The Merritt Hose Rack Advantage
Keeping air, electrical and hydraulic hoses tidy isn’t just about appearance—kinks, abrasion and unplanned disconnections can shut a rig down. Merritt Aluminum Products offers two purpose-built hose-rack families (standard and …
Keeping air, electrical and hydraulic hoses tidy isn’t just about appearance—kinks, abrasion and unplanned disconnections can shut a rig down. Merritt Aluminum Products offers two purpose-built hose-rack families (standard and heavy-duty) that turn the space behind the cab into a secure, highly adaptable service bay. Below, we break down what sets Merritt hose racks apart and how the brand’s modular add-ons—base trays and fitting boxes—let you build exactly the system your operation needs.
1. Engineered Strength Without the Weight
Both the standard Hose Rack (SKU 3513/3683) and the Heavy-Duty Hose Rack (SKU 6313) are built from premium aluminum alloys, using an I-beam foot or upright design that delivers robust support while keeping tare weight to a minimum. Aluminum’s corrosion resistance means no rust bleed-through on polished tanks or deck plates, and the heavy-duty model is static-load tested to 1,000 lb—more than enough headroom for coiled hoses, glad-hands and chain binders.
2. Built-In Modularity Saves Bed Space
A Merritt hose rack is more than two uprights and a top bar; the design anticipates add-ons that convert unused vertical real estate into productive storage.
| Add-On | How it Helps | Specs |
|---|---|---|
| Base Tray | Creates a flat deck between uprights for tie-down straps, small tools or aerosol cans you need at every stop. | 2 ¾″ H × 22 ⅝″ D × 30 ¼″ L, 10 lb Merritt Products |
| Fitting Box | A compartment welded between uprights; stops quick-couplers, adapters and air-line spares from disappearing under the cab. | 13 ½″ H × 8 ⅝″ D × 33 ½″ L, 27 lb Merritt Products |
Because the uprights are pre-drilled, both accessories bolt straight in—no field drilling or guess-work. Need extra storage later? Add the tray or box without removing the rack.
3. Two Heights, One Footprint
Standard racks ship in two overall heights—46 ¾ in. and 86 in.—so operators can match rack height to cab-over fairings, bulkheads or hard-side van roofs without sacrificing ground clearance. The heavy-duty rack keeps the full 86-inch profile but widens the stance to 80 ½ in. for extra hose spread and easier coil management on double-hose configurations.
4. Fast, Frame-Friendly Installation
A purpose-built mounting kit (Order # 3502) uses U-bolts and formed brackets to secure the rack to the frame—no need for torch or mag-drill work that can weaken rails or void OEM warranties. Install time typically runs under two hours with normal shop tools, and the entire assembly is removable if you trade or re-purpose the chassis.
5. Lifetime Value for Fleets & Owner-Operators
- Reduced hose attrition: By keeping lines elevated and separated, operators report fewer cracked gladhands and electrical pigtails.
- Faster inspections: Mechanics get unobstructed access to airlines and service valves; DOT walk-arounds take minutes instead of hunting for snags under the trailer deck.
- Lower total cost of ownership: Aluminum construction shrugs off road salt and chemical de-icers, limiting repaint cycles and mid-life replacements common with powder-coated steel racks.
- Dealer stocking & lead-time: Merritt hose racks and accessories are stocked in regional warehouses for rapid delivery through an established dealer network, minimizing downtime when a rack is damaged or a new truck hits the fleet.
6. Spec Your System in Three Quick Steps
- Choose the rack:
- Light-duty (33 ½″ width) for standard hose sets.
- Heavy-duty (80 ½″ width, 1,000 lb test) for logging, frac or lowboy applications.
- Select accessories:
- Base Tray for open storage.
- Fitting Box for lockable parts security.
- Mounting Kit for no-weld frame attachment.
- Confirm height & clearance:
Measure cab roof to frame rail; select 46 ¾″ or 86″ to keep hoses above trailer swing-radius while clearing aero fairings.
Your Merritt dealer can walk you through part numbers and check fitment against wheelbase, frame spacing and PTO layouts.
Ready to Upgrade?
Whether you’re an owner-operator tired of kinked airlines or a fleet maintenance manager standardizing spec across new tractors, the Merritt Hose Rack platform delivers a lightweight, modular answer that grows with your operation. Explore the full lineup of racks, trays and fitting boxes on the Hose Racks category page or download the latest catalog for load-test data and installation diagrams.
Choose Merritt—because keeping hoses organized shouldn’t be a heavy lift.
