For North Iowa contractors, landscapers and small-business crews, the trailer is a rolling workshop. Ladders, trimmers, fuel cans and hand tools ride along on every job, and how they are stored affects both the tools and the safety of the drivers around them. A common question heading into the season is simple: What types of trailer racks are available for contractors?
What types of trailer racks are there?
Trailer racks fall into a handful of practical categories. Ladder racks hold extension and step ladders flat or upright so they do not slide. Tool racks hold shovels, rakes, saws and other long-handled equipment. Trimmer and backpack blower racks cradle outdoor power equipment so heads and shafts stay off the floor. Fuel and lubricant can racks keep containers upright and separated from other gear. Wall-style shelf kits add storage for enclosed trailers, and stake pocket racks and tie downs give open trailers and truck beds secure anchor points.
Rack’em MFG, a maker of racks and accessories for people who haul equipment to job sites, lists racks for hand tools, saws, weed trimmers, fuel and lubricant cans, shovels, ladders and backpack sprayers, along with wheel locks for mowers and wall shelf kits. That breadth reflects how varied a contractor’s load really is.
How do you choose between open and enclosed trailers?
Open trailers are simple and easy to load, but tools sit exposed to weather and road debris, so racks need durable finishes and secure grips. Enclosed trailers protect equipment from rain and theft, which makes interior racks and shelf kits the better fit. Many crews run both, with one rack setup for each.
Three questions help narrow the choice:
- What do you carry most days: ladders, trimmers, fuel or a mix?
- Does the rack mount to rails, walls or stake pockets on your trailer?
- How quickly do you need to reach each tool at the job site?
Are there legal basics for towing in Iowa?
Racks organize cargo, but the trailer connection comes first. Under Iowa Code section 321.462, when one vehicle tows another, the drawbar or main connection must be strong enough to pull the full weight being towed and must be attached to the towing vehicle’s frame in a way that prevents sideways swaying. The statute also requires a safety chain, fastened so it can hold the towed vehicle if the main connection fails. Readers with specific questions about their own rig should check the full text of the code or ask the Iowa Department of Transportation.
What should crews check before leaving the yard?
A short routine goes a long way: confirm the hitch and coupler are latched, attach the safety chain, test the lights, and make sure every tool sits in its rack or is strapped down. Reload heavy items toward the front of the trailer, and look over racks for loose bolts or rust before the season starts.
Planning ahead for 2026
With harvest wrapping up and winter projects on the horizon, now is a sensible time to review how a trailer is set up. Taking a few minutes to match the right rack to each tool protects the equipment, speeds up job-site setup and keeps loads secure on the road. In that spirit, Rack’em MFG offers a useful starting point for comparing the rack types that suit different crews.