Bed Rack advice

Starting to research, and I’m looking for pros AND cons of YOUR bed rack.

Looking to add maybe an RTT but I would at the very least carry my kayaks or pontoon boat. Possibly some lighting and an awning as well.

Give me your honest thoughts and thanks in advance. Cheers!

 

A lot of people make them and some are configurable for different applications. I would suggest this one. If you want to do one for a soft topper/best top make one that goes over that one as well. Will hold a RTT and other accessories very easily. @TaKoToy has the soft topper version and has had it loaded down with a lot of things added to it.
http://sosoffroadconcepts.com/lp-advantage-bedrack/

 

Do you have this one or are you just making the recommendation?

 

Making recommendations. Also know quite a few people with them and they work well.

 

Gotcha

 

Look for local fab shops near you with a bender and have some made. Had these made for my 2017 (sold) but getting ready to have some made for my 2015.

These were 19” above the side caps but I’ll probably do 17-18” next time.

 

Other then the height any cons to these?

 

They were perfect for yaks. You could of course add crossbars and other mounts. But they were easy to put on and take off when not needed. I’ll post a bunch of pics to give you a better idea.

 

Ive been very impressed with my KB VooDoo rack. Bought it and a RTT used earlier this spring. Been on several weekend and overnight trips with the setup. Most people on this forum seem to hate VooDoo racks, but so far mine has been good. Some rust, but its 4 years old and from the New England area so exactly what I would expect.

Bottom line every once in a while a used one pops up for a really good deal. If you can wait, I would recommend looking into them

 

I love my SOS aluminum softopper bedrack. I have had everything up there from a 250 pound RTT to maxxtracks, pelican cases ,scene light, cb antenna, 3rd brake light, 60 inch high lift, rotopax and a awning. It's one of those mods you dont regret. I think he is making a modular version as well. Keep in mind you cant fold down the softopper without dropping it from the center pin. The rack would have to be way too tall for that.

 

Takotoy, that's a sweet rig!

I've been wanting to do something like this for a while now. I would like the option for a RTT (waaay down the road), but mostly it would be for transporting a kayak and random things longer than the bed.
The other, is I'd like to leave in my UWS Toolbox to save space in the access cab.

 

I just installed my @Datin Metal Fabrication softopper bed rack recently. I like the modular looking racks versus standard bars. Great for my kayaks and bikes and possibly RTT in the future. Not many makes them for softopper but I would recommend DMF if you have a softopper. I went with a shortbed rack for my LB to have a more cleaner compact look. Easy install and many mounting options for accessories.

 

That looks sick. How much was it?

 

$950 shipped Bare steel. I rattlecan rustoleum bedlined it. My first choice was an all pro pack rack but they stop making it for softoppers. I couldn't find a local shop to make me a rack like BAMF and I didn't like the design of the KD VooDoo. I googled search and the DMF pic showed up and ended up getting theirs. I like the flow of the rack with the body and softtopper. I can still easily access the ST snaps to roll the sides up and the cheap generic bike racks install holes lined up perfectly.

 

I absolutely love my CBI rack. Steel. The main reasons I bought it was for its height (the shortest rack which would still allow side storage such as rotopax, etc.) and the looks. Personally I think it's the nicest looking rack out there. Unfortunately it's also probably the most expensive. But I continually keep loading crap on it and it has never once shown any signs of weakness.

I used to have Relentless bed bars, which I liked, but they did limit my bed storage, and I hated losing my rear view when the tent was on.

 

What bike rack did you use? And it looks like you have a special mounting plate where the fork attaches? Here's truck haha.

 

I have a set of Rola T3 racks I no longer use. Wish you were closer so I could try to talk you into them.

Pros: Light weight, strong enough for my needs which seem to match yours, fairly easy on and off using factory rail system.

Cons: Not adjustable height. I wish I'd found the type that can stay on the truck but drop a foot or so(Thule I think? Maybe others). These dont allow for a tonneau. Didnt have one when I bought but need it now so the racks are useless.