I don't understand the advantages of a Bed Rack

[NH-JT]

None of this fits in a 5’ bed.

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[Blade1668]

Well I use the two u channels I installed on the topper I put on my JT to haul conduit, boards and anything else to long to fit in bed. If I buy a taller ladder I use it to haul it. If I had not bought the topper I would have got a rack of some sort.

 

[tikijimmy]

I use a bed rack on my Overland Gladiator. I also have a hard bed cover I made to work under it (basically just plywood coated with bedliner)

I keep my roof tent mounted almost all the time, and the low bed rack keeps the tent even with the roofline, so there’s no hit to gas mileage. I specifically set the height between my bed cover and the bottom of the tent to fit the bins I use for camping gear. WhenI go out, I slide the bins between the bed cover and the tent and I’m good to go, the entire bed of the truck is still open for other things, if needed.

I altered the mounting of the bed rack so it locks into the trail rails. If I need a full pickup bed, I can unscrew 4 bolts and the whole tent/rack assembly comes off as one (someday I’ll get a winch mounted to the garage ceiling to lift it for me ?)

My truck needs are more plywood and lumber than anything, so this setup works for me. Even when fully in “camping mode”, I can still drop the tailgate and slide a ton of lumber in the bed.

 

[tysongladiator]

Honest question (not deliberately trying to be an @ss despite my wife's beliefs).

I don't understand what the advantages of a rack.

Space limiting: I traded my JKU for the bed as I missed my old truck but wasn't going to NOT have a jeep. For the same reason I wouldn't want a bed cap or a hard one piece tonneau cover (i.e. diamondback), I don't want to worry about being limited in height. I understand you could take off some racks, but if I am just driving around town and I see a large baby elephant wandering around, how am I going to load her up with a rack in the way

Not secure: Although I wouldn't want a full Bed Cap, I can at least see the advantage of keeping things out of the elements and being able to secure your stuff. If I'm driving around with the elephant loaded up and take her to the zoo and they reward me with a chest full of gold doubloons, forget about stopping at McD's for a bathroom break.

RRT: Can't I put a RTT on a bed cap or Roof racks?

I've seen locally a nice Willys pimped out with clayton 3.5" lift and half rack with a RTT. He always has his RTT mounted on. I'd think the weight and drag would be horrible. But regardless it looked sharp and picturesque. Just got me thinking about racks...then couldn't figure out why I'd need one.

Educate me...GO!

Actually there is more drag on a full rack with an RTT or a bed cap with a rack with an RTT. I should know because I had a full rack with my RTT and went down to a half rack. Night and day as far as resistance. Yes you could put one on your bed cap but that same drag that you mentioned would be more evident.

I have built both of my racks so they both work with my trifold bed cover. All of the items that I need are in my bed and secured. For my reasons, I saw no reason for a bed cap. I knew I was going to put an RTT up there and wind resistance came into play. I had a bed cap on my Toyota and my dad has had one on two different Rams and now we both have bedcovers. I can remove 4 bolts and the rack is off if I need it. But I camp just about every other weekend so it pretty much stays on. And even though I don't care about MPGs, I actually lost a couple MPGs and handling was affected with that wind resistance associated with the full rack or a bed cap.

At the end of the day, everybody has different reasons for what they do to their rig!

 

[AverageDad]

I bought a BAK Revolver Tonneau. Now that I’m planning a cross country camping trip I’ve decided an RTT would be nice. Are there any racks that will work with the BAK Revolver?

I could do the half rack on the cab but figure there would be less drag if it’s recessed over the bed.

 

[Fcmalie]

I bought a BAK Revolver Tonneau. Now that I’m planning a cross country camping trip I’ve decided an RTT would be nice. Are there any racks that will work with the BAK Revolver?

I could do the half rack on the cab but figure there would be less drag if it’s recessed over the bed.

I am working with xtrusion-overland.com on getting a mounting bracket specifically for the BAK Revolver X4s, I'm not quite sure on their timeline for release yet, but that is my plan.

As far as my plans for using the rack, I plan on using a majority of dispersed camping sites when I take the family on trips in the trailer, so having an elevated mounting spot for some area lighting if needed and also some better tie-down points for the up to 400lbs my tonneau cover will support. Gives me multiple organizing options depending on length of trip and how many family members are going.

 

[salvino]

Honest question (not deliberately trying to be an @ss despite my wife's beliefs).

I don't understand what the advantages of a rack.

Space limiting: I traded my JKU for the bed as I missed my old truck but wasn't going to NOT have a jeep. For the same reason I wouldn't want a bed cap or a hard one piece tonneau cover (i.e. diamondback), I don't want to worry about being limited in height. I understand you could take off some racks, but if I am just driving around town and I see a large baby elephant wandering around, how am I going to load her up with a rack in the way

Not secure: Although I wouldn't want a full Bed Cap, I can at least see the advantage of keeping things out of the elements and being able to secure your stuff. If I'm driving around with the elephant loaded up and take her to the zoo and they reward me with a chest full of gold doubloons, forget about stopping at McD's for a bathroom break.

RRT: Can't I put a RTT on a bed cap or Roof racks?

I've seen locally a nice Willys pimped out with clayton 3.5" lift and half rack with a RTT. He always has his RTT mounted on. I'd think the weight and drag would be horrible. But regardless it looked sharp and picturesque. Just got me thinking about racks...then couldn't figure out why I'd need one.

Educate me...GO!

To each his own, but I’m a canopy guy. Keeps things drier, cleaner and more secure. It also gives you more space to work with inside. If you must have a RTT, the rack will keep it lower. Which is a good thing for something so heavy. If I get a RTT I’ll put it on the trailer.

 

[salvino]

None of this fits in a 5’ bed.

But if I needed to carry all that I could put it on my RLD canopy.

 

[iammacey]

Last year I was considering the entire overlandknf experience. I can work remotely and thought a rack, RTT, fridge, etc... would be an amazing way to see the country. I had decided on all the gear and was right there about to buy and that little voice kept telling me to wait. Fortunately I did. And the desire/want/whatever finally left.

I love the rack setups, the RTT setups, the bed covers, the cooking surfaces, fridges, compressors. So many amazing ways to setup and use the truck. In truth though, I wouldn't use them very often and then I'd eventually quit using them and it would just be in the way.

I understand why it works for some people and love that everyone can make it their own. Some great examples and uses being shared here.

 

[DocMike]

… because if you don’t get one, then you have nothing to talk about when someone asks you about your JT.

i agree, seeing something like that in a suburban area does make you scratch your head.

 

[DocMike]

Did you just give us the bird?

So... public rage over how someone is or isn't spending their money on their rig?

Am I reading this right?

I feel like we all need a big cup of coffee and file past the field glasses and marvel at the feral free range hooters in my yard.

And then CALM THE FUCK DOWN!

 

[mattyp11]

Necessary for my fly rod vault.

 

[Jeeptruck]

I started with the factory tonneau cover. It kept the snow out of the bed.

My wife said she would go camping if we were off the ground. So I welded together a half rack to accommodate a Christmas present RTT.

then I had to haul some lumber with rack on, so I fabricated a rack to mount off the rack and one over the cab to accommodate 14 ft lumber. (Not pictured).
Then I wanted to keep the snow off but have room for more gear, so canopy it is!

but then sometimes you need to do this

or this

or a combo

etc,etc.

I guess my point is a rack/canopy/ladder rack/bed extender/tonneau cover/cap/empty bed each serve a purpose. If u have purpose you need one, if you don’t you don’t.
The best use for a rack I found was providing cover while I grabbed some video of a guy working out in my parking garage:

 

[maddocmuc]

None of this fits in a 5’ bed.

Gorgeous, you built a fire truck!

 

[Maddaw]

Others have mentioned it but I went with a half rack since the RTT sits flush with the roof and really does not produce any extra drag. Sorry don't have pics with the RTT on yet. Also went with the half rack because the 105l Roam box cannot be removed if the tailgate is locked and the rack is on. Yes, bad people can still get in the bed, cut the locks, and get away with my recovery gear and tools. I just figure if they are going to go through all that they would probably drill out the locks on a Diamond Back or cap. I realize things are out of sight with a cover or cap but if they want it they will get in.

Also, considering the payload (1200 lbs minus passengers) of a Gladiator what can you really haul. Might be able to get 15 sheets of 3/4" plywood or drywall which would still fit under my half rack. No baby elephants around my neck of the woods so I don't need to worry about that.

I understand tall items wouldn't work with a rack but so far I have not had that need, others do. It all comes down to individual needs or wants for their vehicle. The one thing I have not seen mentioned is a load of mulch. Can't do that with the rack I have.

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