Ladder rack vs roll bar

Trying to decide between a roll bar and a back rack for my Tacoma. I know the roll bar is it really meant for a ladder but I figure I could still use it for that purpose and I like the look it adds to the truck. The back rack is more functional for this purpose and less money but it doesn't offer the same style. I'm also concerned of the antenna placement on top of the roof and that it might get in the way of putting a ladder on top. Any thoughts?

 

What's your application? Just a ladder and high up storage? Roll bar or thule xsporter. Personally I would prefer the sport rack, but that's just my aesthetic.


Hauling stacks of lumber that you don't want crashing through your window? Headache rack.

 

Just a ladder

 

What do you mean by sport rack?

 

I would definitely consider that Back Rack if it was wide enough to accommodate a 4 x 8 sheet of ply or MDF.

 

Short or long bed?
Ladder length & weight?
Do you intend for the bottom of the ladder to be inside the tailgate sitting on the bed floor?
How rigid is the fake roll bar?
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If your REAL purpose is to be able to carry a ladder, then go with the most rigid setup that you can.
If carrying the ladder is simply an incidental excuse to buy the fake roll bar, then go with that. Just keep in mind that a hard stop might flex it into the back of the cab.
I purposely bought a cap with a rack so that when (infrequently) I need to transport a ladder it'll be situated level (i.e. parallel with the ground). That way I have no real concern about overhead clearance.
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Think it through.

 

Sometimes people overcomplicate the simplest things.

 

Hope you're not accusing me of that. I ask questions because they can help find a sensible solution.

 

I'm done asking fake roll bar questions. No shit its not a real roll bar.

 

Whatever. I was trying to help determine what would make sense. Do whatever you want and live with the consequences.

 

I am going to do what I want but thank you for your permission. I just wanted some peoples opinions but not insults on fake roll bars.

 

How tall is the ladder?

 

just hang the ladder over the tailgate

 

This is what I was gonna suggest if OP didn’t mind the ladder not being level.

 

If you put a ladder facing forward (even tied down) over the back rack it's going to catch wind, especially at higher speeds.

 

Might even howl. Better to get thules or yakimas or similar. Unless the ladder is 6ft then hang off the tailgate haha

 

The noise and wind drag can be incredible. If you ever pulled one of those landscape trailers with the tall ramp, they catch an insane amound of wind.

 

Easily the most miserable towing experience in the world is towing a utility trailer without anything on it tall enough to block the gate from catching air. My trailer loaded down with #3500 of SXS and crap is far better to tow than the same trailer empty.

 

I just ordered the Darby Extend-A-Truck for this very purpose...scroll down for the scratch-and-dent for $100 (and Thank You @RivetNutBob for the idea!!)

https://darbyindustries.com/product/extend-a-truck/