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Avy Ladder Rack

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nomorefords

Full Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2005
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10
I need - not want - NEED a rack to carry a ladder on an Avalanche.

Does anyone know where I can get one.  I just need to carry one 28 (maybe a 32) foot ext. ladder.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

 
If you have a roof rack. That's good.
Then all you would need is one of those trailer hitch mounted canoe/ladder support.
 

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Thanks for responding.

But the bad news is I have to get into the bed more often than I would need to get to the ladder....


I am surprised there isn;t something readily available.  Google gave me one web site that looked promising but the site isn;t updated with any inof on the ladder rack.  It just has pictures of a bike rack.

That same verticle support coming off of a bike rack would work I would think.

Oh woe is me....
 
Ya have to make one...

use the rear grab handle mounting bolts as a place to mount to truck...

or get a little giant ladder... hehehe
 
I have a little giant...

But I need a 28-32...  If you know little giants you know a ladder of that magnitude would weigh as much as the avalanche!

Ug....  I am gonna be stuck buying a four door pu with an 8' bed.   

Still a nice chevy but the Av is just the coolest looking truck better. 

Chicks dig the Av!
 
There is a guy on here who has a custom rack over his bed panels which holds his spare tire....

I have a bike rack mount that goes across bed...

585860MVC-491F.JPG


I am sure between these two you could make something.
 
I've been thinking about this...I may need one in the future. I'm going to start out with a similar rack pictured above, but instead of the crossbar pictured I'm going to use T-slot framing from 8020.net. Very cool stuff. Then I'll bolt on some vertical pieces to reach above the cab. This is where you could put the ladder rack.

Check out:
80/20 Inc.
They also have a "garage sale" store on ebay where they sell some cheaper stuff. That's where I'll get my stuff... I"ll try to draw it out and post my plans. First I gotta buile my bedslide...Too many mods, not enough time...or money :(

Moderator corrected weblink
 
The head-scratching part of adding a ladder rack for me is how to deal with the top-box lids.  Unfortunately (and for no good reason that I see), the lids swing up and over the rear grab handles, making it pretty tough to do the obvious thing and bolt on a vertical support in the same location at the grab handle (if you still want to access your storage).  ???
 
Good point, Guess the vertical parts would have to be moved inward a bit to clear the bin covers. Or cut the the tail off of the bin cover and just bolt that in place...if that makes sense.
 
In Lieu of 8020 check out:

http://www.maytec.de/mainframe_e.htm
better product
more options
Think right now it is less price.

I know a company that is distributor
 
Got my parts from 8020 Garage Sale. Time to build... I'm just doing the bike rack first, but when I'm done I'll have a good idea of a ladder rack. Bad news-won't be able to start until next week! Going to the beach this weekend.
 
So I got the bike rack done (just have to buy the fork mount tomorrow) but I can't find my camera right now. Hopefully the wife knows where it is...I'll post picks tomorrow.

While I was working on it I figured out a way to fix the saddle bag doors opening over the grab handles. I didn't need to do it (yet) but if you can cut the tail off (the part that goes over the grab handle. Then remove the saddle bag to get under it so you can screw through the plastic under the tail piece, and through a shim (to hold the tail piece level) and into the tail piece.
 
ygmn said:
There is a guy on here who has a custom rack over his bed panels which holds his spare tire....

I have a bike rack mount that goes across bed...

585860MVC-491F.JPG


I am sure between these two you could make something.
Click to expand...

it's a little late, but the avy your reffering to is SRFNSNO's avy!! nice one too!!
 
So here's picks of my bed rack. Made of 8020 aluminum extrisions and aluminum angle. It mounts to the grab handles in the back and in one existing and one drilled hole at the front bar. So far it works great and looks good. One problem I'm not sure how to fix is that in order to get it off to haul something big I have to undo 16 screws. Oh well.

With the addition of some vertical pieces and a horizontal across the top, you'd have a pretty cool ladder rack.
 

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More picts of the mounting locations. Don't have the grab handles anymore...but I do have a long handle now!
 

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nomorefords said:
I need - not want - NEED a rack to carry a ladder on an Avalanche.

Does anyone know where I can get one.? ?I just need to carry one 28 (maybe a 32) foot ext. ladder.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Click to expand...

How about those funky fold up ladders.  You know, the kind that can be altered to sit on steps ans such?  Whats the longest they open up when extended.
 
gdoebs said:
So here's picks of my bed rack. Made of 8020 aluminum extrisions and aluminum angle. It mounts to the grab handles in the back and in one existing and one drilled hole at the front bar. So far it works great and looks good. One problem I'm not sure how to fix is that in order to get it off to haul something big I have to undo 16 screws. Oh well.

With the addition of some vertical pieces and a horizontal across the top, you'd have a pretty cool ladder rack.
Click to expand...
that's very nice work!
 
why not just add a roof rack and strap it down?  A single ladder wont weight more than 40-50 lbs.   Its easy to add it to a 06 or older model, the kit is approx $200. I'm having trouble finding a kit for my 07, seem GM doesnt make one.   Nobody can tell me if the <06 kit will fit either.

 
I know this thread is 6 months old now, but check out the "Truck Bed Extender" from Harbor Freight. Linky Thing Here.? I just picked one up for $40 from them.
 

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I have been banned from Harbor Freight..  My AV seems to fill up when I go there    :E: :E:
 
I've hauled the tallest ladder they have at home depot with my AV. 38' I think

step one, lay ladder on parking lot

step 2, park Av over lader

3, lift and tie ladder to hitch

4, lift and strap lader to front bumper

5, drive easy over bumps!!!!
 
I am a little late on this post (like most things in life :laugh:). Can you still open the tonneau/ site compartments with the rack on. I am looking at building the same sort of thing but it needs to be able to open all compartments with ease. Using to get 2X4s and for camping trips. And still be able to carry car seats and kids

cheers
 
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