A different type of truck rack

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As I am still new to welding but have caught the virus that has infected everyone one here, I found that I needed a better way to haul material when I went to buy it. I caught myself always having to have my 20' sticks cut into 10' so I could haul them home. As we all know that just makes for a lot more waste. I didn't want to make a big typical style rack that most trucks would have, I wanted something removable. After thinking about it for a bit, I came up with this idea. A simple field goal post that would mount in my receiver hitch. Once I figured that out I had the rear handled, now for the front. How to make it removable for the front. Well I took out my two factory tow hooks made a pair of 3/8" plates that bolted in their place. Off of those plates I welded on some 1 1/2" .250 wall receiver tube. Now my mounts were ready for the front. I made a cross bar out of 2" .250 wall that slides over the 1 1/2" and bolts into place. At the center of my cross piece I welded a piece of 2 1/2" that would secure my upright. After all the mounts were made I found out I had a problem, my truck was tooooo damn long. I was a few feet over 20' so now I couldn't even carry a 20' stick of material. So I put an angle on them to bring them in to have a few feet of over hang on a 20' stick. So here are a few pics of the finished product.Last edited by KMcCurdy; 09-14-2014 at 10:50 PM.Lincoln Pro Mig 180Lincoln Pro Core 125Hypertherm 30xpPorter Cable Drill PressAcra 7x12 bandsaw48" sheet metal brakeCrap load of other tools, working on metal now.
Reply:Sorry don't know what happened to that second pic.Lincoln Pro Mig 180Lincoln Pro Core 125Hypertherm 30xpPorter Cable Drill PressAcra 7x12 bandsaw48" sheet metal brakeCrap load of other tools, working on metal now.
Reply:Make sure there is enough clearance between the cab and the material. It will flex quite a bit in the middle under driving conditions or did u put a 3rd sport behind the cabTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:One other way is to make a rack that mounts of the frame on passenger side.   Then you don't have to lift them on top of the truck.     Just have to make sure it's higher than the front tire when at full lockTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawMake sure there is enough clearance between the cab and the material. It will flex quite a bit in the middle under driving conditions or did u put a 3rd sport behind the cab
Reply:I didn't think any one remembered the old side mounts  . all the pickups and sedan delivery cars, (and some station wagons ). that were used by trades man had 2 or 3 u shaped brackets mounted to the side  and there ladders or pipe hung of the side usually tied with old clothes line rope . Clothes line was a cotton rope with a smooth woven out side .It was the rope of choice for city kids back in the fifties (prevideo games)for cowboys and jump ropes and just tying up the local wimp.. OOps I got lost there for a moment ,don't mind me .  gxbxc
Reply:Oh and might I add nice rack ,did you make the rear one ,so you can mount it straight out the back for, like a canoe ?
Reply:Looks nice. You might want to do a bit of redesign work on the front rack. I'm not a huge fan of open racks in the front. In a panic stop bulk tube like that can slide even if fairly well strapped. You can make a small stop out of expanded metal. I might simply extend the main post straight up, and make a vertical frame there to hold the exp metal. You can connect it to the angled part to stiffen the whole thing. Also I'd probably use that lower frame to attach some loops for tie down points for straps.I'll try and remember to post up picts of the front of the rack on the old work truck that had some of these ideas you might find useful, even if it was a full length rack vs a post style..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Cool idea, I like it.
Reply:Are you able to open the hood with the front support in place? I know that grill is attached to the hood and needs clearance to the front some for the travel arc.It might not be real fun to have to move all that steel to remove the front support, just to get the hood open should you need to for some reason.
Reply:Actually not sure on the hood. Next time I have it on there I'll try and open the hood.Lincoln Pro Mig 180Lincoln Pro Core 125Hypertherm 30xpPorter Cable Drill PressAcra 7x12 bandsaw48" sheet metal brakeCrap load of other tools, working on metal now.
Reply:Originally Posted by gxbxcI didn't think any one remembered the old side mounts  . all the pickups and sedan delivery cars, (and some station wagons ). that were used by trades man had 2 or 3 u shaped brackets mounted to the side  and there ladders or pipe hung of the side usually tied with old clothes line rope . Clothes line was a cotton rope with a smooth woven out side .It was the rope of choice for city kids back in the fifties (prevideo games)for cowboys and jump ropes and just tying up the local wimp.. OOps I got lost there for a moment ,don't mind me .  gxbxc
Reply:These are the picts of the work trucks with the front "stoppers" installed as well as all the tie down loops..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammOilfield pump suppliers still use them for their delivery pickup trucks.  Brackets on front and rear bumpers.
Reply:As far as the front stop goes, it's a good idea. Head ache racks used to be required on flatbed semi's, but not any more. I'm not sure why that is. Most tractors that pull flats still have them, altho I think they are mostly for storage of chains and tarps. You do see some flats that don't have them at all.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:I didn't think the head ache lacks were heavy enough. When stuff starts moving.
Reply:That's true, but I would want something there to keep a piece of rebar from going through my back. Lol. Weight is everything these days tho and your looking at several hundred pounds so I suppose they dumped them on some trucks.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:YEP!Even Pennsylvania Oil Patch Roustabout Trucks had side mounts for pipe!
Reply:A simple timber hitch, and 3 or 4 half hitches will keep material from sliding off onto the hood of your truck too.  Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:That my friend is a vary useful knot .A times I thought I was the only one left who knew how to tie one ,except forehire  and his boy scouts.  gxbxc
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPA simple timber hitch, and 3 or 4 half hitches will keep material from sliding off onto the hood of your truck too.
Reply:Nice rack. I remember dad bringing pipe home once with it wired up on the underside of our stationwagon. Dan D.Manipulator Of Metal
Reply:that works.
Reply:Good looking rack.
Reply:Originally Posted by DanD78Nice rack. I remember dad bringing pipe home once with it wired up on the underside of our stationwagon. Dan D.So I still haven't put the rack back on to try the hood. I like the idea of some expanded metal on the front just in case it does slide. No sure how much I'm gonna use it now tho. I just bought a 98 Dakota. A real pos but it runs great. Gonna make that my haul crap around truck so I don't beat up the nice one.Lincoln Pro Mig 180Lincoln Pro Core 125Hypertherm 30xpPorter Cable Drill PressAcra 7x12 bandsaw48" sheet metal brakeCrap load of other tools, working on metal now.
Reply:Originally Posted by KMcCurdySo I still haven't put the rack back on to try the hood. I like the idea of some expanded metal on the front just in case it does slide. No sure how much I'm gonna use it now tho. I just bought a 98 Dakota. A real pos but it runs great. Gonna make that my haul crap around truck so I don't beat up the nice one.