Whether you’re hauling construction equipment for work or want to strap on your surfboard for a weekend trip, a custom truck rack will make your life easier. These racks are designed to help you maximize your truck’s function, and they come in a range of styles for unique purposes. To select the right type for your needs, consider the following factors.

Guide to Choosing Your Custom Truck Rack

1. Mount Style

You have three main options in your mount style: on the truck bed, on the roof, or on your truck cap. Truck bed mounts attach inside the bed itself and offer a wide range of options, like industrial strength for heavy loads.

Roof mounts are best for people who don’t use their rack often and drive a vehicle other than a pickup truck. This rack is out of the way, though accessing it can be a challenge since it’s mounted on top of the vehicle. People often use this type for sports gear or smaller cargo boxes. Truck caps are a good choice for people who want to lock some items inside the bed under the cover, then have additional storage space on the sides and top for supplies.

2. Width

Racks come in half width or full width styles. A half width is attached to one side of the car and is suited for narrow cargo like ladders or kayaks. They weigh less than full width racks and leave most of the truck bed available for taller cargo and easy access. Full width designs spread across the entire truck and are best for wider items, such as sheets of building materials. The truck bed is still available for shorter cargo to slide in underneath the rack.

3. Material

The two most popular materials are aluminum and steel. Aluminum weighs about two-thirds as much as steel does, adding less weight to your truck and giving it better gas mileage. Aluminum is also less susceptible to rust and corrosion. Steel is extremely durable and tends to be cheaper to install than aluminum. It can be coated to help protect it from rust and corrosion.

When you’re ready to design your custom truck rack, the welding team at Incom is here to assist. These local metal fabrication experts have served customers in Kailua-Kona, HI, and across the Big Island for more than 40 years. Trust their AWS-certified team to meet your deadlines and provide flawless craftsmanship. Find out more about their services online, and call (808) 329-1311 for a free estimate today.