Headache racks

For $1800 I'd buy it.

 

This is just my opinion,...

Last summer I ran my carriers truck for a month with a large closed headache rack. It was pretty sweet looking. I had always admired the look of them.

The reality,.. at least for me,.. was that dragging the chains, binders, bungee, tools and everything else out that I needed,.. was equally as cumbersome and time consuming as putting it all back inside was. After about a week I decided I no longer wanted an enclosed rack.

They have locks for the racks on open racks as well. I have a lid that closes over where my chains and binders hook,.. it has lock hooks on the ends. If someone wants to steal your things,.. closed or open,.. they will take it anyway. Thats the sad reality.

I just keep chains, binders and bungee on my rack. I have extra chains, ratchets, binders, tools etc in my side boxes. Breaker bar etc I keep under the sleeper in my side box.

Hurst

 

If you go anywhere it snows and the roads get salted/sanded, or you do any amount of gravel road travel... get the cabinet.

Or, if you're OCD and you like shiny things like me... get the cabinet.

 

Personally I prefer enclosed, I carry a lot of "specialty" stuff that's not easily replaced and when I oil up my binders and put them away they stay oiled and free for the next time. There are pluses and minuses to either style and depends largely on what works best for you. For $1800 I'd be all over it but again, personal choice.

@Hurst has given his reason for not liking them and I can see where if I were using my chains/binders regularly that the locker would be a PITA. However in my situation I have only had to drag them out a couple times this year so they're out of the elements and out of sight. But on the outside two I have them stuffed full of specialty items that #1 if stolen couldn't be just picked up at the truckstop and #2 don't fit the normal open storage solutions which would force me to try and cram everything under the bunk (I refuse to store equipment inside my house period!)

We have about 210 trucks, 14 of us have enclosed lockers because we need them, 1 team has one because they cry about everything and the rest have open racks and there is a percentage of those drivers who whine and cry all the time because they think they need enclosed lockers. Fact of the matter is 95% of what they haul they use 4" straps for and EVERY one of our trucks has at a minimum of a 30" step box that when packed properly will hold 3 dozen 4" straps and plenty of supporting equipment plus they all have the drop in "between the frame rails" boxes that also hold a tremendous amount of equipment as long as they are organized. They want them for the looks not the function. The team that they finally bought one for pulls nothing but conestogas and the same one at that so they have no need for any on truck storage what so ever but now they can brag because they have a locker and move on to complaining about something else they are entitled to because someone else has it.

In the end, you have to figure out what will work best for your particular business model. I've ran heavy/specialized for many years and just got my first enclosed this year. I was able to do my job without one, love having one as I can better organize my gear AND have all my gear with me all the time but if they took it away tomorrow I'd still be able to do my job without it.

 

My reason was for what I do and for what I use the rack for.

I personally dont need an enclosed rack. Nothing special,.. and other than the $50 ratchet binders I bought from Keen,.. the rest is all Craigslist stuff. I paid $40 for the 10 snap binders I have. the 4 in my box I was given free by my carrier. I have 12 grade 70 30ft 3/8 chains,.. all from Craigslists and dont think I paid more than $75. The 2 5/16 chains I got for free from my carrier.

I agree,.. the weather wreaks havoc on my binders and the chains like to rust. That is a serious downside to an open rack like mine.

I just dont have a real reason or need for an enclosed rack. Thats just me,.. if the issue was just the ability to lock your gear,.. you can lock the chains and binders on an open rack. If you want to keep your gear nice and clean, plus the whole out of sight,.. out of mind to keep the honest people honest,. there it that too.

Nothing against the enclosed racks. I still think they look nice and speak volumes in terms of how a guy takes care of his gear.

Hurst

 

Tell him 1500 if not I'll buy it

 

4States sells one for $1900,3 door enclosed, shelves and double rows of chain hangers.

I started with an open rack I bought for $150. Bought my current 3 door rack that looks like the one @catalinaflyer has on his truck for $300, like new. It's another one of those deals where a guy stayed a little too long in the casino and lost his shirt.

I pull different trailers. If I pulled the same trailer, I would keep my gear on the trailer. Chains is only 1 part of the equation. I carry too much gear for an open rack.

 

@Hurst, 1st, I don't think you have to start your posts with, "my opinion". I enjoy your comments and don't feel you should be under the gun by saying that. 2nd, you are right, if someone wants your stuff, they will get it. Chains aren't used near as much as in the past. Years ago, we never had straps, and had to take creative steps not to damage the load with chains. While I would still have an enclosed one, ( they do look cool) it does tell thieves, there must be something good in there.

 

Thanks brother.

I just dont like getting bashed and ganged up on for saying whats on my mind. I never know when its coming.. I have short temper trying my best to keep the peace and not upset those who are waiting to critique every little thing I say. We know who they are.. I'm honestly trying to return to 'normal' member status and just fit in with everyone else.

Hurst

 

Well, you won't get that from me. What you ( and other flatbedders) do is probably the hardest trucking there is. Oh sure, I've lumped many a van or reefer load, but mostly was inside while the wind blew outside. ( I even helped a guy once trying to tarp a load of sticks in a fierce wind, and never would have got it without me) Keep up the good work.