the detail pics.