When you’ll want to haul cumbersome materials and equipment like ladders, lumber, or conduit, a roof rack system could be a lifesaver.
Roof racks accommodate the cargo that won’t fit at the back of your van or pickup. When stored externally, heavy materials and equipment won’t damage the tools and supplies contained in the cargo area. Roof racks also allow you to maximize the space inside and out of doors of the vehicle.
Although roof rack systems offer a whole lot of value, a poorly built system can result in injuries, damage to the vehicle, and better costs. Conversely, a first-rate roof rack system will make an operator’s job easier, protect your employees and vehicles, and potentially last for the lifetime of the vehicle. Listed here are 4 traits to search for when you should discover a protected and effective system.
#1: A Solid Foundation
A fantastic roof rack system starts with a base that gives a solid foundation to your rack of selection.
The bottom of a roof rack system needs to be:
- Low profile to cut back drag, which aids fuel economy and minimizes “whistle,” providing a greater environment for drivers.
- Manufactured from lightweight materials that won’t weigh the vehicle down and tank MPG.
- Built to face up to heavy use.
- Adaptable, so it may well be used on almost any pickup or van and accommodate various kinds of racks and accessories.
“The bottom of our PROFILE Series™ rack is made up of OEM-specific mounting feet and powder-coated aluminum crossbars with slide channels for simple accessory and add-on installation,” said Kyle Lakatos, product manager for Adrian. “These low-profile, aerodynamic crossbars are the bottom for any rack option within the PROFILE™ Series, making it easy to adapt the system to changing business needs.”
#2: Protected and Easy Operation
Roof racks hold large, heavy materials that may damage the vehicle, its operator, and others nearby if those materials fall during loading or unloading. Protected and easy operation is a matter of safety, making it essential.
Search for a system that:
- Only requires one person to load and unload the cargo.
- Has drop-down or clamp-down mechanisms which can be easy to operate.
- Features an ergonomic design to cut back bending, climbing, and overhead lifting.
Drop-down ladder racks lower ladders to the side of the vehicle. Bringing the ladder to the operator makes loading and unloading safer and easier, reducing the danger of injury.
“The important thing to stopping injuries is to simplify access to ladders and other cargo,” said Lakatos. “Adrian’s ProLift™ rack is 50% easier to operate than comparable systems. Its drop-down design minimizes the danger of common injuries related to loading and unloading. This concentrate on safety is complemented by the ProLift’s ergonomic advantages, significantly reducing the physical effort required from the operator.”
Clamp-down ladder racks secure ladders using a clamping mechanism, typically operated by a handle, as a substitute of straps, ties, or bungee cords. Clamp-down ladder racks help drivers avoid climbing on the tires or the bumper to secure or release a ladder.
“Adrian’s Grip-Lock truck ladder rack is an awesome example of an easy-to-operate rack — you may do it with one hand. All operators should do is release the operation handle and lift the ladder over the side rail,” Lakatos said. “We recommend it for hauling smaller, lighter ladders on pickups or low-roof and compact vans.”
#3: Versatility
To get essentially the most out of a roof rack system, it must be versatile. The very last thing you would like is to purchase a complete latest system since you’re carrying a special size of ladder or are using a pickup or van for a special application.
A flexible roof rack system will:
- Work with ladders, lumber, conduit, and accessories.
- Have built-in channels or T-slots for attachments like stops, rollers, tie-downs, carriers, or tool mounts.
- Have the power to be configured for various trades and alter setups as needed.
“Modular and customizable roof rack systems tend to save lots of businesses money, because as their business needs or tools change, they don’t have to take a position in a brand-new system,” Lakatos said. “Our PROFILE Series has three rack options that share the identical design principles, which makes switching between types or integrating compatible accessories quite a bit smoother than mixing completely different rack systems. Plus, our systems are designed to adapt to almost any vehicle, and the modular design will be easily upgraded for specific utility use.”
Beyond the flexibility of the bottom, each Adrian roof rack may adapt to a big selection of cargo.
One example is the HD Utility Rack, which has crossbars that include built-in channels that allow for personalisation, enabling the addition of ladder stops, conduit kits, and other accessories.
#4: Durable
Finally, you’ll want to take a position in a roof rack system that may last. The materials utilized in your ladder rack and rack accessories are the important thing to maximizing the performance of your setup.
Search for a system that’s built with corrosion-resistant materials like aluminum or chrome steel, and a long-lasting finish that resists UV light, road salt, moisture, and chemicals.
“All the racks in our PROFILE Series feature primarily aluminum construction, chrome steel hardware, and a durable powder-coat finish in order that they can withstand heavy use and last for the lifetime of the vehicle,” Lakatos said. “These materials won’t rust, which maintains the integrity of the system while also ensuring businesses operate vehicles which can be clean and skilled. We also add wear strips to high-contact surfaces in order that roof racks maintain their integrity for the long haul.”
Roof Rack Systems Do More Than Carry Cargo
Roof rack systems are essential for carrying large tools, materials, and equipment needed to get the job done. However it’s necessary to keep in mind that a system that requires frequent maintenance or repairs can result in downtime, safety hazards, customer support impacts, and increased costs, so select properly.
To learn more about Adrian’s PROFILE Series roof rack systems for vans and pickups, click here.
This text reflects the views of Adrian and doesn’t necessarily represent the views of Automotive Fleet or Bobit Business Media.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotive-fleet.com
