How To Add Ladder Rack On Cargo Trailer Roof Without Rain Gutters

Updated 12/16/2025 | Published 12/02/2025

Products Featured in This Question

P&F Enclosed Trailer Ladder Rack for 6' to 8-1/2' Wide Trailers - Aluminum - Silver

$546.15

P&F Enclosed Trailer Ladder Rack for 6' to 8-1/2' Wide Trailers - Aluminum - Black

$766.60

Question:

Do I need rain gutters like some other racks require, or can PF69VR bolt straight to the trailer skin?

asked by: Manuel

Expert Reply:

Manuel, great question, but no you don't need rain gutters. Unlike older ladder racks that clamp to rain gutters, the # PF69VR (silver) and # PF79VR (black) bolt directly to your top rails roof. Each mounting bracket gives you a 2 inch × 6 inch flat pad to drill through, with the upright welded 2 inches inboard so the load sits nicely centered on your rail.

No gutters needed - just line up that bracket on your rail, drill your holes, and bolt through using hardware that matches your trailer’s structure.

If you can share a picture of your rail, I’ll help identify the strongest mounting spots.

expert reply by: Andrew N

Manuel

12/16/2025

my top rail is only about 1 inch tall. Will that 6" × 2" bracket still land correctly, or do I need a spacer?

Andrew N.

12/16/2025

@Manuel a shallow rail like that is totally fine. The 6" × 2" mounting pad is meant to sit on the flat surface of the rail, and you drill through into whatever framing runs behind it. You don’t need a spacer as long as you're anchoring into solid structure and not just the skin.