Ladder Tiedown "Rabbit Ear"
Ladder Tiedown "Rabbit Ear"
The TRUKD Ladder Tiedown "Rabbit Ear" is a pair of 3/16" aluminum brackets that capture an RTT ladder rail — or any round-tube or flat-sided object — against a TRUKD T Series crossbar. Mounts in two orientations: tall (upright, for round-tube ladder rails and similar round-shaft objects) or short (lower profile, for flat-sided cargo, boards, or thin gear). Two brackets per pack with 8× ¼-20 bolts and T-nuts. Lifetime warranty. Made in Pittsburgh, PA.
Fits TRUKD T Series crossbars and any rack using 1530-series extrusion or a single T-slot profile. Non-TRUKD rack users need to source T-nuts for their own extrusion. Note: these use ¼-20 hardware — not the metric hardware used on some other TRUKD accessories, so don't mix hardware between kits.
Pairs with the Rack Mounted Ratchet Strap for the full tiedown system: Rabbit Ears hold the ladder laterally, the Ratchet Strap cinches it longitudinally. Includes: 2× brackets, 8× ¼-20 bolts + T-nuts.
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Overview
Two 3/16" aluminum brackets designed to hold an RTT ladder or similar round-tube object laterally against a TRUKD T Series crossbar. Two mounting orientations (tall and short) cover both round-shaft and flat-sided cargo.
Key features
- Two brackets per pack — one per side of the ladder or object
- Two orientations: tall (round-tube ladder rails, kayak paddle shafts) / short (flat-sided boards, gear)
- Fits TRUKD T Series crossbars and any 1530-series extrusion or single-T-slot rack
- ¼-20 hardware included — 8 bolts and T-nuts per pack
- Pairs with the Ratchet Strap for a complete lateral + longitudinal RTT ladder hold
- Lifetime warranty, Made in USA
Use cases
Primary use: RTT ladder tiedown. Mount one bracket on each crossbar station with the ladder rail seated in the tall orientation, then run the Ratchet Strap over the top for longitudinal retention. For transporting kayak paddle shafts, the tall orientation works the same way — round shaft seats in the bracket channel just like a ladder rung. In the short orientation, the bracket works as a raised lip stop for flat boards, lumber, traction boards, or rolled sleeping pads.
- Bracket material: 3/16" aluminum
- Finish: Textured black powder coat
- Quantity: 2 brackets per pack
- Mounting orientations: Tall (round-tube capture) / Short (flat-sided, lower profile)
- Hardware: 8× ¼-20 bolts + T-nuts (SAE — not compatible with metric TRUKD hardware)
- Mount type: T-slot bolt-on, any position on crossbar
- Compatible racks: TRUKD T Series; any 1530-series extrusion or single-T-slot rack
- Note (non-TRUKD racks): Buyer must source T-nuts sized for their extrusion profile
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Manufactured: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Included: 2× brackets, 8× ¼-20 bolts and T-nuts
What does "tall vs. short orientation" mean — are there two different bracket shapes, or does the same bracket flip?
The same bracket mounts in two positions. In the tall orientation it stands upright with the capture zone higher off the crossbar, which works best for round-tube objects like ladder rails or paddle shafts. In the short orientation the bracket lies lower, acting more like a raised lip for flat-sided objects or boards. TRUKD's product page doesn't include a diagram, so if orientation matters for your specific application, contact TRUKD at 412-206-1764 before ordering.
Which RTT ladder brands actually fit?
TRUKD confirms the brackets are designed for RTT ladders but doesn't publish a compatibility list by brand. The key dimension is the ladder rail diameter or width — the bracket needs to capture it cleanly in whichever orientation you choose. If you're buying for a specific tent brand (iKamper, Roofnest, 23Zero, etc.), confirm ladder rail dimensions with TRUKD before purchasing.
Do I need the Ratchet Strap as well, or are these enough on their own?
The Rabbit Ears provide lateral retention only — they hold the ladder from moving side to side. For full security on the highway, you need longitudinal retention too (front-to-back). TRUKD's Rack Mounted Ratchet Strap ($71) provides that. The two-product system is the intended setup: Rabbit Ears lateral, Ratchet Strap longitudinal.
Why ¼-20 hardware instead of metric?
The ¼-20 (SAE) spec is what TRUKD chose for this bracket. It's important to note this is different from the metric hardware used on some other TRUKD accessories — don't try to substitute metric T-nuts from a different TRUKD kit, they won't thread correctly.
Can these hold flat cargo like lumber, traction boards, or surfboards?
In the short orientation, yes — the bracket acts as a raised stop for flat-sided objects. TRUKD's language covers "similar gear" beyond RTT ladders. Traction boards (MAXTRAX, TRED Pro) are a natural fit. Surfboards and longboards depend on whether the board's edge profile seats cleanly in the short orientation; confirm with TRUKD for critical applications.