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I don't understand the advantages of a Bed Rack

The Crusader

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I'm not planning on a RTT, but I have kayaks and I will be building a home next year. Hauling doors, lumber, or conduit are much easier with a rack. Besides, it looks cool and will come in handy for camping. I'm not a rock crawler kind of guy. Overlanding is more my speed.
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AMAGladiator

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I use mine to hold items that I don't want or have room for in the truck.. Highlift, Water tank, Shovel etc.. I bought the brackets that let you use a bed cover with the rack.. So stuff is still secure and dry. I also have 3 full size dogs that I can throw in the back and not worry about them jumping out..

It just works for me and my life.. Individual results may vary.. ;)

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what bed cover are you using? And is that the 46” or 52”?
 

SubiRubi

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what bed cover are you using? And is that the 46” or 52”?
Tyger Auto T1 Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau

From Amazon.. Says it won't fit but it does.. Have had it on for close to a year with no issues..

The RCI rack is the 12" height 46" long version... I added the 3" tonneau adapters so I can roll up the bed cover. The total height of the rack is 15" which is perfect for rearview..
 

AMAGladiator

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Tyger Auto T1 Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau

From Amazon.. Says it won't fit but it does.. Have had it on for close to a year with no issues..

The RCI rack is the 12" height 46" long version... I added the 3" tonneau adapters so I can roll up the bed cover. The total height of the rack is 15" which is perfect for rearview..
cool. I’ve got a chance to score a 12” height one in the 52” long version. Rci told me it would fit but not with a mopar bed cover.
 

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MikeR1

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It's like the new bling bling for trucks, but honestly they serve different purpose. For me they create more storage space and mounting points for accessories.
 

ShadowsPapa

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No one will ever understand the use of a bed rack if you don't have a use for it.
Again, if you have to ask, you don't need one.
I've seen a couple of JTs around here with 'em, nicely done, and used. Overlanding and camping stuff.
 

tysongladiator

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Again, if you have to ask, you don't need one.
I've seen a couple of JTs around here with 'em, nicely done, and used. Overlanding and camping stuff.
Exactly! You hit the nail on the head! I've used mine since day 1. Camping once per month. And when I'm not camping, I have a rack on top that I use. And my fishing pole holder is on the left side.

But you said it best. If you have to ask, you don't need one!
 

ShadowsPapa

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Exactly! You hit the nail on the head! I've used mine since day 1. Camping once per month. And when I'm not camping, I have a rack on top that I use. And my fishing pole holder is on the left side.

But you said it best. If you have to ask, you don't need one!
Our priest (who is leaving for another location or time off or something) drives a small Toyota truck. He's an outdoors type of guy- hunting, fishing, and even saw a Bridgeport mill in the back of that truck one weekend. Anyway, he's got a small rack across the top of the bed that holds his fishing rods. Keeps them up off the bottom of the truck bed with all the other stuff. It's simple, but cool. I could see a larger setup like some of the guys here have, rods on one side, tent on top, other stuff on the other side like shovels or whatever. And that leaves the whole bed open below.
I don't need one - at least not now or in my imagined future - but I get it.
I guess it's like hanging your stuff in a closet with some of the nice newer modern closet organization stuff - or folding it all and stuffing it in a drawer.
 

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Dan in Pasadena

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Educate me...GO!
My bet is a huge majority of guys that put racks and roof top tents on their Gladiators and Jeeps do it for looks. They use them 2 or 3 times and never use them again. There will be lots of used ones for sale in a couple years and the same guys will think they're going to get the thousands of dollars they spent on them. Hilarious and sad.
 

LostWoods

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My bet is a huge majority of guys that put racks and roof top tents on their Gladiators and Jeeps do it for looks. They use them 2 or 3 times and never use them again. There will be lots of used ones for sale in a couple years and the same guys will think they're going to get the thousands of dollars they spent on them. Hilarious and sad.
The way the economy is going it'll probably be sooner than later. The last major recession, the accessories and toys were the first to go. I was turning wrenches at the time and I was getting solicitations to buy wheels, lifts, and quads/bikes multiple times a day from customers.
 

ACAD_Cowboy

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Our priest (who is leaving for another location or time off or something) drives a small Toyota truck. He's an outdoors type of guy- hunting, fishing, and even saw a Bridgeport mill in the back of that truck one weekend. Anyway, he's got a small rack across the top of the bed that holds his fishing rods. Keeps them up off the bottom of the truck bed with all the other stuff. It's simple, but cool. I could see a larger setup like some of the guys here have, rods on one side, tent on top, other stuff on the other side like shovels or whatever. And that leaves the whole bed open below.
I don't need one - at least not now or in my imagined future - but I get it.
I guess it's like hanging your stuff in a closet with some of the nice newer modern closet organization stuff - or folding it all and stuffing it in a drawer.
My bet is a huge majority of guys that put racks and roof top tents on their Gladiators and Jeeps do it for looks. They use them 2 or 3 times and never use them again. There will be lots of used ones for sale in a couple years and the same guys will think they're going to get the thousands of dollars they spent on them. Hilarious and sad.
I feel that so much of "Overlanding:jazz hands" is a case of the meetoos. We saw the same thing in the 70's where suddenly any car with some holes in the muffler was a drag racer, the 80's saw the proliferation of body in white with teal, yellow and raspberry detail... everything was street style while caught deep in 50s nostalgia. The 90s brought us prostreet and street outlaw, bonus point if your outlaw hood could touch the top of the windshield. The 2000s hearlded import street and race style, formula d and all that. Trucks are back in style, overlanding is the new rage and it's the late 70s all over again.

Plenty of 4wd jeep truck and suv owners want to look like they are ready to go hang that turn up a trailhead or cruise the beach to the secret surf and fish spot, I've seen what appear like static dioramas of roof racks: pioneering tools, spare wheel and tire, jerry cans, coolers... awnings, rope... but all weather beaten because they want to look cool but never go and be cool.

Watched a guy on a forum do a few hundred hours of work after months spent waiting on importation, having spent many tens of thousands acquiring. Completed his built and then got bored and sold it. So folks like the buy and build, some like the look.
 

MikeR1

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Once you’ve filled it to the top, you’ll be out of space. A rack will give you more storage space. The rack should sit above the bed giving you a little more storage space. More importantly, the rack can be used to safely organize your equipment and supplies. After checking different roof racks and bed racks, I will be leaning towards on getting the Front Runner Roof Rack and the RCI 18" HD Bed Rack.
 

NotSo Bright White

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At birth, elephants can weigh up to 268 pounds and stand about 3ft tall. So if your rack is at least 37 inches tall, you should be able to carry a baby elephant. But the weight of the elephant will most likely put you over payload with food and water!
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