You probably already have your tonneau cover in place. Tonneau covers by themselves are very efficient and work pretty well for protecting your cargo. It helps you to keep the items on your truck bed safe, secure, and protected from the elements. But we have something even better for you. You might want to take a look at the Tonneau cover with rack system.
Our top picks for tonneau cover can help you pull the trigger on the right cover
The most common question we get is how is a rack system better? Well, a tonneau cover with a rack system gives you multiple hauling options for large items. Truck owners love this combination and you will love it too. At Beyond the Raptor we provide information on upgrades and accessories like this so that you can choose the best option for you. Let’s move on and explore more information about Tonneau Cover with rack.
What is a Truck Rack?
A truck bed rack is a set of steel and aluminum rods attached to the body of the truck bed. Installing a truck bed rack usually gives you more cargo-carrying capacity. More simply, it extends your cargo space. In general, a truck bed rack is used to carry different cargo types like a toolbox, bikes, snowboard ladders, rooftop tents, and much more.
A truck rack allows you to transport cargo that is potentially larger than your truck bed size. There are many types of truck bed racks which also include racks compatible with tonneau covers. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of having truck bed racks.
Benefits of having a Tonneau Cover with Rack System On Your Truck
If you do not already have a rack system you are missing out on a lot of benefits.
They protect the outer shell of your truck
It might seem like truck racks do not provide much protection, but they do. When you are carrying cargo larger than your truck bed, you do not have to worry about them extending out and hitting the back of the cab. you can carry lots of cargo without worrying about damaging the back windows and chipping off paint.
They provide extra cargo space
This is an obvious benefit of installing truck racks. You get more cargo space so you can stack up all the cargo securing it with the rack system to keep it from falling out. In case you have large cargo like ladders or snowboards you obviously cannot keep them on your truck bed with your tailgate open to create more space. Carrying these types of cargo becomes easier with a truck rack. You can store them above the cab of the truck, securely tied to the rack without risk to vehicles behind the truck.
They provide rollover protection
A truck rack can provide protection for the back of your truck in case of a rollover. Truck racks are made with heavy-duty materials so they can easily withstand the stress of a rollover and avoid crumbling. In the event of a rollover, these racks will limit the chances of your cab head collapsing and the back window breaking. All in all, truck racks can protect the driver from potential injury in case of a rollover.
They improve the aesthetics of your truck
Finally, having a truck bed rack instantly gives your truck a rugged look.
Which Tonneau Covers with Rack System work with Truck Racks?
Tonneau covers come with their own benefits and most truck owners love them. If a truck rack is paired with a tonneau cover the combination is even better. If you are a truck owner who wants to protect your bed cargo along with adding some extra top cargo space this is exactly the combination you would want for your truck.
Not all tonneau covers are compatible with truck racks. We will help you know which truck racks can be used on your truck bed if you already have a tonneau cover installed.
The first rule you have to follow to make this combination work is that you must use a tonneau cover that mounts between your bed rails. If you have a tonneau cover that sits all the way across your bed rails, the access to the stake hole pockets will be blocked. This will prevent you from installing a rack. Examples of these types of covers include the good majority of soft-folding tonneau covers and most roll-up covers.
Compatible Truck Bed Racks Manufacturers
Elevate Rack System
Starting with our first choice we have the Elevate Rack System. This bed rack was designed to be compatible with, and allow the full function of the majority of inside mount tonneau covers. In the case of trucks that do not have T-Slot rails, you can purchase both an Elevate rack and a set of Elevate TSlot rails for the rack to mount. Tonneau covers like RetraxPRO XR and Roll-N-Lock XT have a built-in T-slot so you will not need rails if you have these. These truck bars have a heavy-duty construction with durable, powder-coated aluminum and are capable of carrying up to 500 lbs. while on the road, and 250 lbs. while off-roading. Most importantly the Elevate rack system allows the tonneau covers to function fully while folding or rolling.
ADARAC Aluminum Series racks
Other Option would be Access ADARAC Aluminum Series racks. Like most bed racks these are compatible with a majority of roll-up and retractable tonneau covers. These can be easily installed in your truck’s stake hole pockets. This will leave the bed rails free for the tonneau cover. The Access ADARAC bed racks are made of durable aluminum and have a 500 lbs weight capacity. It also gives you easy truck bed access while loading or unloading cargo.
Putco Venture TEC Rack
Our next choice for compatible racks is Venture TEC Rack by Putco . This particular bed truck rack has a Lightweight and strong all 6061 t6 aluminum construction. If you are in favor of Overlanding trips then this is the best option for you. Most importantly this truck rack comes with multiple mounting channels for mounting cargo like fuel cans, light bars, water cans, and much more.
ProRac STR Soft Tonneau Cover Rack
Our final choice is for truck owners with soft tonneau covers. It is the ProRac STR Soft Tonneau Cover Rack that works with over-the-rail soft tonneau covers. This rack is compatible with many well known brands of tonneau covers like Lund, TruXedo, and Extang. These bed racks are manufactured from durable aluminum and have a 300lb weight capacity. Thus it is a great solution if you are planning to carry kayaks, wood, ladders, and other large items that won’t fit in the truck bed.
Final take on Tonneau Cover With A Rack System
Truck bed racks and tonneau covers are definitely very useful aftermarket upgrades that every truck owner must have if they are looking to secure their cargo and get some extra cargo space. Particularly, if you are an off-roader or own a cargo business you will know the importance of tonneau cover with a rack system.
We have mentioned our favorites and provided links for our top choice truck bed racks. You can click on the links to get more details about warranty, price, and product dimensions. You might also end up getting free shipping on a purchase.
Let us know your views on tonneau covers with rack systems and which bed rack has worked the best for you. Do not forget to share this article with truck buddies. Also, tell us in the comments below what you want to read next! For more automotive content on trucks and off-roading, check out our page, Beyond The Raptor.
Check out our top picks for bed covers on your f150 for more tonneau cover details
