Aluminum Ladder Rack / Roof Rack For Enclosed Trailer That Is 8-1/2' Wide

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

Products Featured in This Question

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

$534.12

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

$775.05

Question:

My trailer is 8.5’ wide (102”), so the rack will be at full extension. Is the PF69VR still solid when stretched all the way out?

asked by: Devin

Expert Reply:

Absolutely, Devin - both the P&F Ladder racks like silver # PF69VR and black # PF79VR are designed specifically to span 6 ft up to 8-1/2 ft. Running it at max width doesn’t reduce stability, because the uprights support the crossbars on a full 6 inch × 2 inch mounting bracket that attaches directly to your trailer’s rail.

As long as you’re drilling through solid framing - not just the skin - it’ll stay solid even at full width.

If you’re carrying something long like extension ladders or kayaks, I can help you decide whether a second set of racks would give you better load spacing.

expert reply by: Andrew N

Luke K.

12/16/2025

I’ve got a 7 foot by 14 foot Continental Cargo trailer, and I’m thinking about running the ladder rack PF79VR at full width. Does extending the rack all the way out make the crossbar flex at all?

Andrew N.

12/16/2025

@LukeK you’ll be in good shape. The # PF79VR (and the silver # PF69VR) uses heavy-duty aluminum crossbars that are built specifically to span long distances without bending in the middle. All the load is supported at the uprights, not out in space, so flex isn’t an issue like it can be on lighter utility-trailer racks. And here’s the good news for your Continental Cargo - your trailer is 7 feet wide, so you’re not actually running the rack at full 8-1/2' extension. That means you’ll have even more rigidity than the rack is engineered for at its maximum width. That said, it still wouldn't be an issue at 8-1/2' feet either; I was just letting you know you wouldn't be maxing out the width like you thought you would.