6 Best Truck Ladder Racks For Carrying Irrigation Pipes Old Farmers Swear By
We list 6 durable, farmer-tested truck racks for hauling irrigation pipes. These models are chosen for their simple design, strength, and reliability.
There’s nothing quite like wrestling a dozen 20-foot sections of PVC irrigation pipe out of a ditch, only to realize you have no safe way to get them back to the barn. Strapping them to the roof of your cab is a recipe for a scratched-up truck and a potential disaster on the road. A proper truck rack isn’t a luxury; it’s a fundamental tool for moving the awkward, essential materials that keep a farm running.
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Choosing a Rack for Hauling Irrigation Pipe
The right rack for hauling irrigation pipe isn’t necessarily the one with the highest weight rating. Irrigation pipes, whether PVC or aluminum, are long and unwieldy, not incredibly dense. Your main challenge is safely containing the length and preventing the load from shifting, flexing, or whipping around on a bumpy farm lane.
Think about your truck’s primary job. Is it a dedicated farm vehicle, or does it also have to haul groceries and take the kids to school? A permanent, heavy-duty steel rack is perfect for a work-only truck, but a lighter, more versatile aluminum rack might be better for a vehicle that serves multiple roles. The choice between steel and aluminum often comes down to this: brute strength and potential rust versus lighter weight and corrosion resistance.
Finally, consider installation and removal. Some racks are a semi-permanent addition to your truck, requiring drilling and a few hours of work. Others are designed for easier on-and-off use. If you need your full truck bed for hauling loose material like compost one day and long pipes the next, a system that’s easy to adjust or remove will save you countless headaches.
Weather Guard 1275: The Heavy-Duty Standard
When you need a rack that will outlast the truck it’s mounted on, you get a Weather Guard. The Model 1275 is a classic for a reason. It’s made of heavy-gauge steel with a durable powder coat finish, designed to handle far more weight than you’ll ever put on it with irrigation pipe.
This rack is the definition of overbuilt, and that’s a good thing on a farm. Its strength means zero flex when you’re bouncing across a pasture, keeping your pipes secure. The front overhang above the cab provides excellent protection and an additional tie-down point. It’s a true set-it-and-forget-it piece of equipment.
The tradeoff is weight and price. This is not a lightweight system you can easily remove on a weekend. It adds significant weight to your truck, and it’s a serious investment. But if your truck is a primary tool for the farm and you need absolute reliability, the Weather Guard is the benchmark for heavy-duty performance.
TracRac SR Sliding Rack: Ultimate Versatility
Not every farm truck is a dedicated workhorse. For those of us whose truck doubles as a daily driver, the TracRac SR is a game-changer. Its biggest advantage is that the overhead racks slide along base rails. This means you can move them completely out of the way when you need to load a pallet of feed or a round bale in the bed.
Made from rust-proof aluminum, the TracRac is significantly lighter than its steel counterparts. You won’t have to worry about it rusting from the constant exposure to morning dew, rain, and irrigation water. The aerodynamic crossbars also produce less wind noise on the highway, a small but appreciated detail when you’re heading into town.
The versatility does come with a slightly lower weight capacity compared to the heaviest steel racks, but it’s more than enough for any realistic load of irrigation pipe. The real consideration is complexity; the sliding mechanism has moving parts that require occasional cleaning to function smoothly. However, for a multi-purpose truck, the ability to have a full rack one minute and a clear bed the next is unmatched.
Kargo Master Pro II: A True Steel Workhorse
The Kargo Master Pro II is built for one thing: hard work. This is a heavy-duty steel rack designed for contractors, which means it’s more than tough enough for farm use. Its most distinctive feature is the set of beefy side rails that run the length of the rack, creating a secure channel to lay your pipes in. This is a huge benefit for preventing side-to-side shifting.
This rack is all about function over form. The welds are thick, the steel is heavy, and the design is straightforward. It includes grab handles that make it easier to climb into the bed or access your load. You can feel the sturdiness just by looking at it, and it provides immense peace of mind when you’re hauling a full load down a washboard road.
Like other steel racks, it’s heavy and the installation is permanent. It’s not the most aerodynamic or stylish option, but that’s not the point. If you want a rugged, no-nonsense rack that will contain your load and take a beating without complaint, the Pro II is a top contender. It’s a pure utility player.
System One Contractor Rig: The Aluminum Choice
If you like the strength of a contractor-grade rack but prefer the benefits of aluminum, the System One Contractor Rig is your answer. This rack is engineered to be incredibly strong yet lightweight, and it will absolutely never rust. For a farm environment where equipment is constantly exposed to moisture, this is a major long-term advantage.
The System One features unique I-beam construction, which provides exceptional rigidity without the weight penalty of steel. It also has a full-length "Work Winch" tie-down system integrated into the rails, giving you infinitely adjustable anchor points. This makes securing a bundle of mixed-size pipes much easier and safer than using fixed loops.
This is a premium rack with a price tag to match. It’s an investment in longevity and ease of use. For the farmer who plans to keep their truck for a long time and wants a high-performance system that won’t degrade over time, the System One’s combination of strength, light weight, and corrosion-proof construction is hard to beat.
Backrack Safety Rack for Easy Installation
Sometimes, a full overhead rack is overkill. If your main goal is to protect your rear window and provide a solid front stop for long pipes that can rest on the tailgate, the Backrack is an excellent, simpler solution. It’s a "headache rack" that mounts directly behind the cab.
The genius of the Backrack system is its simplicity and modularity. Installation is often a no-drill process using stake pocket mounts, making it easy to put on and take off. While it doesn’t provide rear support on its own, you can pair it with a rear goalpost-style support that fits into your trailer hitch for carrying long loads.
This isn’t the right choice for hauling heavy, flexible loads that need support along their entire length. But for a few dozen sections of rigid PVC or aluminum pipe, it’s a fantastic, affordable, and unintrusive option. It provides the crucial cab protection you need without the commitment of a full contractor rig.
MaxxHaul Steel Rack: A Solid Budget Option
Let’s be practical: not everyone needs a thousand-dollar rack for occasional use. The MaxxHaul Steel Rack is a popular choice because it delivers basic functionality at a fraction of the cost. It’s a simple, adjustable-width rack that clamps or bolts onto your truck’s bed rails.
This is not an industrial-grade piece of equipment. The steel is a lighter gauge, and the finish isn’t as durable as premium brands. But for hauling a moderate amount of PVC pipe a few times a season, it is perfectly adequate. It gets the job done without breaking the bank.
You have to manage your expectations. This is a budget tool, and it comes with tradeoffs in durability and load capacity. But if your choice is between this rack and no rack at all, the MaxxHaul is a smart buy that will make your life easier and your hauling safer. It’s the right tool for the right, limited job.
Key Features for a Farm-Tough Ladder Rack
When you’re looking at a wall of truck racks, it’s easy to get lost in the details. For farm use, especially for hauling irrigation pipes, a few key features matter more than anything else. Focusing on these will help you make the right choice for your needs.
First is load containment. Look for racks with side rails, load stops, or other features that prevent pipes from sliding off the side. A flat crossbar is fine for ladders, but a bundle of round pipes needs to be corralled. Good, accessible tie-down points are non-negotiable. The more options you have to strap your load down, the better.
Next, consider the material and its implications.
- Steel: Maximum strength and rigidity. It’s heavy and will eventually rust if the coating is compromised, but it’s the king for sheer toughness.
- Aluminum: Lightweight, easy to handle, and completely rust-proof. It may have slightly more flex under a very heavy load but is more than strong enough for pipes and offers superior longevity in wet environments.
Finally, think about adjustability and versatility. Can the crossbars be moved? Can the rack be removed easily if needed? A rack that can adapt to different tasks is far more valuable on a small farm than a single-purpose unit. The best rack isn’t just a pipe hauler; it’s a tool that makes your truck more capable for whatever job comes next.
Ultimately, the best rack is the one that fits how you actually use your truck. Whether it’s a heavy-duty steel workhorse or a versatile aluminum slider, investing in a quality system pays for itself quickly in saved time, reduced frustration, and the simple safety of a properly secured load. Choose the one that matches your work, and you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.
