My Pipe Rack

Here's a link to some pictures of my home made pipe rack. I found old 2x4s which were thicker than new ones are fit my stake pockets best. The did need to be ripped to like 2.5" wide. the horizontal pieces are just standard 2X4s. I used 2 long screws at each joint but I'm thinking given how often I use it now I'll switch to a bolt at each joint. The ratchet straps hook to tie-downs in the bottom corners of the bed and hold the stuff to the rack and the rack to the truck as the rack just sits in the stake pockets.

I built the rack as a cheap alternative to delivery charges for the 12" culvert pipe shown in a couple pics. As first built I purchased a couple 12 foot boards that were part of the rack and went out over the cab and had a cross piece at the front. It was intended for one use only. I did number the joints and disassembled it and stored it. Soon I found other uses but unfortunately those 2x4s warped bad--both twisting and curving so bad I couldn't reassemble it. I decided to try just the two arches and it has worked fine for everything I've gotten since. I'm not sure how the culvert pipe would work today as it was single wall and flopped a bit much up and down and might require the over cab support.

Also picture is a 24 foot piece of 2x3 metal tubing. In the bed in those pics are 5 - 10 foot sheets of metal siding. This is the stuff they use for carports--I added a loft to my metal building. I generally center stuff on the rack vs the truck to minimize bouncing of the unsupported ends but that tubing was pretty rigid (once I stopped and turned it so it stood 3" tall vs 2 anyway) and thus I let it come out to I think the front bumper.

The rack creaks and groans while driving as it moves in the stake pockets but does a real good job. When done I can lift it out the stake pockets and lay them on the pavement under the carport then back the truck in and they fit nicely out of the way under the back of the bed along with some ramps, a rolled up bed mat, and other truck stuff.
Pipe rack pics.

Looks good!

Looks good so far, but a few low cost (cheap) additions can make it better. I am not picking on you, just a few hints learned from experience. Have seen a lot of people beside the road readjusting items that have slipped out of place.

First off, any load extending 4 ft or more beyond the bumper is required to have a flag at the end.

Instead of just running the strap over the load, do a "belly wrap" completely around the bundle, then down to tie down rings. Keeps items in center of load from working their way out from vibration or a quick stop. Pull tight enough so it thumps like the string on a bass fiddle. Make the bundle as close as possible to a square or triangle to stiffen it up.
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If load extends forward past windshield, run a "belly wrap" to prevent flexing. For a single, or a few pieces, extend strap to wheel well. Use padded hooks to protect body paint, run strap just snug, not real tight.

For just a few sticks of pipe or lumber, a metal 5 gal bucket over the end & tied back to the rack helps hold from sliding out.
Happy motoring 7 be safe.
Willie

thank you, good ideas...
my local concrete guy sole me a bunch of 1/2" rebar, but I couldn't figure how to carry the 20' lengths.... stood and stared at it....
he came out of the office, said "Simple". Ran the stuff UNDER the truck, rested on the front axle and then back on the rear axle, 4-wheel drive....
I asked is this legal??? Got a shoulder shrug, so I drove home... worked perfectly.

I do several things to ensure the center ones don't slide. First I always make sure I can't slide them before driving away. Second as the strap would tend to pull the pipes into a triangle I route it (hard to explain) around the rack too which prevents it from pulling pipe to the center. Third I pull the strap good and tight. Forth when I had an unusually large load one time and was having a problem securing center ones I found a 2x4 with a channel cut in the wide side in the dumpster and have taken to using it across the top of the pipe at the front arch the strap runs in this channel and it holds down evenly across the pipe preventing center ones from coming up--it makes a big difference on larger loads. Haven't had anything move yet though in an accident all bets are off. A few pieces I strap only to one side and let them pull into whatever shape is stable.

Yea, I'm vaguely aware about the flag rule but keep forgetting. I will say I don't worry as much about loads of the pvc pipe as obviously the only thing that will hit it would be something taller than my truck which eliminates probably 75% of the vehicles and even most that are taller the hood will easily pass under the pipe. Lastly I'm carrying enough that it's a pretty large object up there. I worry more about a single piece sticking out at car windshield level. It's hard to judge distance from when you come up behind it. As for people leaving my house with pipe--I try to make them aware they are responsible for the transport and two that I feel sure the load will not completely detach from the vehicle.