OK guys. Here it is. You all know I have the propensity to go on and on about any given subject, and I certainly will, but this time I honestly need your help. It's about this project I've been working on with my brother. www.worldwideje.com

For over a year now we have been working on the design and manufacturing end of this great product. We call the system Jet Rack. It's a truly unique tool for organization of any fleet vehicle that has a regular use for an A - frame ladder. We designed it to work with ladders from 2 feet and longer. We all know the 6 footer is king, but we also know people will want to use it with 4 and 8 foot ladders and that's NO problem at all. The same unit and equipment is designed to handle all these types of ladders.

Please check out our very BASIC web site we threw together, and if you CAN... ... Check out the 2 second video clips showing it in use. I for one know it's an awesome product, as do many other people. We've been using the prototypes in our own vehicles for a couple of year without a mechanical failure.

For those of you browsing the web site, you may not realize that the ladders can ALSO be mounted vertically with the same speed and efficiency. This allows for several ladders to be mounted inside (clean, dry, secure, no UV damage) a vehicle side by side. Great for any crew.

Even though we are fully patent protected by one of the largest and most capable law offices in the world, we couldn't provide great details about the product operation and appearance on the site at this time. I can sell you that it is designed to be a very attractive textured piece with a black powder coat with the words JET RACK to be sanded off and shining through. Lots of nice lines and curves, etc., will further the snazzy look.

The Jet Rack device is really something we have come to depend on for keeping organized and professional with all of our vehicles. In a full size van Like mine I can literally put two 6' foot ladders up on the interior ceiling where they never get in my way. I can also rotate them into the vertical position with a twist if I choose to. Keep in mind that I also have a lot of interior shelving, etc., making my space even more valuable. This unit can also be safely mounted inside ANY type of fiberglass cap or bed cover as well as an open frame truck.

Anyway. Those of you who have read my posts and ramblings on remotecentral.com over the years know quite well I could turn this into an epic novel, so I'll try to stay focused.

I'm asking for your help! We have been to 2 major hardware shows. (Chicago and Vegas), but at those time we were searching for interest, and a manufacturer who could handle the product. We have put a ton of work (and a lot of money) into this product, and wan to see it move along quickly now. The biggest problem we have right now is proving to our manufacturer that the market for this type of product exists. We are in the very final stages before the molds are machined for casting, and with a LOT of support we will see our first pieces in a few weeks.

Our manufacturer is highly capable and makes numerous components used on NEW vehicle and sells to some of the worlds largest OEM manufacturers that make caps and work truck body's for brand new work vehicles. The trouble is that they don't deal with a single item that is sold directly to end users through retail outlets. Next week we are going on a road trip to visit some of these OEM companies to get opinions and hopefully take a pre order of two. The trouble being that they don't understand the international interest we've had, and don't fully understand the size or interest of the existing vehicle market. They have NOT been with us to a show, and haven't seen the enthusiasm first hand.

We are at a critical point where time is of the essence, and further delay could really affect whether or not we are able to move into the production and distribution phase now, or if it will take longer and cost me more money than we can afford to spend. There is a general good (great) feeling about the product, but we have to convince each member of the manufacturers jury if you will that this product is not much of a gamble, and that it is actually a worthwhile product that will sell very well.

What I would really like is help from all of you to get the word out on this product. (Only if you think it's great!) If you can post this plea to other web site message boards, and so on and so on, you will honestly be helping us to finally realize a dream that's taken so much out of us. ALSO... Post here! Tell me what you think, where you've posted info, how much my temporary web site stinks!... Whatever, but please get the word out! I'll keep all of you posted as to the progress of the product and hopefully the story ends as a dream instead of a nightmare. Me and my brother both have wives, and well. Enough said.

In addition to getting the word out to other message boards, please get the word out to your suppliers, and distribution centers. The more that express interest the better! I have to go put in twenty something pairs of speakers in the morning, so I literally can't do all of this on my own. It's important to me, and it will give all of you a warm feeling to help me out. Really!

Please get this posting copied onto any and all trade related web sites you can think of... Keep in mind painters LOVE this as well. Share the information around the world... Contact the manufacturer if your are interested in buying or selling the product, or even if you just want to tell them you love the Jet Rack! Please write to me if you want to share any info or praise. We could potentially need an investor or two... Interested?

All of the contact info is on the site for anybody you would want to reach. Thank you again. And In case all of that doesn't work. Then you should send this post to at LEAST 3 other people within the next 10 minutes for good luck in your job. For example, Nathan W. of Derry, W. VA sent this to 10 people an in a day he landed a juicy contract that he thought was dead in the water. Jonathan H. from Fulton, CA on the other hand wasn't so lucky. He dismissed it, and within 48 hours he lost his keys, cell phone, AND wallet!

OK... Daniel, I hope you'll excuse my pushing this here... I think you can understand my situation, and besides that, it doesn't actually exist, so it's not really selling a product. Please forgive me. For Crying out loud I missed the CEDIA show for the first time in five years because of this!

Thanks for reading all of this... Now go to www.worldwideje.com Thanks! Oh, and then take action!

Oh yeah, and while the retail price is not yet set in stone, it should hopefully find it's way onto the shelves (in a small box) for $60-$80.

OK... It's not my longest post, but it's up there...

I could not get the video clips to play. The pictures for the 4 video clips never did appear on my computer. Is this a known problem on the website?

The idea sounds great, we all know that hauling and retrieving ladders can be a hassle. Good luck on this endeavor!

This message was edited by Sound Man on 09/17/04 15:33 ET.

Sorry about that Sound Guy. I know we've been having some issues with this service, I can generally get it open with my high speed connection in about 10 seconds, and longer with a regular modem, but it does work.

I'd be interested to know if anybody else has or has not been able to view these clips.

I have some other video and images hat really show how it's stored that I can link to in the future.

I can't get the video clips to open in a new screen but they will play if I double click them. This is on a windows XP computer. There is something not right with the clips.

That before pic looks like my van on a good day.

Interesting... but none of the pics or videos really show what makes this thing so different. You mentioned something about horizontal or vertical placement from the ceiling of the van... Does it hinge and then lock in either direction? If so, where do you want the check sent? Also, will it accomodate the "sliding" ladders like the gorrilla or tosco? (5 foot ladder that becomes either a 9' A frame or an 18' extension)

I gotta see more detailed pictures of how this thing can adjust for different ladders and positions. Trust me, I have ZERO interest in copying your idea... I don't want to do your hard work all over again! :) I do, however, need to determine if this would work for my vans.

Yep, this looks like a winner!

How much is it?

How does it attach...how big are the holes I have to drill in the roof of my van, or what is the alternative method?

Incidentally, I've got DSL and I am fifty feet from the telephone company switch. The second movie didn't load at all until I left the computer for a few minutes, and then I could only see half the static image. I made the mistake of scrolling the screen, and even that disappeared. Hmmmm.

I got everything to load up okay. Looks like a nice little product. I have the same few questions that Ernie Has.

How Much?

Not big on drilling holesin the top of the van.


Another shot of the actual jetrack "in action" would help I understand if you don't want to show it until you have patent taken care of. Maybe get a camera shot from the cab of the track looking into the bed. So we could see what's going on.

I didn't actually read your whole post, and I was thinking I would pay $50.00 to $80.00 for this thing. Then I was also thinking "this guy probably wants $150.00 to $200.00" Once I read the whole post I thought " at least he's not trying make a killing on each one.

I don't know if this will help you at all, in all of our vans we have racks each one of the racks have a company stamp on them that says ADRIAN STEEL they are located in Adrian, Michigan. These racks are actually made about 15 min from my house. I called them once when when I needed some more racks. They told me that they don't sell to the public. Companies send the vans to them and they outfit them. Maybe you could hookup with these guys to handle your product. They currently do Comcast, SBC, and a number of other companies in the surrounding areas. Like I said I don't know if that is what your looking for but maybe it will help. Good Luck.

And yes, that website needs help LOL

being too close to tha dsl switch can be a problem

Well, here's the good news.

The track is actually composed of a cut to length hanger strut 'Unistrut,' and it's available in a shallow 7/8" depth.

Neither of the trucks in the videos have holes drilled in the roof. Rather installation was done by running a 1/2" self tapping screw through 3 or 4 ribs in the ceiling. Even with curvature of the ceiling as in the van it rides smoothly.

I ended up tacking a weld on other side of my track in the van when I was doing some other welding in the van; however, the pick up is using the same self tapers into the aluminum frame.

With some proper washers and marine grade silicone, it is very safe and possible to mount these onto a fiberglass or steel cover.

Jay,

look good...wouldn't play the videos though

I'd buy one...

the blue on black is tough on the peepers!

Jay,

Sorry, I found one on the Internet for half what you are charging. The guy says he is a fully authorized dealer. ;-) :-)

Good luck with the product.

Again, and with respect to your patent protection concerns, I gotta see what (if anything) is different about your rack than something like this one:
[Link: haulerracks.com]

If it's really "all that and a bag of chips" I think you can really move these...

Or at least tell us what's different about it even if you can't yet show us.

Glad you asked.

Well, guys, it is actually a lot different from that one. Again, ours will hold multiple ladders in a vertical position, or a couple of ladders side by side or vertical. There are numerous simple set up options, and it just depends on how many JET RACK systems you purchase. One thing the retailers like is that the size of the actual box is small. Like a regular shoe box. (not even a boot box) That makes it easier to ship and stock.

At the shows we took it to we would have men and women use the JET RACK system on their own after a single demonstration that literally takes one-second. (Maybe a little less) Of course we would slow down to a rambling three or four seconds if it went too quickly for them.

We don't have any clasps, levers, etc., required to securely hold the ladder in place. It's literally held in place under adjustable and simple tension, and it's that tension that actually helps to eject the ladder out to the user. We didn't plan on it at the time, but the JET RACK device is surprisingly fun to use. (the tension also keeps the ladder from rattling and bouncing making noise under normal driving conditions).

Also, when the ladder is removed from the vehicle, There is no major framework left hanging in the van / pickup, etc., to get in your way of access to equipment, shelves etc. This is also good when loading your vehicle to the top with say... Twenty something pairs of speakers!

Our modular system, since it uses a stick of readily available hanger strut was very important to making it affordable. Since we don't have to ship or store a very long and heavy package we were able to keep the price affordable to everyone. We actually have people that want to use them in trailers, garages, and storage closets etc. I'm doubt that the other rack will be very close to ours in terms of pricing or ease of installation. The most demanding part of the installation being the cutting of the rail and attachment to the roof. That's it! One single piece. All of the other components mount to that rail.

Also, in terms of clearance, my ladders when stowed horizontally are less than 7" form the ribs on the roof towards the back, and a little lower up front since I like to rotate them into the vertical position depending on my cargo and access needs. The JET RACK system is only close to perfect. ;-)

We are actively working at locating interested ladder manufactures such at the ones mentioned above who would like to make their ladders even MORE 'JET RACK' friendly. For instance the top of a ladder could be formed specifically for use with our system allowing maximum holding force, and configuration options. We are also working on an accessory device that would allow you to hang other types of ladders and components. All with that patented JET RACK speed. Incidentally we call it the JET RACK because it uses our initials, and also because the ladder fly's UP and overhead. Clever huh?

The major components are vertically adjustable so that you can maximize you interior clearance based on what the dimensions of your ladder.

What else is there to say? Keep the questions coming? I like the positive feedback. Keep this link moving onto you friends and so on. We are truly the small guys. We've made it this far. We just need a little push since this type of product has never existed it's tough to get the higher ups to fully understanding how much people really want this.

Again were NOT showing all the details because other people have already seen it and really like it. We want to reduce the competition and the amount of legal battles we will have. For those of you interested. YES, we are also in the process of International filling, and no we aren't leaving anything to chance.

OK. I need to stop for a minute. Time to breathe.