I don't understand the advantages of a Bed Rack

[enrico_pallazzo]

My rack has a removable rear crossbar just for loading tall items.

This is a pretty rad, minimalist rack. Did you make it or buy it? I went with the Maximus Overland rack, but I really like this one.

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[usnavycdr]

This is a pretty rad, minimalist rack. Did you make it or buy it? I went with the Maximus Overland rack, but I really like this one.

I made it with a friend who had a Harbor Freight tubing bender. I drew up basic plans and we kind of winged it as we went, adjusting as we went. We got the angle right to follow the line on the back window. I ordered the interlocking cage connectors matching my tube size (1.25" OD but 1.5" is a bit more standard for accessories). I considered a larger tube in aluminum, but cost plus less experience bending and welded aluminum made me rethink it. I used 3" wide 1/8" flat stock for rails and the 4 corners to mount on cargo rails. I also cut gussets out of the flat stock. Cost about $250 in materials plus a full weekend for 2 of us. If you don't need the removable rear bar, subtract $80.

 

[enrico_pallazzo]

I made it with a friend who had a Harbor Freight tubing bender. I drew up basic plans and we kind of winged it as we went, adjusting as we went. We got the angle right to follow the line on the back window. I ordered the interlocking cage connectors matching my tube size (1.25" OD but 1.5" is a bit more standard for accessories). I considered a larger tube in aluminum, but cost plus less experience bending and welded aluminum made me rethink it. I used 3" wide 1/8" flat stock for rails and the 4 corners to mount on cargo rails. I also cut gussets out of the flat stock. Cost about $250 in materials plus a full weekend for 2 of us. If you don't need the removable rear bar, subtract $80.

Great job! Custom builds really let you get only what you care about. I had thought about going this route, but knew I’d never get it done.

 

[Tanners Owner]

I’m of the opinion there is no “right or universal “ answer. It’s all based on what one intends to use the JT for.

in my case, I bird hunt and need a safe secure are for my dog and kayak. As such I went with a canopy (or am awaiting its arrival).

For other needs, I understand the utility of the racks, especially when one considers the variety of options. If I didn’t bird hunt, I’d likely be getting a rack and agonizing over what one is best for me

my 2 cents worth

 

[JT850]

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

I just had one built that pulls all the way out. Went with 700lb capacity, but they go up higher than that. They call this one 120% pull out.

 

[Dryfly24]

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.

That’s a great idea having that shop build you a rain cover over the rack. You got me thinking about possibilities…

As to the OP’s question, for me it is all about camping.

We camp a LOT and I need it for my 23 Zero Walkabout 62 RTT plus all the assorted gear that goes along with it. Without the rack the bed would be so crammed I wouldn’t have the room for everything.

Having said that: I hate it when I’m not camping. I really enjoy just having a plain truck without all that crap permanently on. I wish someone would come up with a really secure system that was basically a quick disconnect for easy removal.

What would be ideal would be a set up like that one guy posted where he can just remove it with a winch and hang it from his garage ceiling when he’s not using it. That one really has my wheels turning…

 

[Dryfly24]

Because there's know knowledge to expand on. You either need the additional storage or you don't.

And it has nothing to do with camping.

Why is camping the only reason to have a rack? Maybe you need it to carry tools or kayaks or in my case bikes.

Could be any number of reasons.

Again if you can't think of a reason you need the extra storage then don't worry about it because it doesn't matter.

Sounds like you're looking for someone to give you a reason to waste money on shit you don't need. If you want one cause you think it's cool then just buy it already and stop trying to find an excuse.

 

[ACAD_Cowboy]

Hooter's needs have changed and as his life evolves so does his rig. Different solutions to different challenges.

 

[AverageDad]

I don’t have a bed rack, but I want one. For me, a mid-height rack offers more versatility. I mostly use the bed for hauling camping gear, lumber and trash. I could still do that. When I do (rarely) have something tall, I can remove the rear bar. It also will allow me to have a RTT that is partially below the roofline for less drag and, most importantly, would allow me to pull into my garage with the RTT on. That will allow me to hoist the RTT to the roof, making it a one person job and keeping me from riding around with the RTT on all the time.

Bed racks don’t make sense - until they do. For me, I think it’s the best option.

Now if I could just convince the Minister of Finance that I need to buy a rack and an RTT. ?

 

[Motoarch]

Give it a go Chachi

 

[XJADDICTION]

Since I have the Max Tow... ? thats just a joke.

So many have said it depends on your use. I have people that want to give me their opinion all the time about this Jeep. I’ve owned a bunch, but his JT seems to attract the nut jobs.

- with no rack when new “that is the ugliest truck I’ve ever seen” well, it’s mine and I bought it for me not you, plus where else can you get a convertible truck?

- “that thing is useless, I thingy the Honda Ridgeline was THE fake pickup, but yours wins fake truck of the year” yeah, well the Ridgeline is a car with a pretend bed and this is a truck with Ram 1/2 ton suspension in the rear, a real bed and... it’s a convertible.
- from my wife and many others
“That rack looks stupid, makes an ugly truck uglier”

My Answer, My Jeep Truck;

- the bed is pretty small and putting my solid axle expensive mountain bikes in the bed mean leaving the tailgate down or hanging them over the tailgate. These are both not acceptable for me.

- I kayak and Canoe often

- I go to pickup lumber, don’t always want to pull the trailer, I’ve carried 16 foot deck boards and a 6x6 post up there on my rack system.

- I want secure storage that works with a locking tailgate. I still haven’t built the drawers yet, but have full length flat board slides to pull stuff out of the bed.

- I leave all of my mountain bike tools pumps stuff, fishing gear, and a whole tent camping set up in the bed all of the time. I camp whenever I want to (even straight from work) just throw ice in he cooler and grab food (I have dry food and always have a water purification system) I keep a backpack of clothes in the truck all of the time. I also have headlamps, helmets, bike shoes, my job site PPE, bike lamps, rain and cold weather gear, etc all in the cab under the rear seat.

- I also ride dirt bikes (motorcycles) and pull a trailer for that. I am getting a hitch mount for the Honda 250 XR soon so won’t always need my trailer for that either.

- THEN... what if I want to all of this at the same time; Canoe, Kayak, mountain bikes, dirt bikes, 4 wheeler, or jet skis, wakeboard boat... on and on.

- for me the bed is too small I am used to 8’ beds on diesel crew cabs I’ve owned. Now instead of three or 4 vehicles that I used to own... I have one convertible truck that does it all (with a trailer) and I think it looks badass IMOP... and that’s al that matters.

I have locks for everything, the mounts are all Yakima, and cable or chain locks. I have an enclosed trailer in my future to help with a hotel stay if I want. Sure anything can be stolen but that is what insurance is for.

I have thousands of miles on this set up, soon will change... well maybe a year or so as I am building another house next year. I want a system that I will build that will use a full work truck rack attached to a window frame mount with isolator bushings for the minimal flex between the bed and the cab, gull wing bed hard cover on hydraulic struts with removable light weight drawer system (so if I want an open bed I can get there easily, the work truck rack I have had removable 3” cross bars). I am thinking a slide out under rack for an RTT, some manufacturer makes one (it’s on back order forever) so I will make my own that swivels and has legs to level it. May even just have platform for the double cot tent... ?

He possibilities are endless for these trucks.

Thank you Jeep for making a truck that is fun to drive and gets the job done ... for me! ?


The twin cot tent bed is a game changer and fits up by the back window in bed Yakima rack rails. I haven’t used it yet.

I have $250 in this set up, ladder rack was free (I cut it down so it wasn’t so tall and is proper height for Yakima load bar on hard top)

50,000 miles on the JT and it is time for the fun stuff. A lift, 37’s , gears, lockers, aluminum bumpers and winch very soon.

 

[Dryfly24]

Give it a go Chachi

This isn’t a roast Fonzi…

 

[Motoarch]

This isn’t a roast Fonzi…

If you're going to shit post back it up or move on.

 

[Dryfly24]

If you're going to shit post back it up or move on.

Wow! Sir yes Sir!

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! I’m not the one shit posting on the poor guy’s thread.

So tell me, since apparently you make the rules around here; how long have you owned this site now?

 

[ACAD_Cowboy]

Settle down now... everyone behave or so help me god you'll have to stand in the corner because I will have beat your ass so hard with my belt that my hands hurt.

One man said he didn't grok the rack thing, a number of us chimed in and discussed the hows and whys and wherefores of rack life. That man said thank you for the insight and while very convincing arguments, still not for me. And then the shit show started.

Are we all seriously getting grumpy as fuck about how we feel someone else should be spending his money on his rig? That ain't very jeeply now is it, IS IT?

Seriously, take the long look here, people are arguing about how someone else should be spending his money. IF you wanna take the ol'lady out for an anniversary dinner at jack in the box followed up by throwing empty beer bottles off the pier, honestly what do I care? You wanna buy her the biggest rock in the gaudiest setting, great. You wanna stay out all night and call her broke and hung over from your mistresses place for a ride, if that's what works.

Do I like racks? yes and no because it all depends on why you have it and what you are doing with it. Do I like racks on other peoples rigs? again it all depends. In my area there are plenty of dudes driving around in full expedition mode all day every day for no reason. You do not need your RTT, pioneering tools, LP tank, trac-mats and a zillion feet of rope and chain to commute to work on the expressway just the same as I don't need my plow, amber lights and area lights, baskets and snow thrower once the storm is over. But just like I don't say anything to Jungle Jim ready to cross the Darien gap, he doesn't say anything to Sir Grit's-A'lot looking like mad max in winter.

So everyone, calm down, take the breath, count to 10 and STFU.

Also, hooter is wondering if he needs to look at a LWB suburban for the 3rd row.

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