I have a '99 scab. I'm considering building an ATV rack that will mount to the bed rails. I'd like to be able to haul 2 large ATVs without a trailer. I'm guessing that the rack and two ATVs will probably be in the range of 1400 lbs, which is lower than the maximum cargo rating for my truck.

My concern is whether the bed rails will actually safely support this weight. I've found ladder racks on the net that are rated for 1,000 lbs and they use only the bed rails for support, and they are only supported at the four corners. My rack would at least spread the load over the full length of the bed rails.

I've sent an email to Ford for an answer but I bet I won't hear anything of any real use.

Any opinions here?

Thanks,
Keith

 

how wide would that be? Have you though about how far past the side the truck the frame will be?


I really dont see an issue with 1400# being spread equally but maybe it would just be easier to buy a trailer.

 

Another thing you may want to consider, is the fact that you will have a lot of weight very high up on the truck. It will lean a lot more in the turns, and if you aren't real careful could turn over. 1400 lbs in the bed is a lot different than 700 lbs in the bed and 700 lbs above the bed. The center of gravity will be a lot higher.

 

That's what I was thinking too.
1400 lbs of pea gravel spread out lower than the bed rails is one thing but,
1400 lbs with half of it above the top of the cab.....
....I'd have to paid to drive it, get paid a lot.

The investment it would take to make a reinforced rack and the ramp system it would require would be may more than one in the bed and one on a small trailer.

It also a easier on your truck to haull 600 while towing 800, than to haul 1400.
Take some pics if you do this .

 

I don't think I'd mount them to the bed rails. I'd go with something like this.....

www.atvramps.com/atvrack8.jpg


This way the weight is distributed evenly on the bed floor.

 

Maybe that is what he meant.
He mentioned 'ladder rack' in his post and thought, one on top of the other.

Something like Spargo2's link would would work fine.
That could be built yourself if the commercial one is too pricey.

 

Only now instead of 700lbs above the bed, you have 1400lbs above the bed. An even worse condition.

 

Side by side looks no worse than a slide in camper...

700 stacked on 700, ten feet high, would look a lot scarier.

 

I think stacked would be better than side by side. Also a slide in camper has much of it's weight low. Things like waste holding tank, water tank, etc are put in the lower part of the slide in. Also unless it is a 7700lb gvw truck, it is not rated for a slide in.

 

I seem to be being put in a position of defending one over the other.

I am of the opinion, one in the bed one on a trailer.
The only thing better than that is two in the trailer.

Two in the bed don't fit, whether stacked or side by side, things get squirrelly.

If two in the bed it must be, find some way to incorporate the bed floor as shown above, that's an improvement.

Somebody had to be the first one to pick up a lobster and say,
Hey, let's eat that!

 

Sorry, I am in no way condoning 2 in the bed, whether stacked or side by side. The safest, is 2 on a trailer, with next best be 1 in the bed and 1 on a trailer. I wouldn't even try the other 2 options myself.

 

Would love to see the two stacked. And the aftermath of taking an exit ramp with a decreasing radius!

 

In his defense, he never said stacked.

We jumped the off ramp to conclusions.

 

Your rails will hold 2 atv's but they need to be mounted correctly. It is not the down ward weight that will be the issue it is the various torsion and strain as you travel. Done incorrectly and you may lose an atv or hurt someone badly, or wreck your truck.

Diamond Back make something like you want available from a number of places across the country. I would encourage you to buy one of these.

http://www.diamondbackcovers.com/

By the time you get one made adequately you will have as much or more in it and have an inferior product. They are a nice cover that works well

I hope this helps!