9 Best Truck Ladder Racks in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

Anyone with a truck can tell you how useful they are, but adding a ladder rack adds a whole new dimension to their utility. Despite their name, ladder racks are not exclusively for ladders—they can be used to transport camping gear, bikes, kayaks, beds, and nearly anything else too oversized for your truck bed.

For this article, we’ve scoured the web for the best truck ladder racks you can order today. Let’s check them out and learn how to choose a good ladder rack below.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

The 9 Best Truck Ladder Racks

1. AA-Racks X31 Truck Rack – Best Overall

Topping our list is the AA-Racks X31, the internet’s favorite ladder rack. It has a huge range of compatibility, working with any truck bed from 51” to 72”. Each bar supports 400 pounds for a total of 800 pounds, but we would not test it too much.

Best of all, this rack requires no drilling out of the box, but you can drill holes if you want extra support. However, it is a bit pricey.

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2. AA-Racks Universal Van Roof Rack – Best Value

We don’t all need the best of the best. Sometimes you just need a ladder rack to make a trip once in a while, and that’s where this ladder rack excels. It fits any truck with a cab between 35” to 57” wide but requires drilling holes in the roof.

For weather resistance and longevity, the alloy steel frame is galvanized and powder coated. For extra safety, the rack has a polyfoam gasket that provides extra support for the bars. Lastly, the rack is available in matte black or sandy black.

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3. Yakima Overhaul HD

Yakima is a trusted name in camping gear, and its lightweight aluminum ladder rack is built to last. With up to 500 pounds of on-road capacity and 300 pounds off-road, this heavy-duty ladder rack fits most trucks out of the box, but some may require specialized accessories.

This rack does require drilling, but that helps make it sturdier and eliminate abrasive wiggling. Weirdly, the frame doesn’t include the crossbar, which is a hassle. Once fully assembled, though, you’ll wonder why you didn’t buy this frame years ago.

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4. MAXXHAUL Adjustable Steel Pick Up Truck Ladder Utility Racks

For a no-drill ladder rack that fits on nearly all trucks, MaxxHaul has the rack for you. The adjustable width ranges from 52” to 71”, so you have less measuring and guesswork on your plate. If the all-steel construction isn’t sturdy enough for you, it has triangular gusset reinforcement to reinforce the corners.

Tying down isn’t ever an issue, either, with the integrated rectangular anchors on each crossbar. The supports tend to fill with water when it rains, so that’s why MaxxHaul added a pair of end caps to cover up that flaw.

The biggest con with this rack is that users note is that customer support is erratic when it comes to responding to problems

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5. APEX ATR-RACK Ladder Rack

This rack from Apex has a versatile universal design that fits most small, midsized, or large truck beds, so long as they’re less than 66.5” wide. The no-drill installation is hassle-free, relying on sturdy, easy-to-use clamps that you can take off at a whim.

For oversized or very long items, the rack includes four ladder stoppers so your cargo doesn’t slide around. The best parts are the light aluminum construction and 800-pound carrying capacity, but some reviews mention the rack edges aren’t deburred and can scratch your paint if you slide it around.

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6. Thule TracRac TracOne Truck Rack

Thule is another big name known for high-quality products that let you skip the hassle and get to the fun faster.  With no-drill installation, a high weight capacity, and a lightweight aluminum body, this TracOne Truck Rack seems like a dream. It also has built-in deflectors that reduce wind and road noise, which is handy if you remember they’re there.

We should note that the estimated 800 pounds Weight capacity is assuming your load is evenly distributed. Heavier loads in one spot might lower the rack’s capacity a bit. We’d recommend this rack for shorter truck beds when you need to transport ladders, kayaks, or other long items.

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7. MaxxHaul Heavy-Duty Ladder Rack

For when you don’t need a full ladder rack, single-sided ladder racks like this one from MaxxHaul are great choices. It doesn’t obscure your truck bed, making it a great companion for hauling long or oversized cargo while keeping your truck bed organized at the same time.

This rack is safer than others, too, allowing you to load and unload from the passenger side sidewalk rather than fighting traffic to untie your cargo. It has a low capacity, but it’s actually not bad for a single-sided rack.

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8. Ecotric Adjustable Ladder Rack

This Adjustable Ladder Rack has a greater weight capacity than anything reviewed thus far, and it’s not even very expensive. Ecotric’s heavy-duty ladder rack is extendable for short and long truck beds alike, with a powder coating that helps prevent scratching.

Best of all, it requires no drilling at all, but you can drill holes if you want a more permanent ladder rack. All of these elements come together to make the perfect ladder rack for heavy camping or even construction equipment hauling. Unfortunately, reviews are plagued with people saying the instructions are vague and difficult to understand.

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9. TMS Extendable Universal Pick-Up Truck Ladder Rack

This rack from TMS has a sporty low profile perfect for larger trucks, but it fits well on most truck beds. The two bars together offer up to 800 pounds of support for the heaviest pipe, lumber, or camping gear you can throw at it. The hooks in the corners are perfect supports for tie-downs, guaranteeing your cargo’s safety.

The biggest downsides with this product are that some reviews said their rack arrived with missing components and that the rack doesn’t extend as far as advertised on the product page.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Truck Ladder Racks

Ladder racks aren’t terribly complex, but they have a few things you should look out for. Weight capacity, aluminum vs. steel construction, compatibility, and drill vs. no-drill installation are the most important factors you need to be aware of. Let’s check them out below and why they matter.

When Do I Need a Ladder Rack?

As the name implies, ladder racks are commonly used to haul ladders, but that’s not all they can carry. Ladder racks can carry kayaks, camping gear, pipe, lumber, and nearly anything too long or wide for your truck’s bed.

A cheaper rack is probably better if you’re unsure what to look for. If you manage to wear it out, you know it’s worth investing in a more expensive rack.

Weight Capacity

A ladder rack’s weight capacity dictates how much stuff you can put on it, so it’s one of the most important variables to look at when buying one. While 500 pounds and under is fine for most light camping needs, you might want a heavier-duty rack for, say, running your own construction business.

The advertised weight capacity of a rack may not be perfectly accurate, so it’s best to not get too close to the maximum limit.

Aluminum vs. Steel Construction

Aluminum is lighter than steel and doesn’t rust, but aluminum racks are generally more expensive. In wet climates, we highly recommend investing in an aluminum rack over steel because rain and snow really do a number on steel racks. Even powder and galvanized coatings aren’t impervious, so be careful.

Compatibility

While some advertise themselves as universal, not all ladder racks will fit all trucks. Universal racks tend to have extendable crossbars, so your rack isn’t longer or shorter than the bed.

Another important note is that most ladder racks aren’t compatible with truck campers or tonneau covers. You’ll have to seek out a rack specifically made for your vehicle.

Installation

Racks requiring you to drill holes are more of a hassle upfront but offer greater long-term support than no-drill racks. No-drill racks, by contrast, are overall less sturdy, though how secure they are depends on how tight you install the rack.

Conclusion

Truck ladder racks are an invaluable tool if you camp a lot or need to transport oversized cargo, and they help keep your bed neat, too. The AA-Racks X31 Truck Rack is the best we reviewed, but the AA-Racks Universal Van Roof Rack is our favorite pick if you’re on a budget. Whether you’re camping, laying pipe, or building a house, we’re certain there’s a rack review on our list to satisfy your needs.

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Featured Image Credit: Stephen Reeves, Shutterstock