A ladder rack is one of the first accessories most service body buyers add, but where it mounts changes how
the truck loads, drives, and gets used every day. The two most common setups are a rear-mounted rack over the
cab guard and headache rack, and a side-mount rack that runs along one side of the body above the compartments.
At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we build both configurations
onto service bodies from
CM and
RKI for fleets and owner-operators across Texas
and Louisiana.
What a Rear Rack Offers
A rear-mounted ladder rack sits behind the cab, typically tied into the headache rack or cab guard, and
carries long material straight back over the bed. This keeps weight centered over the rear axle and leaves both
sides of the service body compartments completely clear for doors to swing open without interference. Rear racks
are the standard choice for crews hauling ladders, pipe, conduit, or lumber that needs to load and unload from
the back of the truck, and they pair naturally with a
cab guard already spec’d on the build.
What a Side-Mount Rack Offers
A side-mount ladder rack runs the length of one side of the service body, above the compartment doors, and
lets a crew slide a ladder on or off from the side without walking to the back of the truck. This is useful on
tighter job sites and alleys where backing up to unload isn’t practical, and it keeps the rear of the truck open
for a liftgate, hitch-mounted equipment, or tailgate access. The tradeoff is that a side-mount rack can interfere
with tall compartment doors on that side and adds height and wind resistance concentrated on one edge of the
body.
Which Setup Fits Your Trade?
- Electricians and HVAC techs — a rear rack keeps ladders out of the way of daily compartment access on both sides
- Painters and glass crews — a side-mount rack speeds up loading long ladders in tight residential driveways
- Plumbers and utility crews — a rear rack pairs best with a full-height headache rack for pipe and conduit
- Landscaping and tree crews — either works, but a side-mount rack frees up the tailgate for equipment ramps
- Fleets standardizing on one spec — a rear rack is the more common, lower-interference default
Both rack styles can be added when a service body is built or retrofitted after the fact. Browse our
truck accessories for rack options, or ask about
outfitting your next service body or
flatbed order.
Get Your Truck Set Up Right
Star Truck Equipment builds and outfits truck bodies for fleets and owner-operators across Texas and Louisiana
from our shop in Wharton, TX. Call us at (979) 532-1486 or browse our
service bodies and
truck accessories to get started.
