aluminum roof rack

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I'm looking to build an aluminum rack to go over my trucks camper shell "snug top". the bed is ~6.5' long i would like to make the rack 10' long, with it hanging over the cab. i really need to keep the shell to keep my tools dry but hate my ladders hanging out the back.  the most that will be up there is 3 ladders and maybe some pvc and conduit. it dose not have to hold a ton of weight but would like to to be strong enough that in a pinch i could use it. would it be a wast to put aluminum wire mesh on the floor to keep the shorter ladders form falling through..  will aluminum work what size tube pipe or angle would i need. i would like to mount my go-light and a ham antenna on the front, and some reverse light on the back. i was thinking of using 6061 t6 pipe or angle what size or what other aluminum would you think would work better and wire? would mounting it to the top be good or do i need to run it down the sides to the bed rail.i will post a pic of the truck when i can get one.thanks matt
Reply:Here is one I did recently from steel, pretty close to the dimensions you are looking at. Not sure about your aluminum questions, just thought I'd show you the design.
Reply:As far as attaching direct t o the cap, depends on the cap. The manufacturer of my cap does make an alum ladder rack for it.  Basically it attaches to the 1" alum ribs that form the understructure of the roof of the cap. Since the span isn't all that great between ribs, the top tube they use is fairly small. Keep in mind that taller tube resists bending better than shorter tube. So tall thin rect tube tends to work better than say shorter wider tube of the same weight.As far as mesh, that wouldn't hurt, but if the cross members re fairly close together like they are in the design like the cap manufacturer I have uses, the mesh wouldn't be needed really for say stuff 3' and longer. Also mesh can prevent you from being able to strap things down where ever you want. A friend put mesh on the front extension of his steel rack to find that strapping down small items became a real PITA because the only way to strap things now was to wrap the straps around the whole thing vs just around the item and one rail..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:i like that, that is what i had in mind, is it hooked to the bed on 3 plates or is it one long piece? if i use mesh i was looking to get big holes so i might could tie to it, but that may not work?my top is a leer and i have read that they can hold 800lbs not sure that is right.
Reply:Mine has three mounting plates. The truck has unistrut mounted under the bed rails from the factory so we bolted through the plates and the strut to mount it. The owner used a length of trex material along the bed rails to give the canopy a flat surface to mate up to. He routed out channels on the bottom side for the plate and bolt heads. You can see the trex on the far side rail.
Reply:it looks like i have lucked up on a hauler rack for 200. so will not be making one just customizing one to fit my needs. thanks for the in put i will try and get pics of it when i get it done.