What Ladder Rack Will Work Transporting Kayaks on My 2020 Ford Ranger?  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

Since your Gator FX hard folding cover leaves your truck bed's stake pockets open, you will be allowed to mount a stake-mounted ladder rack into the truck with your cover. If you have a 5-foot bed on your 2020 Ford Ranger, I recommend the Adarac Pro Series Custom Truck Bed Ladder Rack # A36ZR. The Adarac Pro Series is great because the bases on the ladder rack do not slant inward, which will make it easy to open up your Gator FX cover without rubbing against the rack. In addition, you can purchase additional accessories such as a tie-down kit # A4000882 and load stops # A4000880 to make sure your cargo is secure on the vehicle. If you need straps to go with the tie-down kit, I recommend the ProGrip Cam Buckle Tie-Down Straps - S-Hooks and Snap Hooks # 317-412020

However, if you have a 6-foot bed on your 2020 Ford Ranger, there is not a straight ladder rack base model available for that particular size bed. With that being said, I recommend the Adarac Aluminum Series Custom Truck Bed Ladder Rack # A59ZR. With the Aluminum Series, you will still be able to use your tonneau cover, but you will have to move the rear crossbar/base forward when you fold the back panels and then move the crossbar/base back to the rear of the truck bed when opening the front panel. Just like the Pro Series, you can purchase additional accessories such as a tie-down kit # A4000882 and load stops # A4000880 to make sure your cargo is secure on the vehicle. If you need straps to go with the tie-down kit, I recommend the ProGrip Cam Buckle Tie-Down Straps - S-Hooks and Snap Hooks # 317-412020.

For a kayak carrier that will work with both ladder racks, I recommend the Yakima JayLow Kayak Carrier w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style or Post Style # Y04073. With the JayLow, you will be able to carry 2 kayaks in the vertical position on the crossbars of both ladder racks. If you plan to carry a second kayak, you will need the Yakima Bow/Stern Tie-Down Ropes # Y04031 as well as the Yakima Hood Anchors # Y07416. For additional theft-deterrence, I recommend the Yakima Same Key System (SKS) Lock Cores # Y07202.

expert reply by: Bob C

1