Replies

1. 
   shellbuilder | Sep 27, 2006 12:56am | #1

   Anyone?

    

2. 
   10man | Sep 27, 2006 01:16am | #2

   Hello shellbuilder,

   I bought the System One rack, deluxe years ago and love it. I'd had several different racks over 29 years but nothing even close to as satisfying as the System One. The rubber strips on top of the rack reduce slippage and cushion whatever you have strapped up there, plus cut down on noise form metal-to-metal contact with ladders, picks or whatever. The ratchet straps will spoil you to anything else, the hooks are great, and the option of removing the rear bar quickly if you need to haul a refridgerator or something is very handy too. Also, NO RUST! Mine goes from truck to truck (they last forever) and is on a Ford F250 Super Duty Service Body. I've hauled incredible abounts of weight on my rack without any problems. The initial price is hard to swallow, but you won't regret it if you buy it.

   10man

3. 
   reinvent | Sep 27, 2006 01:27am | #3

   Yeah I love mine. Part of the reason I got it was the aluminum is a lot lighter so less dead/top heavy weight to carry on the truck all the time. Plus there are slots every where to attach accessories.

4. 
   jayzog | Sep 27, 2006 01:43am | #4

   I have always had a vanguard steel rack. On my latest truck I put a system 1.

   Can't wait till my next truck so I can go back to a vanguard.

   The reasons for not liking the S1 are:

   It is to narrow at the top, not only do I miss the extra space up there, but if you go to pick up a pallet of shingles/block/whatever, it won't fit between the side rails.

   The vertical parts are sloped, so when you put a large weight on it, there is enough thrust to spread the bed rails of the truck(on my chevey anyway), and then the tailgate wont open.

   The vanguard has side pins that stick up higher than the loading area, so a forklift can put a load on top easily by dragging the forks out while the pins hold the load on the rack- cant do that with the horizontal part on the S1

   The back bar does come off, but it takes a few minutes and pizzes me off.

    

   The good points are the work winches are handy, and it does look nicer on the truck, but I aint into no fashion show.  

5. 
   dieselpig | Sep 27, 2006 03:26am | #5

   I think mine are my favorite part of my whole truck.  I just read the previous poster's comments, so I'll add that mine are on a service body and not a regular truck bed.  I don't know if that makes a difference, but I've put a ton of weight on mine (not literally) without any signs of distrss from either the truck or the racks.    

   The work winches are just the greatest thing since sliced bread.  They're so fast and they secure a load better than anything else I've ever tried.  Make sure you specify the longer straps that are available.  I also bought some extra accessories as well for mine like large and small hooks that attach to the rack near the cab for hoses and cords and the extension to go out over the cab.

   The downside, IIRC, is that you can only order parts and accessories through a dealer and not directly from the company.

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1. 
   MikeSmith | Sep 27, 2006 03:56am | #6

   i bought a System One for one of my guys.. he liked it

   for me .. i bought my 2d Vanguard SS rack... we really load 'em up and they take it..

   easy access, the rear bar pivots .. pretty slick pin system

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   so ... we have the SS on the '03

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   & the '06

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   Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

   Edited 9/26/2006 8:59 pm ET by MikeSmith

   Edited 9/26/2006 8:59 pm ET by MikeSmith

   Edited 9/26/2006 9:00 pm ET by MikeSmith

1. 
   dieselpig | Sep 27, 2006 04:16am | #8

   I'm having a sign made.  For the passenger side dashboard.  Like Lincoln's bed at the White House.  It will read:

   Mike Smith's Azz once sat here.

   We're very proud.  :)View Image

1. 
   MikeSmith | Sep 27, 2006 04:20am | #9

   whatever .....

   hey.... got any books ?  i got a fewMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   dieselpig | Sep 27, 2006 04:25am | #12

   Haven't had much time lately.  Still only read the first chapter of Feeding the Monster.  But I did get through Marley and Me quickly right before that.  I don't recall if you're a dog lover, but if you are, you'd like it.  My Mom's got it right now. View Image

2. 
   Brudoggie | Sep 27, 2006 03:58am | #7

   Deisel,

    Now that's my kind of truck!

    What kind of service body is that? My former boss has had a service body, since the 60's. You can pack alot of tools in there.

    If I ever replace my '96 F-250, I'll get a rig like yours. Maybe just put the box and rack on the '96, now that gas is back near $2.00/ gal. There's just something I like about running a 10 yr. old truck, that looks like it's new. Then again, I go to customer meetings, with dusty work boots on too. Sometimes the dust is still in, what's left of my hair. :)

   Nice professional looking ride. If i get a chance, I'll post a pic, of one of the local guy's truck. New Ford, all jacked up, with big mudders. Looks real professional (Not)! At 5'7" tall, I couldn't hardly reach the truck bed.

    Have a good one!

   Brudoggie

1. 
   dieselpig | Sep 27, 2006 04:21am | #10

   Thanks Brudoggie.  I like that truck a lot too.  Even though it's not a dually, I can pack a ton of goodies in those boxes.  And that color seems to stay much cleaner looking than other trucks I've owned.  I call it the Space Shuttle because when the racks are loaded and the trailer is loaded up behind me..... and I have to stop fast...... I feel like I'm piloting the space shuttle back into re-entry or something.  It feels like it's 100 feet long to me.  But sadly.... I too am a member of the 5'7" club.... plus an inch or so.  ;)

   The service body is a Reading Classic.  I had a Stahl before this and my old boss had Knapaheide (sp?) and IMO neither compares to the Reading for a multitude of reasons.  I also sprung for the locking system in mine so with a touch of the button on the key fob, all the boxes lock at once.  I like that.  Makes it easy to be vigilant.... although I still slip sometimes.View Image

1. 
   Brudoggie | Sep 27, 2006 04:32am | #14

   Diesel,

    I know what you mean about the space shuttle. My '96 is a super cab too, and with the 14' trailer, you don't want to stop for groceries, on the way home. Seems like alot of tail behind the dog, when the trailer is fully loaded. When I know I have to really fill it, I use my other truck. A '00 F-350 4x4 dually dump. Can't even tell the trailer is behind that thing.

    My old boss had a Knapheid. That thing would rust almost overnight. He had it painted every year. Then he switched to some fancy aluminum box. Really expensive, and still not too impressive.

    That locking system sounds great, although, not very necessary here. I live in the land of unlocked houses, and cars with the keys in them. Atleast for now.

   Brudoggie

3. 
   shellbuilder | Sep 27, 2006 04:23am | #11

   Didn't quite follow the extension part of the system, didn't understand it on their site either. Also does the ITS system allow you to take out the center strut as shown on the utility system. Also looking at their site, it appeared a lot of the "optional" accessories are needed for installation. I have a 2000 GMC 4wd that I may be replacing and worried the racks wouldn't work on a future purchase even if I went with same shorter bed and extended cab. Anyone been involved with this to the degree of cross reference compatibility? As far as I can see the deal is 848.00. I have a Weathergurad 28" crossover box raised on a 2x4, they offer a 20" aluminum riser for the box that I assume is integrated some way to their rail but that won't look good with a 28" box on top of it. Diesel, your truck looks good with the System One, anyone use the color inlays? You said your hooks hang over the cab, you mean the bed? And do you have the screen protection on the back window?  Thanks for all the replies on this. 

1. 
   dieselpig | Sep 27, 2006 04:32am | #13

   Boy, a lot of your questions about ordering and what-not are way over my head dude.  I had mine installed on the rig before I even picked it up at the dealership.  I just picked out everything I wanted from service body, to cab/chassis, to bedliner, and racks.  Other than lettering, it looked just like it does in that picture.

   I have the inlay color matched striping too.  It's in a box in my basement.  :)   It's on the "someday" list. 

   I either mis-typed or you misunderstood me.  What I meant is that the hooks that I have attach on the cross bar closest to the cab.... not over the cab.  When I said "over the cab" I was referring to the extensions that make the whole rack extend out over the cab of the truck with a third cross member.  Now that I think about it, you could probably attach the hooks anywhere you want.... I really can't remember now.  Sorry I'm not much help.... other than looking pretty.  ;)

   I don't have the screen protector.  I don't store a ton of stuff in the bed of my truck, nor do I transport a lot of materials back there.  I have a full 8' bed, but the diesel transfer tank, a couple gas cans, spare trailer tire, my cooler, and a couple dozen wall brackets are the only usual suspects back there.  Occasional lumber.  Occasional pallet of redi-mix.  Occasional wheelbarrow.  You get the picture.View Image

6. 
   Jemcon | Sep 27, 2006 04:44am | #15

   I too have System One racks. I've had them on 3 different trucks. Right now they're on a '96 F250. I have top sider boxes on them. Look at http://www.americanvan.com . I paid about 500.00 for mine but there up to 670.00. Here's a link to there site http://www.americanvan.com/catalog/standard_dynamic_wrap.cfm?FamilyID=98 See what you think.

    

    

    

   Headstrong, I'll take on anyone!