Do I need a headache rack?

[MojaveJoe]

If I had a headache, I guess it might help , but Id know for sure if someone would explain what a "headache rack" is?



Ive seen this term used before but still don't have a clue.



Could someone please enlighten me? Are there any other names this accessory goes by?



TIA



Joe

 

[mbaston]

cab protector... covers the back of the cab. .

 

[gpeddicord]

www.protech.net, cool ones

 

[EEngel]

Headache rack

If you are married it's a pair of headphones turned all the way up on a purely static channel.....

 

[PPeters]

Try these guys too, pricey, nice stuff, you get what you pay for...



www.800toolbox.com



Pat

 

[DPelletier]

Highly recommended if your carrying loose heavy items in the bed. In the event of an accident, these items can become projectiles and enter the cab through the rear window. Assuming that someone is struck by such an object, they can then cause a severe "headache". Hence the term.



Dave

 

[KHogan]

Try J&J Enterprises in CA... hand-made from S/S... . extremely pricey, fairly long lead-time due to hand-made fab, but you get what you pay for. If you can find prettier and better made (especially for less money), buy it and let me know, LOL!

 

[John - K5AWO]

The term is old pipeliners verbage that was accepted everywhere real quick.



It allowed the oilfield trucks to carry long lengths of pipe stacked up over the cab of the truck. If it weren't there, you would get a terrible headache on the first big bump when the pipe crashed down thru the roof of the cab.



The oilfield and ranchers quickly added the sunshades in the back to keep the solar rays off the neck. Pipeliners generally reinforced their headache racks with thick expanded metal for the very reason mentioned just previously. Anything loose, or even chained down... . quickly becomes a projectile when the truck suddenly stops.



I have witnessed a pipeline truck crossing ranch lands and inadvertantly dropping the front axle down into a small gully the driver did not see because of high grass. (Driver won the Darwin Award)



The pipe on the back of the flatbed went thru the expanded metal into the cab. Luckily over his head because his head was buried below the steering wheel. How his head got there is a mystery.

 

[DHayden]

Back in 90' a guy I worked with went off the road, toolbox came right through the back window and killed him. Such a shame he went like that.

 

[John - K5AWO]

I can understand why the box would do that.



All to many of them are bolted down to the bed with small 1/4" bolts with only washers and nuts below the bed top rail.



Tears out in a hurry when the truck stops fast. Especially with a few tow chains, sledgehammer, hand tools, jack, etc..... Say 300+ pounds all holding on to 4 little 1/4" thru bolts.



Not too smart or forward thinking. :Oo

 

[rbattelle]

I'm thinking of getting one of these.

 

[John - K5AWO]

That Back Rack is a great looking accessory.



I have one negative comment on it though. The footprint where it attaches to the box. Way too small for the reasons mentioned above if the truck underneath the Back Rack comes to a sudden stop AND there is something in the bed that has just became a projectile- it will keep on going and move that rack forward at the top big time.



If the appearance is the only item of concern. Go for it! I like the looks of it.

 

[PJereb]

Does anybody have an idea of how much a Pro-tech or a Highway Products cab protector is?



How about a good place to buy either from?



I know that they are probably in the $500-$900 range, so any retailer that will give a bit of a discount would help.



Thanks,

Peter

 

[bmoeller]

I'm sure you are right on with the price range.



I know www.iowa80.com sells Pro-tech. They think VERY highly of the aluminum products. :--) Spendy. Their "cheap one" is something like $400 for a pick-up.

 

[PJereb]

Cool,

I am going to call around tomorow. Highway products is only an hour and a half away from my parents place, and I am also going to call up about the Pro-Tech unit. I prefer the way the HP unit looks, and I could go pick it up, which would save some $$



Peter

 

[VTomasso]

I use a "Back Rack". They are meant to be more functional than pretty. There are numerous brackets and light bar adapters available and the price is reasonable. (about $260 for the basic unit)



If I can find their website, I'll post it here.

 

[PJereb]

Well, I called up Highway products in White City Oregon



$395. 00



That isn't that bad! I am going to pick one up late this month when I get up to Oregon.





http://www.800toolbox.com



Here is a picture from their website, I like the looks, and the fact that I can drop a load of bark or dirt with no worries.



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