Interior Ladder Rack and Roof Mounted Ladder Rack - Pros and Cons

Ladder racks increase the space available for your van and enhance safety during storage or transportation of work tools and equipment. Vans offer the option of interior or exterior racks. The choice between interior and exterior racks is personal and will depend on changing needs. 

Here is a professional guide to choosing racks for your van.

• Type of tools to be carried: some tools are best carried inside the van while others fit outside. Some tools are delicate and require protection from elements like the sun or rain. Others are bulky and cannot fit inside the van or will occupy too much space. The shape of the tools or equipment may also not allow you to install racks inside the van.
• Size of tools: this is a major consideration when choosing ladder rack. Where the ladders and other tools are long, ferrying them from inside the van will be challenging. This will automatically force you to install ladder roof racks.
• Other uses for the van: vans are not just meant to transport ladders. They may be designed with drawers and chests to ferry other tools. The installation of racks inside may diminish the space available for other tools. If your main concern is the ladders or can afford other ways of transporting the other tools, you can install interior racks.
• Pricing: installing ladder racks is expensive and requires meticulous budgeting. The price of installing interior racks differs from roof-mounted racks. Your budget and consideration of other factors will help you determine the best option.

To decide between roof-mounted and interior ladder racks, you need to consider the advantages and disadvantages that abound in each case. Here is a look at the pros and cons of either rack.

Roof Mounted Ladder Racks

This is the most common option for van owners. It presents own advantages and disadvantages depending on diverse needs. Some of the advantages you enjoy with roof mounted racks include

• Large ladders: the roof presents unlimited opportunities to carry larger ladders. This means that you can carry longer ladders with ease. Longer ladders occupy less space and are safer to use because their joints are few.
• Extraordinarily designed ladders: ladders defer in design and the features they present. With roof mounted ladders, you can carry ladders and tools in an extraordinary shape. Your work options will not be limited.
• Quick access: It is easier to access ladders that are mounted on the roof compared to those loaded inside the van. You will save time, especially when responding to emergencies.
• The integrity of your vehicle: vehicles require little or no modification when mounting racks on roofs. This means that the integrity of the vehicle will be preserved.

While roof mounted racks offer several advantages, there are disadvantages that you have to bear with. These disadvantages include:-

• Risky in motion: the ladders can easily fall off the roof during transit or even when the vehicle is stationary. This exposes other road users to danger. The fall may also damage the ladders or your vehicle.
• Exposure to elements: the rack and the ladder or other tools in transit are exposed to elements like the sun or rain. This increases the chances of damage and reduces their lifespan. Some of your tools will be destroyed in case of such exposure.
• Unsafe against theft: your tools are unprotected against theft.

Interior Ladder Racks

Interior ladder rack is the option when roof mounting proofs to be problematic. However, this option does not fit all situations. There are advantages and challenges when you choose interior installation. Here are some of them.

• Safety: you are guaranteed of the safety of ladders and tools that may be carried since they are secured inside the vehicle. These tools and ladders are not exposed to elements or theft. It gives you the certainty that these ladders or tools will get to their preferred destination.
• Security: the chances of the ladders falling are minimal unless the door is opened. This means that they have to breach two security fronts do fall off. Thieves also have to break into your van to retrieve the ladders in case they are to be stolen. This is a guarantee for security.

The disadvantages of ladder roof mounting are a reversal of the advantages of interior mounting. You need to consider your business needs and uniqueness to decide on the best ladder rack option. Consult a ladder expert to guide you and ensure that you get excellent value for money for the choices you make.