ProMaster/Transit/Sprinter Mid Roof Van Drop Down Ladder Rack
Anyone own one of these? They're cheap and they can hold A frame ladders.
Anyone own one of these? They're cheap and they can hold A frame ladders.
alarmist
ladder rack options
3 reading
Just installed a Prime Design double drop down. Nice rack. How I went the last ten years without one of these is the real mystery. Really takes all the BS out of getting ladders on a tall van. Goes together fairly easy. I wanted 5' crossbar spacing and got the 4' mid tubes (instead of the 3' tubes I needed) so I had to shorten/re-drill them. That there is more fun than it looks. Otherwise it was a straight bolt up affair. I also ordered it with an extra set of double height clamps and might stack a couple ladders on one side. Decisions, decisions...
It uses the three prethreaded holes on each side. As delivered it will carry up to a 10' step. You can get extended slides if you need to haul a longer step. Extension ladders up to 28' are supported. I did a huge amount of calling and emailing to make certain I got what I needed. Even then I had to modify the center rotation tubes to accommodate my 7' step. This is a drawing of the rack for the mid roof 130:
http://pdtechcomm.com/us/wp-content/uploads/documents/HRR-E-FT22B_OVR.pdf
Buying one of these is like ordering a Transit. The dealers are clueless, the manufacturer's website is incomplete, and the product is excellent.
Edit: Overall cost with the extra clamps and the conduit tube was $2200. The rack itself is around $1900.
http://pdtechcomm.com/us/wp-content/uploads/documents/HRR-E-FT22B_OVR.pdf
Buying one of these is like ordering a Transit. The dealers are clueless, the manufacturer's website is incomplete, and the product is excellent.
Edit: Overall cost with the extra clamps and the conduit tube was $2200. The rack itself is around $1900.
Nothing there, sorry. The rails sit directly over the pre-threaded holes on 1.5" square by 1/4" thick metal spacers which in turn rest on thin rubber pads of the same dimensions. I researched that as well, since I already have a Yakima tube rack. Thule and Yakima sell rail emulators you could modify to fit the transit for use with a removable rack. Rackit and REI sell them, among others. If you want a proper cargo rack, get the Prime Design Alurack. I've seen one of those in person. Gorgeous. I wanted to have my way with it right there in the warehouse. I was temped to get one but the allure of a purpose built ladder rack was too great, and having one now, I can't imagine living without it. I have other vans if I need to bring home something too huge to fit in the Transit.
Thanks, Thule and Yakima are TBD for Transit-specific base plates at this point:
http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/accessories-add-ons/10706-racks-removable-kayaks-bikes-etc.html
http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/accessories-add-ons/10706-racks-removable-kayaks-bikes-etc.html
A year after job one and they don't support the most popular van in the country? Seriously? Time to move on.
That rack is a lot like my weatherguard. Can it be modified to fit a 14' a frame ladder? I modified mine to fit the 14. Had to re drill the legs that hold the rear of the ladder on the rack. I was looking at the cheaper drop downs and they can only accommodate a 27" spread on the back.
They make a wider rear slide that will accommodate up to a 15' I believe. My 10' fits the standard rack with room to spare. The Weatherguard is essentially the same rack, the Masterack is exactly the same rack.
Yes, went with Prime Design. Just seemed like a nicer rack, plus it's aluminum and weighs half as much as the steel Kargo Master. THey also have a bunch of options which make it more flexible. Ask weatherguard if they'll sell you just the mounting bits.
Inlad agrees with Prime Design. I was told the same. 75# a side. Might depend on the crossbar spacing though. The 75 number was for 6' spacing. You need 8' to handle a 40' step I believe. Call Prime Design.
I have the PrimeDesign rack as well. It's the best **** let down rack I've even seen and used! You can load and unload in about 8 seconds. I will say it's limited to 10' step ladders as I loaded a 14' on there and I def assisted it up and down and also used a ratchet strap to secure while up. Other than that extension ladders all day and the thing is just amazing with the mid roof! Every job site I watch GC's jaws drop in awe on how fast I can get to my ladder and reload it in seconds flat.
Prime design is definitely more catered to the extension ladder and I can assure it maxes out at 10' for steps. Width more than length determines how much (obviously weight is a factor) but if the ladder hangs past the side bar it will throw off the fulcrum pivot point and thus negate the actual weight max
I've been trying to find the max payload for the PrimeDesign and 75#s seems about right. I've had more weight than that on there, but you have to "assist" the mechanism up and down, which I won't recommend nor ever do again! 14' Werner orange step def pushed her past that limit! Nothing broke, thank God! If I had more hands that night, I would've loaded it on the flat side of the rack and not used the let down portion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2tqV4Fi4_g
Video of the PrimeDesign in action. If you needed any proof... Mine has at least 400 ups and downs so far with weathering... Still looks new and acts like I just bought it. I was leaning originally to the WeatherGuard rack, but my upfitter showed me this rack for less $$$ and less weight and ****, it was too **** awesome to not buy. If you're toting heavy big boy ladders, you may want to check with PrimeDesign before installing/purchasing.
Video of the PrimeDesign in action. If you needed any proof... Mine has at least 400 ups and downs so far with weathering... Still looks new and acts like I just bought it. I was leaning originally to the WeatherGuard rack, but my upfitter showed me this rack for less $$$ and less weight and ****, it was too **** awesome to not buy. If you're toting heavy big boy ladders, you may want to check with PrimeDesign before installing/purchasing.
Prime design customer service is top notch. I called them about a leaking cylinder, the guy only wanted the serial number off it, then sent me two new ones just in case the other one started leaking.
I was told by the company whom I bought my prime design rack from that all drop down racks are manufactured by prime design.
Not all. Prime design and Masterack are the same rack. I think the Weatherguard is also made by Prime Design. Loadsrite (Adrian Steel), Kargomaster, and others are not.
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