Need some help with a headache rack

[7018fiend]

I have a headache rack built, but I don't know what to use to brace it without running something down the full length of the bed rails on my truck. Any ideas?

[sparky666]

You can use 2" angle iron on top ,there are many other ways to secure your rack, my advise is to clone any existing rack you like, will be your preference and not someones idea

[go2building]

I have a headache rack built, but I don't know what to use to brace it without running something down the full length of the bed rails on my truck. Any ideas?

Are you talking about a ladder rack, if so what weight is going on it, do you have bed rail pockets that you can use.

[Bistineau]

Are you talking about a ladder rack, if so what weight is going on it, do you have bed rail pockets that you can use.

This would be my question, too. Is it one that stands behind the cab only, or extends from the windsheild to the tailgate? The full length type is a ladder rack, or like I call mine a truck rack. The one that stands behind the cab only is a headache rack, some folks try to use the terms interchangably, that's why the question on what you have.

[go2building]

Are you talking about a ladder rack, if so what weight is going on it, do you have bed rail pockets that you can use.

This would be my question, too. Is it one that stands behind the cab only, or extends from the windsheild to the tailgate? The full length type is a ladder rack, or like I call mine a truck rack. The one that stands behind the cab only is a headache rack, some folks try to use the terms interchangeably, that's why the question on what you have.

Your saying like the brand name Back Rack, didn't know that was the term. If so what about a roll bar design look and bolt into bed rail pockets[/I]

[Bistineau]

Your saying like the brand name Back Rack, didn't know that was the term. If so what about a roll bar design look and bolt into bed rail pockets[/I]

No I'm saying one like I Built for my truck. I don't really care for the manufactured commercial ones. I guess it's cause I've seen more of the welded type, and they just seem stronger and better made than the kind you buy that an be configured to fit several makes of truck. This is my truck rack, it is 13' 6" long, and can easily carry 20' joints of steel. It is 1.25x1/8" sq. tubing. I think if it were put on a 1 ton dually, it could hold more weight than you could safely drive down the road with, unless there was considerable weight in the floor of the bed to counteract it. But then the truck would be at or over it's max cargo capacity. This IS a truck rack, though some have tryed to call it a head ache rack.

[go2building]

Just trying to compare back rack to headache bar for the terminology. My truck rack is built of 1.5 X 1.5 X 3/6 tube and sits on 3 X 3 X 3/16 angle frame bolted to bed rail with welder suspended off the bottom of the bed using frame of the rack. I have loaded 500# beams on it, no problem.

[7018fiend]

About 1.5' of 2" angle iron with a 4-7" flat bar brace for stability

[Bistineau]

About 1.5' of 2" angle iron with a 4-7" flat bar brace for stability

That should do the trick, and maybe another between these across the front of the bed all welded together. Put a piece of neoprene about 1.5"x1/4' under the side pieces to absorb vibrations and protect the bedrails. But if you ran the angle iron the full length of the bedrails you could add tie down points for your dirt bike and gear, or run a piece of 1/2" solid round stock about 1 1/2" above the bed rail angle iron for this purpose, then you could put your straps anywhere along the bed.

[7018fiend]

That should do the trick, and maybe another between these across the front of the bed all welded together. Put a piece of neoprene about 1.5"x1/4' under the side pieces to absorb vibrations and protect the bedrails. But if you ran the angle iron the full length of the bedrails you could add tie down points for your dirt bike and gear, or run a piece of 1/2" solid round stock about 1 1/2" above the bed rail angle iron for this purpose, then you could put your straps anywhere along the bed.

Thats true. I might make them a little longer and weld some U-bolts on. Thanks!