Review of Holman's The Pro Rack for Full Size Trucks

What Sets Holman's The Pro Rack Apart

Holman's The Pro Rack is Holman's newest generation of truck rack, and the improvements over previous versions are visible once it is on the truck. The rack is sold in two parts - your uprights and crossbars, and then your side channels - but at Upfit Supply you just enter your year, make, and model and we combine both kits for you so you know exactly what to order. Here's a look at what makes this rack worth considering over the more generic universal options on the market.

The primary tubing is 2-inch diameter, which is notably larger and more substantial than what you see on a lot of competing ladder racks. That larger tube diameter contributes to the overall rigidity of the structure and gives the rack a more substantial, purposeful look once installed. The smaller horizontal tubes at the top of the uprights act as end stops to keep material from sliding off the sides once loaded. The rack is sized to your specific truck configuration rather than being a one-size-fits-all design, so whether you have a crew cab, a super cab, or a regular cab, and whether your bed is 5.5, 6.5, or 8 feet, the Pro Rack is built to match those dimensions properly.

Build Quality and Corrosion Resistance

The Pro Rack is built from industrial-grade steel. Holman does a zinc coating on the steel before applying a marine-grade polyester powder coat as the finish layer, and they back that with 1,000 hours of salt spray testing. For a truck rack that is going to live outside in rain, road salt, and the general abuse of a working truck, that level of corrosion protection is meaningful and puts it well ahead of racks with standard powder coat over bare steel. All of the hardware is also galvanized, so you are not going to see rust bleeding out of the bolt holes within a couple of years the way you do on cheaper racks.

One thing worth knowing about weight capacity: Holman does not advertise a specific weight rating for The Pro Rack. That is intentional. Their reasoning is that the limiting factor on any truck rack is the vehicle's own load rating, not the rack itself. The rack is designed to be the strongest part of the equation, so you follow your truck's specifications rather than an arbitrary rack number. In practice, this is the right way to think about it.

Mounting Options

The Pro Rack installs without drilling if you want. The no-drill configuration uses the stake pockets combined with bed clamps, and Holman includes a best-in-class rear stake pocket mount that extends underneath the stake pocket and ties into that existing location for added stability compared to a standard clamp-only setup. If you want the most secure possible installation, there is also an option to drill through the bed rail and bolt directly through it, which Holman describes as the secure option. Both sets of hardware and a detailed installation guide are included in the kit.

Installation is a two-person job primarily because of the lifting step. The assembly itself - putting together the side channels, crossbars, feet, and legs - can be done solo on the ground. The rack comes in over 150 lbs assembled and is awkward to maneuver, so getting it onto the truck safely takes a second person.

Tie-Downs and Accessories

One of the standout practical features of the Pro Rack is the number of tie-down locations built into the uprights. Most ladder racks give you one or two loops per side. The Pro Rack has multiple tie-down points running up and down each upright, which means you can strap material at whatever height makes sense for what you are carrying, rather than working around fixed loop positions.

The rear crossbar uses a pin-and-swing removal system. Pull the pin, swing the crossbar out, and you have full open access to the bed for loading a pallet or oversize material. There is a storage slot on the rack to keep the pin from getting lost when the crossbar is removed. The rear grab handle is also positioned lower than what you see on most competitor racks, which means less reaching when you are climbing in and out of the truck bed - a small detail that adds up over the course of a long workday.

The front crossbar includes a full-width wind foil that runs the entire width of the bar. This is notably better than the partial-width deflectors on some other racks, and it makes a real difference in reducing wind noise at highway speed.

Available accessories include an adjustable mid crossbar (and you can add multiple to suit your load), a ratchet strap system that integrates into the rack for tying down cargo, and a window guard that attaches to the front feet and functions as a headache rack to protect the rear glass from shifting cargo.

For longer bed trucks, The Pro Rack is also available with forklift-loadable side channels. These channels have a lower profile cutout that allows forks to slide in underneath, load material, and pull back out cleanly. This option is not available on the 5.5-foot short bed F-150 due to space constraints, but it is available across most other full-size truck bed configurations and is worth considering if you regularly take deliveries by forklift at a supply yard.

The Pro Rack is also compatible with truck caps and service bodies, not just standard open bed pickups, so it works across a wider range of truck configurations than a basic open-bed rack.

Who the Pro Rack Is Built For

Contractors, tradespeople, and anyone running a full-size work truck who hauls ladders, pipe, or lumber regularly and wants a rack that is built to last the life of the truck. The Pro Rack is not the cheapest rack on the market, but it is built to a noticeably higher standard than generic universal racks in terms of material quality, corrosion protection, tie-down versatility, and fitment precision. The three-year Holman warranty is also worth noting - and it only applies if you purchase from an authorized Holman retailer, which Upfit Supply is.

• 2-inch primary tubing for a more substantial, rigid structure
• Vehicle-specific sizing for crew, super, and regular cab configurations
• Zinc coating plus marine-grade polyester powder coat, 10,000-hour salt spray tested
• All hardware is galvanized
• No-drill or drill-through installation options, both hardware sets included
• Multiple tie-down points running the full length of each upright
• Removable rear crossbar with pin-and-slot system for pallet loading
• Lower-position rear grab handle for easier bed access
• Full-width front wind foil included
• Optional: forklift-loadable side channels (not available on 5.5-ft short bed)
• Compatible with open bed pickups, truck caps, and service bodies
• Three-year Holman warranty through authorized retailers

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Holman advertise a specific weight capacity for the Pro Rack?

No, and that is intentional. Holman's position is that the vehicle's own load rating is the limiting factor, not the rack itself. The Pro Rack is designed to be the strongest part of the system, so you work within your truck's specifications.

Can one person install this rack?

The ground assembly can be done solo. The lifting step requires a second person. The assembled rack is over 150 lbs and awkward to maneuver onto the truck safely, so plan for at least two people for installation.

Is the no-drill installation as secure as drilling through the bed rail?

The stake pocket and bed clamp combination is secure for most applications. The rear stake pocket mount included with the Pro Rack adds meaningful stability beyond a basic clamp. If maximum security is the priority, the drill-through option is available and all hardware for both methods is included.

What is the forklift-loadable side channel option?

It is an alternate side channel design with a cutout that allows forklift forks to slide under material, load it onto the rack, and pull back out cleanly. Available on most full-size bed configurations except the 5.5-foot F-150 short bed.

Does The Pro Rack warranty cover all retailers?

No. The three-year Holman warranty is only valid when purchased from an authorized Holman retailer. Upfit Supply is an authorized retailer. If you are buying elsewhere, confirm authorized status before purchasing.

Find the right Holman Pro Rack configuration for your truck at Upfit Supply.