# 1
Erickson Truck Bed Ladder Rack - Side Mount - Steel - 250 lbs
I ordered this product hoping for something less involved than drilling through the bed like a normal latter rack. I wanted something I could eventually take off when work was done and repurpose the vehicle. The first issue, a minor one, was that I had to find and buy hex heads large enough to install the rack bolts. They are massive. A small pain to find which delayed installation. Once I started working and screwing the bolts, both of the bottom plates machining were off. The eyelets used to hold the bolts in place on the masts were at different widths from the bottom eyelets on the plates. Hoping for the best I screwed them as best I could because I didn't have time to order a new rack and install it. As I tried to tighten the bolts at the adequate height with out slippage occuring. Once it was tight, I realized I had bent the bed frame. The post I had at the rear of would require retightening the clamp periodically after taking a rubber mallet to scoot it back into place to keep it from falling over. I've long been finished with my job that requires a ladder rack so I have no need for it. I can't possibly sale it knowing the manufacturing defects. Maybe someone will need it in a pinch. I love the concept but poor machining did it in.
I bought this ladder rack to haul my canoe, which is hanging above my 2016 Nissan Frontier King Cab in the first picture. Since I have a tanneau cover and the Utili-Track system on the bed I had to trim 5/16" off the top of the block on the stop bolts to get them to fit between the rail and the top of the bed. If you don't have a tanneau cover these will fit the Frontiers 6 foot bed without any modifications at the very ends of the rail. I did add a 1/8" sheet of hard rubber to the foot of each rack for better grip to the bed, spaced a half inch from the edge to clear the curve in the bed. The Nissan bed has some indentations that will require a filler block for the foot to rest on near the tailgate. I had a 3/4" chunk of hard plastic that fit perfectly. What I like best about these ladder racks is that they are easy to install, after the initial set-up, and easy to remove. I didn't want anything that was permanently mounted or requiring holes to be drilled in the bed. These are exactly what I was looking for. I haven't taken the canoe out yet but I will have no worries with these racks. I highly recommend them.
# 2
DeeZee Customizable Truck Bed Ladder Rack with Tie-Downs - Side Mount - 200 lbs
Delivery was fast as usual. The installation does take a couple hours and is much easier with a second set of hands. I have a drop in bed liner on my F150 so I did have to do some cutting but my oscillating tool made that a quick modification. Make sure to use the no seize on the bolts so they don't heat up when cranking them into place. Lastly, there are NO drain holes in the bottom of the tubes and believe me they do fill with water and ice in cold temps. I drilled two 1/2 in. holes in the sides at the bottom so they can drain but if I realized there were no weep holes I would have drilled a hole in the bottom of each before installation. After drilling the hole, make sure to coat with a primer and some paint to prevent rusting. Other than what I encountered they will serve their purpose and seem good overall.
2021 Ram 1500I’ve been using this ladder rack for a year now and it has stood the test of time. I love the ability to remove the arms when I’m not using them so my tonneau cover can be closed. Highly recommended for the occasional need for a tough ladder rack.
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