DIY Easy to Build Ladder Rack for Under $10 detailed version

This is a super easy project made from a 2x4 and 10 wood screws any skill level should be able to build this Ladder Rack.
LInk to my Clamp It JIg video
• Shopmade Clamp It Jig ...
Link to Ron Paulk's Shim Cutter
• TABLE SAW SHIM JIG: TO...

[@albertdenotter2697]

I built this in about 30 minutes so I could pick up a 30’ extension ladder. The ladder was about 70 miles from home. Thank you, It worked perfectly

[@thomrider]

Glad to help. I sold the ones I made for $20 when I didn’t need them anymore. Just paint them black and they look pretty good. I would estimate they will easily hold 250 pounds

[@ThePunderfulCounselor]

This is certainly the best detailed video for this. As a painter, I can’t wait to implement this on my truck.

[@thomrider]

Thank you.

[@planesandbikes7353]

Just built this unit. thanks! it feels more solid than it looks in the video, and I feel confident carrying a HD 32 footer on it. thanks! My Tundra has 2 3/8 in stake holes and I kept it low just an inch or two above the roof level.

[@MrGreenejr100]

Thanks for this!! I have been carrying 16 ft pieces of lumber in my short bed pickup and it has been scary!!! This is ladder holder is perfect!! It is sturdy and very easy to remove. Thanks!!!

[@thomrider]

Glad to help

[@wayne6438]

Thanks - much appreciated. Used your design to build the racks. Traveled about 60 miles - great solution if you only occasionally need a ladder rack.

[@roryjones1197]

This worked Wonderfully for me. I even added a 1x6 cross memeber on the outside top connecting the 2 for stability. Love it !! Thanks a Lot

[@thomrider]

Thank you for watching and good upgrade.

[@throwball2248]

Beautiful!! This is actually what I need. You saved me a ton of money. Thanks.

[@thomrider]

Thank you for watching

[@wickblackwell5218]

I love this and was looking everywhere to buy one but I will just make one. Thanks

[@jarnney1980]

Great build. Made a set for my 91 Ranger! Thank you!

[@carlmetzger3971]

Very smart! I like the whole process. I think I'll make one for myself. Thanks a lot! Keep building brother!!

[@thomrider]

Thank you for the kind comments. It’s a great low cost way to carry a ladder or a kayak or just long boards when you don’t carry them everyday.

[@frankbullitt4556]

Nice work.

[@stayinthemoment18]

I like the simplicity of your work. Well done. I'd like to do the same to hold my canoe but it's heavier than the ladder and wider so I might have to re think it. Thanks for posting!

[@thomrider]

You could make a rack that goes to the other side so you would have a lot of support. I estimate my rack could hold about 150 lbs.

[@stayinthemoment18]

@@thomrider Exactly what I'll do

[@martinruckschlos3897]

Just did this. Worked out perfectly Thank you

[@thomrider]

Glad I could help

[@josh124c]

I got a great trick for that black thumb nail Peach nail polish!!!

[@thomrider]

I’ll remember that one. Thank you for watching

[@payasso666]

I'm going to use this as a template to make a canoe/kayak carrier.. Thanks..

[@thomrider]

Great, thanks for watching.

[@mcelfreshiii]

Just what I was looking for. Going to build this rack this weekend. Thanks.

[@thomrider]

Thank you for watching. You really like it. Good coat of black paint and no one can really tell it’s homemade. Or paint it to match your truck.

[@brokentinsel]

This is great. I'm taking on some clients that will require an extension ladder but I hate the idea of having a rack on my truck all the time. It's a F150 short bed similar to the one in your video. This is exactly what I am looking for. Thanks

[@thomrider]

Thanks for watching and it is a great solution.

[@hre2bviolent107]

Gonna do something like this for a kayak but I want it a bit stronger

[@ooeybc]

Nice! I'm thinking the same principles could be used to make full-width four-point ladder racks (one front and one back).

[@thomrider]

Sure that Would work.

[@garygrant9117]

thanks for the great vid helped me get a 40 footer where it needed to be and finished the job with minimal assistance.#mansplain=money

[@thomrider]

Glad my video inspired you to save money and make it yourself

[@jeffhesse8415]

Nice and easy for temporary uses! Just subscribed! Looking forward to viewing more of your videos.

[@thomrider]

Thank you for watching and subscribing

[@ThaoNguyen-qq8zg]

Clever I saw this video on my feed after I bought a rack lol

[@thomrider]

Now you can make one for the other side if you need it. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@fastvettes]

Great video. Was thinking of a “4 post” version fir canoes, etc. but am going to start with this for a fiberglass 28ft ladder (60# ??) only. But want to be able to use these 2 verts plus 2 more, with longer cross pieces for 4 post version if/when needed. I like the shim idea but will still use safety straps or chains, and hooks to underside of side rails.

[@thomrider]

You could make them to interlock when using all 4.

[@mattescoto2882]

I love RIGID

[@thomrider]

Thank you for watching

[@ajsbrushworksllc8348]

I was about to spend a couple hundred dollars for one that's drilled into my truck. This is far better, and if it gets jacked up with paint, no biggie.

[@thomrider]

Glad my video helped. Thank you for watching.

[@creativeone2656]

Love this project

[@thomrider]

Thank you for watching

[@yorkrojas1452]

Great Job!!

[@thomrider]

Thank you for watching

[@millroyboy07]

Thanks for the video, brother.

[@thomrider]

Thank you for watching I appreciate the comment.

[@bnjmnalan]

Great idea and video, just what I need today!. I'm assuming you'r using 2x4 x 8 foot lumber? You didn't mention the length you used. I'll figure it out by adding the other measurements you mention in the video. Please consider listing your lengths and other items in the description so we don't have to go back through the video, and write down details.

[@thomrider]

Thank you for watching and the tips. I will try and do that next time. But I used just 2 - 2x4x8s.

[@djexclusivee]

Great innovation but keep your eye on it because if it starts to rot away or come undone could be a huge hazard on road

[@thomrider]

Thank you. I have painted them with rustoleum paint and I only use them when I need to haul a ladder. I now have a truck cap on my truck with a built in ladder rack so these are not being used. I might just sell them for what I have in them which is around $20 paint was not cheap. I also added a couple of flip up stops to keep the ladders from being able to shift.

[@frankrodriguez1977]

Awesome and simple design. And to think I almost bought one because I need to pick up some 16ft baseboard. I will definitely buil9. Thanks Also subd. 👍

[@thomrider]

Thank you for watching and subscribing. These will work great for 16 foot baseboards and you can use clamps to hold the boards in place or design a set for carrying boards with a homemade hold down.

[@superguy4231]

This works for canoes too btw

[@thomrider]

That’s a good use for them too.

[@robertperkins9270]

Thanks for this video.

[@thomrider]

Thanks for watching I really appreciate it

[@stevem8128]

Nice thank you so much

[@thomrider]

Thank you for watching

[@danielf7130]

I’m definitely going to make this but doesn’t a 2x4 fit right into the stake pockets? Why cut a 1 1/2”x 8” out of the 2x4?

[@thomrider]

That’s what my truck needed. Most truck are 1-1/2x1-1/2 square holes.

[@danielf7130]

Gotcha! Thank you!

[@elsuperpollo2273]

I can build one of these for a canoe or kayak too right?

[@thomrider]

Yes they would hold the weight.

[@ne2i]

Super easy!

[@thomrider]

ne2i yes they are. Thanks for watching

[@manchildrc]

Thank you for the video. What would you estimate to be the weight capacity. I am going to build one for the one time use of transporting a 6×6×18. Estimated weight of the 6x is 70lbs.

[@thomrider]

Shane Pratt I would say they would hold 150 to 200 pounds.

[@franktapia1986]

Add the wind and speed you going and keep in mind I just a 2x4 cut it in half that is holding

[@al52269]

Great video thanks for sharing. New subscriber here

[@thomrider]

Thank you for watching and subscribing

[@WallyJ2K]

I got mine built but they lean toward the inside of the truck. Used shins on 2 sides but they still lean a lot. The stake pocket space in the bed rail is bigger than the hole on top so there is a lot of wiggle room for the board to move back and forth. 2006 Ford F-150 Supercrew. Any ideas?

[@thomrider]

You might need a little bigger tenon. Then use wedges. Or your stake holes are not straight up and down. Unlikely but possible.

[@WallyJ2K]

@@thomrider The tenon is the size of the hole. It can't be longer or it hits wires down in the pocket. The pocket space creates the wiggle room. The pocket is bigger than the hole, so there is a lot of room for the tenon to move around, even after shimming. It doesn't just lean, it can move back and forth, so not a matter of being straight up and down. The hole for the tenon, before it hits the larger open space is only about 1/4 inch deep. Not much to hold it straight up and down.

[@thomrider]

Not sure what you can do about that. Unless you can put something down inside to keep it from moving. That’s a tough one.

[@WallyJ2K]

@@thomrider That makes sense. Thanks again for the video anyway!

[@Byzkit]

Might want to use pressure treated wood. Unless you're going to treat the wood, it'll rot real fast with exposure to the elements

[@thomrider]

I put two coats of black outdoor enamel paint on them they will hold up for a while. Nice thing is they are super easy to make replacements.

[@WallyJ2K]

Awesome video! How are these holding up over time?

[@thomrider]

They hold up well. I don’t leave them in when not hauling a ladder I also painted them black to help if I am in rain and make them look like metal ones. Most people don’t even notice.

[@WallyJ2K]

@@thomrider Thanks! I was thinking about painting mine to help them last longer under the weather. Being able to remove them is great too! I run a pressure washing company and need a rack on only one side of my truck. This is perfect! Thanks again!

[@thomrider]

Glad I could help

[@WallyJ2K]

@@thomrider You certainly did. Just built mine today! Thanks again!

[@pierluigicolotto9570]

Woodglut has a lot of plans to choose from.

[@willmccargish945]

How would this work for a kayak?

[@thomrider]

Depends on the weight. I would think my design could hold 125lbs. You would just need to make yours to fit the kayak.

[@jn3750]

I just have a hacksaw. How do i cut the wedge?

[@thomrider]

45 degrees. I would go purchase a cheap wood hand saw, the hack saw blade would take forever.

[@jimryan9536]

Just go buy a pack of shims for 2 dollars

[@nebraskanman2023]

this must be old because lumber ain't that cheap anymore

[@thomrider]

True but still less expensive than store bought metal ones

[@bbenezra1169]

For $90.- you can get a metal ladder rack from Northern tools that is very safe and sturdy. Using pinewood is not safe the wood will rot and you will have an accident on the road. The last thing you want to see is your ladder falls under your truck and hit someone else that is driving behind you.

[@thomrider]

This is not intended to be kept on the truck. This is for the times you just need it for a quick haul of a ladder or some long lumber. The ones your talking about from northern tool have to be drill in permanently. They do not go in the stake holes. Hope I cleared up any confusion.

[@marksministry]

its blasphemy to use any hand saws while using a table saw😂

[@thomrider]

Whatever makes the cuts 🙂