I'm thinking about making a ladder rack. Tho I'll probably never carry a ladder up there. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I plan to carry lumber, long stuff, bikes, poles, whatever. Nothing real heavy, but I would like it strong enough to stand on.

Any pointers, tips, suggestions? Anyone made one for your truck? Seen any web sites about someone making the them? I'm looking for ideas. I have a bunch of thoughts but maybe you have better ideas. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Ok, I found this: http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/4Runner/tech/rack_mounts/
I like it, but I wonder how strong it is. Think my fiberglass cap will support someone standing on a roof rack like this? Or should I just build the rack so the supports come down the side of the cap and mount under the cap, on the sides of the bed?

My suggestion would be to have a rack that will extend down to the top of the bed, and the canopy fits inside it. I have see several of these, but I do not know who makes them. The down side is that the rack sticks out from the bed a couple of inches on each side. My concern of putting a rack on top of the canopy, is that over time the shifting of the weight (on the rack) could cause stress cracks in the canopy. I am looking at putting a rack on my canopy (Yakima), but it will only be for hauling a canoe or just a couple of light long sticks of wood. (I'm tired of sticking 10'-12' stuff through my slider <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />)

Couple of thoughts to my above post:
http://www.haulerracks.com/html/cap_camper_racks.html#c300
http://www.pickupspecialties.com/Ladder_racks/Crosstread/universal_over_the_cab_truck_rack.htm
http://www.lynnladder.com/truck/truck031.htm

This might give you some decent visuals. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

[quote] I am looking at putting a rack on my canopy (Yakima),

I was looking at the same thing for my work truck canopy. It's an oddball by Cargo Body with the middle higher then the sides. I thought about using the rails and then the appropriate risers and cross pieces. I have not found anyone that carries the rails in stock so I was wondering if you had seen them and if they have multiple mounting bolts or holes to mount to the canopy, or just one at each end? It would be nice to distribute the load over several mounts to keep the fiberglass from cracking.

I've got Yakima racks on my second truck/camper shell combo (as well as three other vehicles). I've bolted the "top loader" to fiberglass shells in both cases and they have been bombproof, but placement and how you attach them matter. Put the top loaders near the corners ("knuckles") and back the loaders up with big washers/plates. I frequently carry several boats (canoes, kayaks, c-1's, as many as 5 boats at once) and have toted a good bit of lumber (up to 4 sheets 1/2" plywood) - easily 200#.

I've got a few pictures here - scroll down to see what I did with the shell and what I would *not* do again on the cab :

http://bookwoman.net/scott/truck/


Thule has similar, but the bars are *maybe* less stout - I've just got a lot invested in Yakima accessories.

The towers are what I was looking at also. You say you would favor the tracks over the individual mounts. Just because of the better weight distribution? Also, did you just glop on the RV sealant or how did you waterproof the holes? Much rain here.

Sorry, I can see how that was unclear - if I was going to do things again *on the cab* I'd go with the track. I think that would do a better job distributing the load on the thin sheet metal and it is adjustable.

On the shell, I'm happy with the "top loaders" - they are bomber*, though not adjustable. I've got one mount in each corner, putting the bars at about 5 1/2' apart. The adjustability would come in handy for using other accessories we have - roof top box, bike carriers - that need the bars closer together (3'). However the "towers" that work with the tracks are not as tall. The 1A (? rain gutter mount) towers are pretty tall and you can add a spacer making them even taller if need be. The height of the tower can matter when you are carrying a canoe - the rocker can bring the ends of the boat (esp the bow) pretty close to the roof. When I carry a canoe, I have to use a bar over the cab.

[*bomber as far as loading up, I'm not sure I trust my shell enough to stand on it. The fiberglass where I drilled for the mounts is about 1/4" thick - the rest I am not sure of.]

As for sealing the holes, the kit I used on the cab came with a small tube of silicone sealant - I glopped that on and added a little extra silicone caulk. When I bolted on the top loaders over the shell, I used either silicone caulk or Goop, can't remember. I've never had a leak through the rack mounts.

Clear as mud?