New truck owner bed rack question
Posted by Johngrimes19@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 12 comments
Can somebody explain why I can’t just fill up my bed with my camping gear and put a net over it, vs getting a bed rack? The only way I see it being useful is if I can fill my bed with items, and use additional baskets mounted on the bed racks.
Am I able to fill the bed up to the top of the rack, and net over the cargo? Or do people use rachet straps to secure their cargo with racks?
I just never seen anyone fill their bed to the brim using these bed racks, and i’m not sure if i’m going about this the right way!
Thanks for the responses! The main goal is to maximize my carrying capacity, so any suggestions are very much appreciated.
Clarence_Moose@reddit
The purpose of a rack is generally to carry items on top of it, not to contain the contents of the bed. If the stuff you want to carry doesn't necessitate a rack, you don't need a rack.
Johngrimes19@reddit (OP)
I see, my purpose wasn’t to use a rack to contain the contents, but more so I was thinking it’s not a great idea to stack things too high above your bed. I was just going to get cargo baskets for the rack to secure any additional items I have.
You think I can get away with stacking items high as long as it’s secure with a net? I’m only carrying tents, and canopies, with a few totes. It will be well above the bed line once everything is in.
PonyThug@reddit
You haven’t ever been to south east Asia or the Middle East have you.
As long as it’s not above the cab and secured well you won’t have any issues.
Sounds like a soft topper or fiberglass bed cap/topper would be perfect for you. I have one, and I never strap anything down in my bed. Plus it’s water/dust proof and secure from theft.
Clarence_Moose@reddit
It might not be a great idea, but that doesn't mean it's not ok or possible. You can certainly stack above the bedrails (within reason) as long as everything is secure, but that's all relative to your use case and how you secure it. If how you secure it allows things to shift, and you do some rough driving that would tend to shift things around, you might have a bad time. For what I do, my concern would be around accessibility of items on the road. I like to be able to get a cold drink out of my cooler at a rest stop, and have my recovery and tool kit easily accessible in case I need them. If they're buried under a mountain of stuff, I'd be miffed. I try to keep what I pack minimal enough to fit in the bed under a tonneau, and then have a rack on top of that for my tent and a bike tray.
My general rule of thumb is try before you buy. Try stacking things (securely and safely), and if it turns out to be a pain that a rack could solve, then buy a rack. Too many people buying things they don't need, myself included.
Snortserranopeppers@reddit
Depends on the type of rack you’re looking at getting. You can maximize use of space with something more modular. Although what you have pictured is easier to remove. You can combine a soft topper with a rack as well.
I just went with an Xtrusion Overlanding XTR1 for the modularity purposes. I currently have a tonneau cover on my truck that I plan to keep, but throwing a tent up top of the rack.
All dependent on your budget, seasons of planned adventure…
Johngrimes19@reddit (OP)
I looked up the XTR1 and it’s pretty sick! What kind of tonneau cover do you have?
Snortserranopeppers@reddit
I cheaped out on a hard cover and went with the RC aluminum hard roll up. Exponentially better than the two vinyl trifold I replaced. But If I had to do it again or recommend something I’d say just spend a bit more and go with Peragon or Retrax with T slots. Those are about 3x’s the price though.
ghetto_headache@reddit
Even if I hardly ever used them, bed racks seem so useful to me. I’ve always had something similar in my trucks.
The idea of turning empty space into usable space is always appealing to me. But to each their own
Potential4752@reddit
The racks are only meant for things that don’t fit in the bed, like kayaks or roof top tents. If you want to fill up your entire bed and net over it then the racks don’t help you.
It sounds like you would be better off with a shell. Or less stuff.
g00dmorning99@reddit
No one has ever said you can’t fill your bed up and throw a net over it. Don’t buy something if you don’t know what to do with it
Johngrimes19@reddit (OP)
Yup, haven’t bought it yet. And asking for more info, whole reason for the post brother.
g00dmorning99@reddit
No one has ever said you can’t fill your bed up and throw a net over it. I have a bed rack on my f150 but the main reason for that was to have a roof top tent on it