lumber rack

[barrera]

hi i was wondering if anyone had any advice on a good lumber rack? i want a good heavy duty one but not sure whats good. thanks

 

[kennykenny]

System One. http://www.ladderracks.com/?gclid=CLiox5uo8JkCFdlM5QodBSUDRg I have a set of these on my work truck, they will hold a lot of weight. Kind of pricey but definately a quality product.

 

[OilPatch197]

I too am looking at a full sized ladder rack for my Ranger. Anyone got some Ideals? All I can find is $1,000+ for a aluminum rack, I would perfer steel.

The people in the ghetto build ladder racks out of wood. I would like somthing that would be durable as steel. Either that or a Heavy duty headace rack.

 

[kennykenny]

Don't assume that it is weak because its aluminum, it is all about the geometry of the design, and the less the racks weigh the more weight you can put on them. I have been using and abusing the racks on my GMC 2500 for 3 years now and they are not dented or bent in any place, and they carry hundreds and occasionally over a thousand pounds of materials and equipment on a regular basis.

 

[joldtown]

As a matter of fact I am in the process of building a canoe rack out of Uni-strut. I have done some research into the structural integrity of this stuff and the galvanized steel Uni-strut is pretty dang hard to bend. Price wise it is a whole lot cheaper than buying a prefab design. I hope to have it done sometime this weekend or next, so I will post some pics when I get it done. Look up Uni-strut's company site, and you should get an idea of what I'm getting at.

 

[barrera]

aluminum seems like it wouldnt be as strong as steel but ill give it a look. BTW how pricey is pricey? i cant seem to find the price?

 

[JohnnyU]

Just out of curiosity, where are you located?

 

[barrera]

Torrance, California

 

[OilPatch197]

As a matter of fact I am in the process of building a canoe rack out of Uni-strut. I have done some research into the structural integrity of this stuff and the galvanized steel Uni-strut is pretty dang hard to bend. Price wise it is a whole lot cheaper than buying a prefab design.

Hey Hey, I like this! Do you know of a good supplier of this stuff? I can't seem to find anywhere that has it, or can get it in small orders. Do you think any big box stores can get it?

 

[joldtown]

The big box stores I've searched do not carry it. I found mine at a local electrical supply house. I have yet to build mine due to the crappy weather we are having. Along with the Uni-strut they make all the 90 degree brackets that are two bolt per side applications verses just a piece of angle iron bent. They also have rubber end caps to finish the job. Truly if you are looking for a rack, the applications with this stuff are endless. I plan on using the slots in the strut for things like fishing rod holders to tie down points for a "tarp tent" for when I go to places that I can drive up to and camp.

 

[OilPatch197]

The big box stores I've searched do not carry it. I found mine at a local electrical supply house. I have yet to build mine due to the crappy weather we are having. Along with the Uni-strut they make all the 90 degree brackets that are two bolt per side applications verses just a piece of angle iron bent. They also have rubber end caps to finish the job. Truly if you are looking for a rack, the applications with this stuff are endless. I plan on using the slots in the strut for things like fishing rod holders to tie down points for a "tarp tent" for when I go to places that I can drive up to and camp.

We got a local Kirby Risk, they don't sell the brand uni-strut, they sell the steel variety of "Channel/Strut". The U-Channel is sold by the foot in boxes of ten!

The brand Kirby/Risk sells is the COOPER B-LINE, but it's for "metal framing" can you recomend another supply house, there might be a store in my neighborhood, or close by.

The question is how this fairly thin COOPER B-LINE 12 GAUGE will last if it gets rusty? Vs. solid pipe. I'm thinking the mantaince factor of a Uni-strut rack will be low at first, but might be a PAIN down the road when you got to paint it.

I know some sort of similar product out there made of aluminum contruction(like a 3" square aluminum rod with T-slots milled in all four sides and all four corners and excess aluminum removed, it's extruded aluminum)

 

[Shran]

We get unistrut from either Crescent Electric Supply or Border States Electric. I don't know if you have either around where you live. It's also known as super strut around here.

 

[chittybangbang]

Try this.I've had this brand for my trucks for years. When I bought my last rack in 2002(full size van) it was 450 for stainless steel. My advice go for the aluminum or stainless steel racks.You're still looking at 400-600 range.Also look up ebay or craigslist for racks.
Good luck

 

[joldtown]

They do make the struts in stainless, but I haven't looked at grades. The only reason I'm not going for aluminum or stainless is due to the fact that I have very close connections to a powder coating/ metal finishing shop.
The best advice is to try "true contractor" supply houses. Or email Uni-strut directly to find a supplier.