Maintaining Your Ute Ladder Rack: Top 3 Tips to Make it Go the Distance

A Ute Ladder Rack can be a real game-changer when it comes to transporting equipment and tools between jobs. With one installed, you can load long items onto your Ute’s roof and transport them safely- without having to worry about something falling off mid-journey.

How to Maintain Your Ute Ladder Rack

Whether you’ve just had a ladder rack installed or are thinking about having one installed, there’s a few maintenance tips worth noting if you want to get the most out of your new add-on:

1. Regular Inspection

Tradie vehicles cop a fair bit of wear and tear on the job, being used day in and day out to transport items to various work sites. With that said, make sure to keep an eye out for structural damage and ensure that mounting bolts that may need tightening are checked regularly. At Great Racks, we only use 316 grade stainless bolts and nyloc nuts so it’s unlikely that they will require any maintenance but it’s always good to check. If you identify minor issues early, you can have them repaired before they wreak greater havoc on the rest of your structure. 

2. Secure the Load

Always make sure to secure the load on top of your ladder rack properly. This is done best with the help of tie-down straps or ratchet straps, which are important for holding your items in place during transit. If your load extends past the front of the roof rack and is not rigid, it may bounce around as you’re driving. A great solution is a single post Y or double post H bar on the front of your vehicle to secure long items safely.

3. Avoid Overloading the Rack

Even though ladder racks are designed to carry heavier loads, overloading them will definitely put stress on your rack and potentially cause damage to your vehicle. Always consider the recommended weight limit for your ladder rack, and be mindful of how you load and secure your items. You should always evenly distribute the weight over the rack so pack your rack accordingly. We custom make our roof racks and part of the sales process involves working with the customer to come up with the best design to meet their needs.

Bottomline

Nothing adds functionality to a tradie vehicle like a roof rack. Better yet, you can use it for more than just jobs- ladder racks are also great if you pursue hobbies like camping, kayaking, fishing and much more.

If you’re hoping to upgrade your vehicle with the best Ute ladder racks in Perth, we can help you out here at Great Racks. Our products are known for their exceptional quality and reliability, and a look at our online testimonials will tell you just the same.