My Current (and much improved) Haul Set-up

**matador** · 08-08-2015, 11:26 AM

Can't gripe! I'm a huge believer in stake racks. You probably will run out of weight capacity on an S10, but we used to have this rack:

The sides went u very high, but there was a rod that went along the side, so you could fold it in half, making it only as high as the cab. You would be amazed at how much fuel that saves.

I doubt you'll need a larger rack, but if you do, I'd highly recommend the folding system.

Looks like a very well-built setup, though!

**JunkmanDan** · 08-08-2015, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by matador

Looks like a very well-built setup, though!

It is, even before I added the rear cross-brace when I decided I wanted doors, the amount of sway in the rear of the boards at highway speeds was minimal and in fact comparable to sideboards that are mounted into stake pockets. I probably could have added the doors without the cross-brace but to ensure stability with the doors on, I decided to put that brace on. With the doors on and shut, that rack does not move at all, when they're off there is minor wiggle so it's super sturdy. Being made of pressure-treated lumber also ensures that they'll last for a long time. As far as weight capacity goes, I've had the bed loaded down with 1100 lbs. of cast-iron engine blocks (I think the S10's max payload capacity rating tops out at 1400) and she took it like a champ. That 4.3 v6 is quite capable, although I did have to gear down by one gear on some inclines (ex. instead of doing a hill climb that I would normally use 3rd for, I had to drop to 2nd, got a 5 speed manual tranny), not only that but the ride was really, really, REALLY nice with 1100 lbs. back there, added bonus as unladen, as is typical of alot of pickups, especially older ones, it can be kinda bouncy.