making a lumber rack for a pickup

[jsmall]

Anyone out there ever made a lumber rack for a pickup truck? I need something that goes over the cab for occasional hauling of long (16 foot) lumber. Yeah, I could have it delivered but that's why I bought the darn truck! I've looked for used ones online (ebay, craigslist, newspaper classifieds) but I'm not having a lot of luck. New ones are either really expensive or really crappy. I don't have any welding equipment so it would have to be something I can bolt together, either pipe (but I think that requires welding?) or treated lumber.

If it makes any difference, I have a Nissan Frontier Crew Cab with a 6 foot bed. Any info on plans, or even a source for a used rack that I haven't mentioned, would be appreciated. And it doesn't have to be pretty, just strong.

[xkvator]

I've welded quite a few racks together for trucks...it's probably possible to bolt something together...i'd forget about wood.
I made a rack for a guy starting out in the remodeling bus. out of 3/4" pipe & angle that bolted to the top of his pickup bedsides - easy to remove. If he needed to haul 16' lumber, I attached a class 3 receiver under the front bumper & he could slip in the "T" i made out of square tubing.

I've seen trucks with only cab protectors & they secured an aluminum extension ladder to it and the tailgate area and layed long lumber/gutters on the ladder...you can have up to an 8' overhang with flags.

probably a lot of good ideas out there...most of them welded

[jsmall]

Thanks xkvator. I know it could easily be built with pipe, if I only knew how to/had equipment to weld. I'll keep watching for a used rack. The urgency was to get some posts and decking material to rebuild my deck, but I'm going to wait until spring now. I'm deep into drywalling the basement anyhow. Ah, the sweet taste of joint compound dust on a Saturday evening :-)

[mdshunk]

You surely ought to be able to build a suitable rack out of punched angle and bolt it together. I'm sure I've seen a few quick and dirty racks like this on a few trucks here and there. I know I saw at least one made out of 2x4's.

[jsmall]

Confessing ignorance here - what is 'punched angle'? Can you post a photo or give a description?

[mdshunk]

Confessing ignorance here - what is 'punched angle'? Can you post a photo or give a description?
It's angle iron the has holes punched in it every inch or so. It's sold in long lengths at the hardware store, and it's commonly used to make shelving and to hang garage door openers. There is some really light gauge stuff out there that would be totally unsuitable for a ladder rack, but most of it is quite sturdy. They sell punched angle at electrical supply houses too, along with other more expensive stuff called "strut", "unistrut" or "Kindorf". You could use that too, but it's a little pricy, and has a host of fittings that go along with the "system".

[jsmall]

okay thanks, I'll have a look next time I'm at the hardware. like tomorrow. I'm on a first name basis now. :)

[xkvator]

take a look at www.accessory-center.com to get some ideas.

[hensleyrd]

I am using a automatic boat loader (eide) that the gear to the motor broke. The only thing I needed is a blade for my sawsall that will cut aluminum. but I have the one of the Nissan Frontier Nismos, that has the tie down rails inside the bed. I made mine removable so I can still use my truck for off roading?

[muneerunisha]

I am new to this forum so, Can you explain about this lumber rack?
Thanks...