I don't understand the advantages of a Bed Rack

[Rick_Jame55]

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!

I had the same thoughts as you. “Buy a truck for the utility of it. The have to deal with this issues of shopping for whatever it may be. As long as it can fit in the “spacious” back seat of the gladiator, You don’t have to go directly back home. Then you left with the option of putting a camper cover on it. In that outcome, might of as well bought a Toyota Highlander. Or any other flavor of SUV. But I did find this at the local ARE installer. Didn’t find a specific model for the Gladiator but with enough interest I’m sure they could make a model. Hope this helps.

https://mountaintopusa.com/mountain-top-tonneau-roll-cover/

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[mojocho]

Great examples. Thanks for sharing! Do you have a post on your canopy. That's pretty pimp

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:

 

[mojocho]

MULCH! Good point! Love the AEV wheels. On my short list.

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.

 

[eaglerugby04]

I've removed mine a few times. Twice to shim up the center of the bed caps. I used both painters tape and paint marker. Somehow, I still messed it up. hahaha....

Same reason I removed mine, lol. I got really lucky on the reinstall

 

[#HuckleberryJeep]

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!

Many of the same thoughts ran through my head when designing my set up. My big push when we built this thing was flexibility, to still be able to use the bed when I want to do truck things. So, we set out to build a rack that did all the things I wanted for adventuring, but is easily adaptable to regular truck use.

Personally, I think we nailed it, at least from my own preferences/needs, but everything is a give-and-take on a build like this.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

Im going to be adding a rack soon enough, when we go on trips I want to be able to add my roof box to add cargo room, and eventually tent too. I dont think the Thule or ladder racks looks right. Bed racks are basically the same price as the Thule racks and are far more versatile.

 

[mojocho]

You are a god amoung men. That is a serious setup. First rack I've seen that can utilize the softtopper.

Many of the same thoughts ran through my head when designing my set up. My big push when we built this thing was flexibility, to still be able to use the bed when I want to do truck things. So, we set out to build a rack that did all the things I wanted for adventuring, but is easily adaptable to regular truck use.

Personally, I think we nailed it, at least from my own preferences/needs, but everything is a give-and-take on a build like this.

 

[Jeeptruck]

Great examples. Thanks for sharing! Do you have a post on your canopy. That's pretty pimp

Thanks! I don’t have a post yet on the canopy… it was just supposed to be a mock up to see if I like it but I liked it so much I haven’t followed through on the real project. The canopy pictured is just a brown cloth tarp over a 2x4 frame. I’ll take more pictures tomorrow since I’m using it for a trip.
my final project is going to be a metal frame I fabricate wrapped in soft top type material. The top of the metal canopy frame will act like a ”lid” that extends up (with some struts to assist) to make to entire top of the canopy even with the rooftop, to make more room. So it will look like this:

Great examples. Thanks for sharing! Do you have a post on your canopy. That's pretty pimp

Thanks! I don’t have a post yet on the canopy… it was just supposed to be a mock up to see if I like it but I liked it so much I haven’t followed through on the real project. The canopy pictured is just a brown cloth tarp over a 2x4 frame. I’ll take more pictures tomorrow since I’m using it for a trip.
my final project is going to be a metal frame I fabricate wrapped in soft top type material. The top of the metal canopy frame will act like a ”lid” that extends up (with some struts to assist) to make to entire top of the canopy even with the rooftop, to make more room. So it will look like this:

and transform to this:

then with the metal frame I can put on the ladder racks I made or a basket or my rooftop tent.

 

[JT850]

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!

I love mine. Rebel Offroad Full height, but it is very much give and take. I've accepted that I wont be putting anything too tall in the back anytime soon, but...I do haul 12' 4"x4"s on occasion. They obviously don't fit in the bed so I put them on top of the rack. I also hunt and use my rack as a way to hoist wild hogs into the bed. It's a good place for hanging some accessories, but everybody is different. I wouldn't get one for the sole purpose of mounting a tent. I considered a topper, but the rack works better for me. Currently have a marine shop that builds Bimini and sails constructing a rain cover for the rack. So it will basically be a topper I'll just have the option to remove the cover if I want. Best of luck, I wrestle with the decision for a while.

 

[Gobi1Kenobi]

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!

I have a Rebel Off Road XPLOR full height and my brother has a Diamondback on his Taco.

Here's why I went rack:

1) mounting points
2) versatility to design for purpose
3) clean lines from front to back
4) added Bed Slide <--game changer
5) mounting points

Here's why my brother had a bed cap and later a Diamondback:

1) security
2) protection from elements

As for putting an RTT on a bed cap or roof rack, I would say yes but make sure that:
1) The roof can handle the weight
2) You will lose the ability to take the top off if there's a tent on it

 

[Fcmalie]

I have a Rebel Off Road XPLOR full height and my brother has a Diamondback on his Taco.

Here's why I went rack:

1) mounting points
2) versatility to design for purpose
3) clean lines from front to back
4) added Bed Slide <--game changer
5) mounting points

Here's why my brother had a bed cap and later a Diamondback:

1) security
2) protection from elements

As for putting an RTT on a bed cap or roof rack, I would say yes but make sure that:
1) The roof can handle the weight
2) You will lose the ability to take the top off if there's a tent on it

What bed slide did you use? DIY or purchased? I have a rolling tonneau and debating on putting a bed slide in too.

 

[Gobi1Kenobi]

What bed slide did you use? DIY or purchased? I have a rolling tonneau and debating on putting a bed slide in too.

https://www.bedslide.com/series-2-bedslide-1000-classic.html

 

[Deleted member 30519]

This is why I went with the hooke cargo rack. It's small, can attach some rotopax ,shovel and even fights my Rightline duffle bag up top while still having plenty of room to move stuff in.

 

[shrinkhead]

bikes is one reason - carrying them in the bed is cool and all but then the bed is full and you cannot haul other camping gear on those awesome bike trips with your buddies. also cargo baskets for family ski trips. Can still fit the baby elephant with a rack he or she just have to lie down and you need to fold the cover back. also secure attachment points that are easy to reach. ever had your JT slide backwards into a tree and your recovery gear is in the bed with the cover closed and you actually cannot open the tailgate? don't underestimate the convinience of an RTT either.

 

[Wyofuy069]

I read this post with great interest as I just had a Fishbone half rack installed today. Well the dog kennel doesn’t fit in the bed anymore, but she might be able to ride in the back now. It looks great and is well-built. This weekend I’m going to start installing shovels, traction boards, etc. the one thing that hasn’t really been discussed is the ride quality. The extra 120 lbs over the rear wheels helps smooth out the ride and aids traction. I’m sure I’ll be enjoying this come winter.

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