March 26, 2026
Because Wasted Time Adds Up on the Job
You pull up to a jobsite ready to work and the first thing you need is buried behind a ladder, sitting in the bed of your truck. To get to it, the ladder has to come off. Again. Sound familiar?
Ladders are essential equipment, but when they’re stored in the wrong place, they slow crews down, add frustration and turn simple tasks into extra steps. Over time, that lost efficiency adds up.
The good news? No matter what type of work vehicle you own — pickup, service body, utility body or flatbed — there are smarter ways to store ladders so they stay secure, accessible and out of the way when it matters most.
Material Racks
A Versatile Starting Point
For pickups, service bodies and flatbeds, material racks offer a flexible approach to ladder storage without committing to a ladder-dedicated system. Adjustable crossbars and integrated tie-down points allow crews to secure ladders safely while maintaining quick loading and unloading at the jobsite. While commonly used to haul materials like lumber, pipe or rebar, material racks are also well-suited for carrying extension and step ladders above the bed. For contractors who need versatility rather than a ladder-only setup, material racks strike a practical balance between storage capacity and everyday functionality — keeping tools and cargo accessible below while supporting multiple ladders and job materials above.
Side Mount Ladder Racks
Keeping Ladders Clear of the Bed
Service body users have another efficient option with side mount ladder racks. These systems use two holding brackets mounted to upright supports at the front and rear of the side pack, keeping ladders elevated and out of the cargo area. By relocating ladders to the side of the body, crews maintain full bed access while improving organization and reducing the need to shift equipment before unloading tools or materials. The result is faster access, a cleaner workflow and better use of available storage space.
Three Bow Ladder Racks
An Economical Utility Body Option
This option provides a cost-effective way to expand carrying capacity while preserving enclosed cargo space. It works well for low-roof utility bodies but may be less practical on high-roof models, where increased height can make ladder loading and retrieval more challenging.
Side Mount Clamps
Lower Access, Faster Retrieval
Because ladders sit along the body’s side panel, this setup can partially obstruct space commonly used for branding or company graphics — an important consideration for businesses that rely on vehicle visibility for marketing.
Drop-Down Ladder Racks
Built for Safety and Convenience
Drop-down ladder racks store ladders on top of the utility body but lower them down to the side when it’s time to load or unload. By eliminating overhead lifting, they reduce strain on crews and lower the risk of injury during repeated ladder handling. While this system offers clear ergonomic and safety advantages, especially for teams accessing ladders multiple times per day, it is typically one of the higher-cost ladder storage options.
Set Up Once. Work Smarter Every Day.
Ladder storage solutions can be added to existing work trucks or integrated into new builds to better match how crews actually work. No matter the option, ladders should always be properly secured to ensure safety on the road and on the jobsite. Taking the time to set up your truck correctly once can pay off in daily efficiency for years to come.
FIND A KNAPHEIDE DISTRIBUTOR NEAR YOU TO CONFIGURE A LADDER STORAGE SOLUTIONS THAT WORKS FOR YOUR CREW.
