Ford Transit low vs medium vs high roof ladder racks

Ford's current Transit, from 2015 on, is sold in Canada as a low roof, a medium roof or a high roof. That roof height is the first thing we ask for, along with the year and the wheelbase, because the mount and, on some lines, the colour listing, are tied to it.

The three roofs in our catalog

Our fitment data lists these 2015 and newer Transit roofs:

• Low roof, including 130 in and 148 in wheelbases.
• Medium roof, including 130 in and 148 in wheelbases.
• High roof, including 148 in wheelbase and 148 in extended.

We do not list a high roof on the 130 in wheelbase, and we do not list an extended body on the low or medium roof. If your door sticker does not match those combinations, send us a photo and we will check before anything is ordered.

If you are unsure which roof you have, stand in the cargo area. A high roof is the one most people can stand up in. A low roof is the shortest. The medium roof sits in between. The driver's door jamb sticker is the reliable source. Our measuring guide walks through that sticker and a simple wheelbase measurement.

Which rack lines cover which roofs

The H1 ladder rack for Ford Transit (2015+) is the most flexible. The product note states that it fits low, medium and high roof Transits. You can pick 2 or 3 bars, steel or aluminum, black or white, and a rear roller. Load ratings are 500 lb for a 2-bar kit and 750 lb for a 3-bar kit, within your roof limit.

The GFY heavy duty 3-bar steel rack is listed for the Transit high roof and the Transit medium roof. Black is listed for the high roof and white for the medium roof. A low roof Transit is not on the GFY Transit list in our catalog, so for a low roof we point you to H1 or H3 instead of assuming a GFY kit will fit.

The H3 aluminum 3-bar rack is listed for the 2015 and newer Transit. Kits are built for one van so the mounts land where that roof expects them. We confirm the roof height before we order an H3, just as we do on the other lines.

A rear door hook-on access ladder is listed separately for the Transit low, medium and high roof, so the ladder length can be matched to the doors you have.

What changes from a low roof to a high roof

The van gets taller, and so does the climb to the rack. That is why a rear hook-on ladder is worth a close look on a medium or high roof, and why a rear roller is popular when you would rather not lift a ladder over the side at height. The rack capacity itself, on H1 and H3, is still set by the number of mounts (125 lb each), not by the roof height. The van's own roof limit still applies, and a low roof does not automatically get a lighter rating from us.

Colour and material are down to taste and use. Steel H1 and GFY racks are the everyday choice for hard use. Aluminum H1 and H3 racks save weight and keep a cleaner line. Black is the usual work finish. White is listed and is often chosen to sit closer to a white van.

How to order with the right roof

Use the fitment finder on the shop or Ford Transit page, or send a quote request with the year, roof height and wheelbase. If you only know one of those, include a photo of the door sticker. We confirm all three before the order is placed. Prices are in CAD plus HST. Pickup is in Vaughan, or we can deliver, typically in 5 to 7 business days. Installation is available by appointment.