Bed Rack + Tonneau Cover

[Troy]

I ordered a Tremor at the end of Oct. Have been searching for a good rack + cover option. Cover for luggage and stuff for family trips. Rack for things like paddle boards/bikes/kayaks. I'd also like to still fit in the garage. Turns out this is a pretty tall order. To get big items on the rack it needs to clear the cab. So something above the cab but below the 82'' max garage height is proving challenging. Height needs to just be perfect or the rack needs to be easily removeable or height adjustable.

Another annoyance I found is all of the tonneau covers that include the new track systems for rack take up bed space. I really don't love the idea of giving up 1ft of bed space. I like the rollup style, that sit above the bed, due to this.

Anyway I started compiling a list of options, link below. I thought others may find it useful. Also is there any good options I have missed out there?

truck bed rack

docs.google.com

 

[Alaskadave]

Hey Troy,

I also had the same questions. I ended up installing the Lietner Designs ACS Forged bed rack system with a Decked box in the bed. I was initially going after the tonneau cover with the Leitner Designs ACS and it will work only caveat is that the bed cover has to be T-Slot Rails on the bed so the Lietner Rack will attach, which is not a big deal, however the bed cover has to be a Retraxx XR electric version or if you install accessories on the rack you cannot open up the bed cover all the way. I really liked everything about it but the cost of the bed cover $2900.00, So I ended up with the Decked System and a bunch of gear boxes.

The Lietner Rack to be is the best of the best. Well built, multi-purpose and follows the contours of the truck cab so no noise at all. Really one of the best.
I have some pictures up here if you search my username

Dave

 

[Troy]

Hey Dave

Yeah that Leitner Rack looks nice. I believe the Pace Edwards non electric cover would work with it. The way it opens is below the cover instead of above like the Retrax, so there should be no interference with the gear pods. For me rolling up into the bed space is a serious negative though. The gear pods on the Leitner system are nice, but I think if I was getting into that much money something like the RSI SmartCap would be a better option. Sadly there really is no perfect solution.

I sure do like the look of your setup though. That lead foot tremor is sure nice too. MY22 they discontinued that color and I had to be stuck ordering a silver one.

 

[myahtzee7]

Ive been struggling with the same thing. Wanted a rack above the bed where I can put my bikes and such but also want a Tonneau cover. I had a soft rollup on my 2012 and loved it. Only thing I could find with the t-slot rails was the pace edwards or retrax like you have stated. They take up too much space in the bed in my opinion.

So I was looking around today and found these

Elevate TS Rails Only | TruXedo | Truck Hero

truck-hero.com

They look like I can use them with a soft rollup tonneau cover. They might be the solution I was looking for. Maybe for you too.

 

[Troy]

Oh wow that is a great find. Interesting that they stop making the elevate system but still have the rail only thing.
Thanks for sharing!

 

[Yeti]

Just came across this, today. I'm not sure it will fit your use but it looks interesting.

Air-Topper™

The patent pending Air-Topper™ is offered in 3 sizes to fit most full size standard beds, short beds, and mid-size standard beds. Featuring a four-chamber construction, this convenient shell inflates to a rigid structure that clamps to the truck bed for complete containment then deflates and...

getflated.com

 

[Troy]

Wow interesting, but not for me, I'd go nuts trying to inflate and un-inflate that thing.

 

[sean80]

I have also been trying to figure something out to do this. The Retrax is nice, but takes up too much space in bed. I also remove my tonneau cover from time to time, which looks like a pain with the Retrax.

I'm tempted to buy Thule t-slot rails that you would drill and bolt to the roof of a car, and see if I can install them to the bed rails/ stake pockets. This would allow me to have whatever tonneau cover I want.

The other option is to buy the Elevate TS rails and pair it with the BAK x4s (if they work together). Then buy any t-slot rack.

The key is for it all to be removable, so I can throw the racks on only when I need them. I want to be able to carry my Thule cargo box similar to this:

 

[Troy]

I have also been trying to figure something out to do this. The Retrax is nice, but takes up too much space in bed. I also remove my tonneau cover from time to time, which looks like a pain with the Retrax.

I'm tempted to buy Thule t-slot rails that you would drill and bolt to the roof of a car, and see if I can install them to the bed rails/ stake pockets. This would allow me to have whatever tonneau cover I want.

The other option is to buy the Elevate TS rails and pair it with the BAK x4s (if they work together). Then buy any t-slot rack.

The key is for it all to be removable, so I can throw the racks on only when I need them. I want to be able to carry my Thule cargo box similar to this:

The Elevate rails are an interesting options. Would be nice to see them. My understanding is they are a molded plastic, so I don't trust it. At this point I'm leaning toward Retrax.

Bak x4s and the thule xporter pro shift is a very tempting option. I believe they would work together the rack is super is to move and remove. I do think you'd have to router out the front stake pocket since Ford, in their great wisdom, covered them up with plastic.

 

[Wardo]

My solution on my RAM 1500 was the BAK industries X4 rolling cover (love it) and Rhino rack rails installed with Rhino cross bars. Works very well and I plan on replicating this on my Tremor on order.

 

[Troy]

My solution on my RAM 1500 was the BAK industries X4 rolling cover (love it) and Rhino rack rails installed with Rhino cross bars. Works very well and I plan on replicating this on my Tremor on order.
View attachment 1613

Good idea. Crazy enough I saw a buddy with a similar setup.

It seems like the only downsides are finding a cab height rack is tough? And you have to drill into bed rails.

 

[sean80]

My solution on my RAM 1500 was the BAK industries X4 rolling cover (love it) and Rhino rack rails installed with Rhino cross bars. Works very well and I plan on replicating this on my Tremor on order.
View attachment 1613

Is it fairly easy to remove the rails if you're not using them for a bit? I don't understand why there isn't anything that utilizes the stake pockets. I'm leaning towards trying the ts rails. I won't be using it to hold much weight, just a cargo box and some kids kayaks from time to time.

 

[Wardo]

The Rhino rails are for a jeep rooftop if I recall. On my Ram, under the plastic rail protector are pre-drilled holes in the metal that I aligned the the mounting bolts. No drilling required. The mounting bolts are movable and the kit included a broad bolt that is finger tightened underneath. I am hoping the Ford bed offers similar setup.

 

[Wardo]

I can remove tonneau cover and rails in about 10 minutes. And reinstall in 20.

 

[Troy]

The Rhino rails are for a jeep rooftop if I recall. On my Ram, under the plastic rail protector are pre-drilled holes in the metal that I aligned the the mounting bolts. No drilling required. The mounting bolts are movable and the kit included a broad bolt that is finger tightened underneath. I am hoping the Ford bed offers similar setup.

Underside of the rail of my tremor below. It appears all the the holes are filled with clips.

 

[sean80]

So after a lot of reading and navigating frustrating websites, I've decided on the BAK revolver x4s (80339) and the Adarac m series # F4010012.

I could not find enough feedback about the truck hero elevate ts rails, Thule has the worst website for information, and Rhino rack is difficult to get in Canada.

An inside mount hard roll up will leave stake pockets exposed for the Adarac. The bars will sit 12" above the bed rails, leaving enough room to roll up the cover. Crossbars are easily removable, as are the rails if I want to take them off. The rails aren't as low profile as I was hoping, but I can't have it all. This is also the most affordable option.

 

[Troy]

I ended up buying a Retrax XR with Yakima Landing Pad #1 + Skyline Towers + Jetstream bars. This is a low rack I decide to go that route since it'll make my life easier most of the time. Retrax since I want to be able to open and close the cover while both the bed and the rack is full. There isn't any other option that would allow that. The rack is nice in that it removes very quickly. Really the only downside is the lose of bed space.

 

[Tremhunter]

Oh man, thanks for doing all the research and sharing. It never dawned on me I couldn’t roll up a roll up with the rack on and loaded up with gear.

 

[Tremhunter]

I ended up buying a Retrax XR with Yakima Landing Pad #1 + Skyline Towers + Jetstream bars. This is a low rack I decide to go that route since it'll make my life easier most of the time. Retrax since I want to be able to open and close the cover while both the bed and the rack is full. There isn't any other option that would allow that. The rack is nice in that it removes very quickly. Really the only downside is the lose of bed space.

View attachment 1915

What didn’t you like about the adorak option from sean 80 ?

 

[Cranbery]

I ended up buying a Retrax XR with Yakima Landing Pad #1 + Skyline Towers + Jetstream bars. This is a low rack I decide to go that route since it'll make my life easier most of the time. Retrax since I want to be able to open and close the cover while both the bed and the rack is full. There isn't any other option that would allow that. The rack is nice in that it removes very quickly. Really the only downside is the lose of bed space.

View attachment 1915

Have mine sitting in the living room waiting for the truck. Haven't got the rack system yet but looking at Thule as the yakima set up was more expensive, though it looks a little better. I was surprised at the price of those racks, wasn't expecting to spend $1k for the crossbars, the feet, and the bike racks.

Looks great on your truck, exactly what it's supposed to do. I don't think that system can be beat as far as practicality, durability, and ease of use. Between the retrax pro XR and the racks it'll be ~$4k though so it does get pricey.