Truck bed racks
A bed rack turns a pickup into an overland rig without giving up the bed. Carry a tent, fuel, boards and bikes up top while tools and totes ride underneath. We help match the height and mounting to your truck and install it.
Two decks from one truck bed
On a pickup, the bed is the obvious place for camp gear, but tossing everything in leaves a jumbled pile that is hard to reach. A bed rack adds a second level. The top deck handles long and bulky items or a roof top tent, and the bed below stays open for coolers, drawers and firewood.
Compared with a roof rack on the cab, a bed rack usually carries more, keeps the load lower on the chassis and leaves the cab roof clear. For midsize trucks like the Tacoma and Gladiator, it is the most common foundation for a build.
Pick the height first
The rack's height decides what fits under it, and what it can carry on top. Most bed racks come in three general heights, and some are adjustable.
Rail height
Sits just above the bed rails. It is the least visible and the quietest, and it keeps a tent low. The trade-off is limited room underneath, and a tent at this height may not open past the cab without a clearance check.
Mid height
Splits the difference, with room for tall totes and a fridge in the bed. A good all-around choice when you carry gear top and bottom but don't need to span the cab.
Cab height
Level with the cab roof. Tents can fold out over the cab, and long items can run the full length of the truck if a roof rack sits at the same height. It adds the most wind and the most height.
Adjustable uprights
Some racks let you change height between trips, running low day to day and raising it for camp.
Where the weight actually goes
Everything on a bed rack eventually lands on the bed rails and the bed walls under them. That is why mounting matters as much as the rack's own rating.
Clamp mounts
Clamps grip the bed rail with no drilling, which makes the rack easy to remove. They must be torqued correctly and checked, since vibration on gravel roads can loosen them.
Stake pockets and bed tracks
Some racks anchor in the stake pockets or bolt to factory or aftermarket bed rail tracks. These spread the load into stronger areas of the bed and hold position well.
Bolt-through mounts
A few designs bolt through the bed rail itself. They are the most solid option, but they mean permanent holes, so we talk that through before installing one.
Ratings and payload
A rack's dynamic rating covers the load while driving, and a higher static rating covers a parked tent with people inside. Both sit inside the truck's own payload, which the door jamb sticker lists.
Midsize payload adds up quickly
Payload varies more by trim than most buyers realize. On a 2024 Jeep Gladiator, Stellantis lists roughly 950 to 1,000 pounds for the Willys and about 1,200 pounds for the Rubicon, with the Sport reaching 1,725 pounds only in its Max Tow configuration. That figure has to cover the driver, passengers, the rack, a tent, water and everything in the 5-foot bed. Write down each weight and total it before choosing a rack and tent, not after.
When a loaded truck sits low in back, the answer is support rated for the load rather than simply more lift. Load-assist air bags level the truck when the rack and tent are on and let back down for the daily drive, while heavier springs suit a truck that stays loaded all the time. MetalCloak's Rocklander suspension for the 2025-and-newer Tacoma is designed for trucks carrying tents, bed racks and recovery gear, and our lift kit page covers other options.
Tonneau covers, toppers and tents
Tonneau covers. Some bed racks are designed to work with certain roll-up, folding or retractable covers, often by mounting in a way that leaves the rail clear for the cover's frame. Others need the rail space the cover already uses. Retractable covers with a T-slot track in the side rails are the cleanest match: the rack bolts into the track, and the cover still rolls open and closed underneath it. Tell us which cover you have, or want, and we will check the rack maker's compatibility before ordering.
Roof top tents. Confirm that the rack's static rating covers the tent plus sleepers, that the crossbars line up with the tent's mounting channels, and that the tent can open without hitting the cab. More on that on our roof top tent page.
Keeping the bed usable. Leave enough height under the crossbars for your tallest bin, keep the tailgate path clear and plan tie-down points on the bed floor. A rack that blocks the gear you reach for every stop gets taken off.
Width, height and rocky roads
Bed racks usually stay inside the width of the truck, so they rarely catch branches the way oversized side loads do. Height is the bigger question. A cab-height rack with a tent on a lifted truck can brush low limbs on tight forest roads, and the rock gardens on Middle St. Vrain make a top-heavy rig rock side to side. Keep heavy items low in the bed and use the rack for lighter, bulky gear. Mounts for traction boards, jacks and lights bolt to most platforms; see recovery gear and lighting.
upTOP Overland TRUSS bed racks
Our bed rack of choice is the upTOP Overland TRUSS, from a local company based in Castle Rock, Colorado. It is built from aluminum, so it carries a tent and gear without adding the weight of a steel rack to your payload, and it fits most midsize and full-size trucks, including the Tacoma, Tundra, Gladiator, Colorado, Ranger, F-150 and Ram.
The TRUSS comes in mid height, full height and variable height, plus versions built to work with a soft tonneau cover or a Diamondback hard cover, and a universal bed bar kit for trucks without a direct-fit rack. That covers almost every setup we see. If you already own a different rack, we can still install it.
Price comes down to the height, the cover version and what goes on the rack at the same visit, like a tent, awning or light wiring. We quote your truck before ordering, and after parts arrive the truck typically gets into a bay within about a week. Drop off Monday to Friday between 9 and 4, or ask about an early or late handoff.
Bed rack FAQ
What bed rack do you install?
We install the upTOP Overland TRUSS, from Castle Rock, Colorado. It is an aluminum bed rack available in mid, full and variable heights for most midsize and full-size trucks. If you already have a different rack, we can install that too.
Can I still use my truck bed with a bed rack?
Yes. The bed stays open underneath. Pick a height that clears your tallest cargo, and the tailgate works as usual.
Will a bed rack work with my tonneau cover?
Often, yes. upTOP Overland makes TRUSS versions built to work with soft tonneau covers and with Diamondback hard covers. For other covers, we check the published fitment for both the rack and the cover before ordering.
Is a bed rack strong enough for a roof top tent?
Most overland bed racks are built for it. Check that the static rating covers the tent and everyone sleeping in it, and that the dynamic rating covers the tent while driving.
Do I need to drill my bed?
Not usually. Many racks clamp on or use stake pockets or bed tracks. Bolt-through designs do need holes, and we go over that with you first.
Should I upgrade suspension with a bed rack?
If a loaded truck sags in back, yes. Heavier-rate rear springs or an overland-oriented suspension kit keep the truck level with gear on board.
What customers say
5.0 from 46 Google reviews
Zack made a great recommendation on the Old Man Emu overland suspension for my 2021 Ford Ranger. Also on the installation. Truck rides and handles great.
Great job repairing my rear tire mount.
Zach did an excellent job replacing my Jeeps ball joints. Very satisfied with the joints he suggested and the work that was done.
Zach did some suspension work on my truck and it came out great, he was quick and the price was fair. Will definitely be back for more work in the future.
Zach was insanely helpful. He handled a pretty out of the box request with ease. I will recommend him to anyone in the area or passing through!
I had a great experience at Off Camber 4x4 as Zach is a true professional and pleasure to work with. He went above and beyond getting all hardware snugged up even though it wasn’t in the estimate - with being a late request made when I dropped off the truck. Additionally, Off Camber’s shop not only provided the most reasonable price out of the four estimates I received, they were the ONLY shop that recommended a follow up inspection for the type of service I had done. They installed a leveling kit, control arms, rear shocks, dual exhaust system, and a trailer receiver along with including the complementary inspection at 500 miles to make sure everything was still tight.
I had some Rubicon takeoff springs installed on my Wrangler JL Sport 2 door. It was awesome to watch Zach work. He took time to torque everything properly and still completed the job in a very timely fashion. It was a great experience!
Amazing experience. I needed to improve lighting on my truck and Zach provided excellent recommendations, found all the parts online for a good price, did excellent work and all for a very reasonable price. I'm definitely coming back. Highly recommend to everyone!
Add a bed rack to your truck
upTOP Overland bed rack installs in Windsor, CO, for pickups from Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland and across Northern Colorado.