Ladder/Lumber rack

[jnelson4x4taco]

I am considering building one of these since I have decided to get rid of my topper. It will be along the lines of the Rack-It style, just built by me. I want it to be strong enough so that if I had a sheet of plywood up there I could walk on it (200+/- lbs). Would I be ok mounting it to the bedsides or should I take it straight to the bed floor and sandwich the bed? I want it to be strong but I would prefer to have it go to the bedsides if possible, to keep the bed floor clear. I thought i heard somewhere that the commercially made racks have a 1000 lb capacity but i cant verify that. I was hoping some of you might have experience with this. Thanks

 

[siliconwombat]

Used to have a very simple one on my L200. Was just 1" box, two uprights and a crossbar. Was attached with a couple of screw in nuts to the plastic bed liner. It was really strong in compression but eventually failed when the load shifted from front to back. In use as a ladder/lumber rack and with the load secured fore and aft it would be plenty strong. To really upgrade find a strong point in the tub sides and bolt to it, in the corners would be a good bet if nothing else is immediately obvious.

Just re-read your post and when considering the mounting, you want it to carry 200lb. With four uprights (which would be sensible!) that gives 50lb per upright. Two bolts per leg gives 25lb per bolt in shear. Not a massive load really If you allow the legs to rest on the floor as well and have the bolts purely to hold it in place your laughing! :elkgrin:

 

[jnelson4x4taco]

you want it to carry 200lb. With four uprights (which would be sensible!) that gives 50lb per upright. Two bolts per leg gives 25lb per bolt in shear.

That makes sense, Ill buy Grade 8 as well, for the extra insurance. The 200 lbs wouldnt be up top when we're moving, just stationary to set up for some pics or something. I dont think im asking a lot of it to hold 200lbs. Has anyone done this before? Im having trouble finding pics of home made racks like this, but i want some other ideas.

 

[evldave]

My buddy has a ladder rack and when he bought it the rating was 1k #...I think it used 1-1/2" square box tubing.

Something similar, my roof rack uses 3/4" .065 wall square tubing, and I've had easy 200# on two crossbars with no deflection...and if your load is vertical, I imagine it will carry lots more than 200#...for horizontal loads, can't you just put in a cross-brace?

There are lots more structural-type people here that can help, peronally I've been thinking of building one myself and was going w/1-1/2" steel, seems like overkill (a good thing) but better safe than sorry.

 

[jnelson4x4taco]

Yes, I am sure Ill be nowhere near 1k lbs on it but as you said, better safe than sorry.

Ill probably build mine from 1" Sch. 40 steel since thats what my bender uses and I have a fair amount of experience welding it as well. The fact that it is pretty cheap doesnt hurt either, I expect the whole project to be about $75. The crappiest one I found on craigslist was even $175 and it needed to be completely ground down, new paint, hardware and a few fixed welds. I may start this weekend, if so, ill post pics.