ThunderClap
Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2025
- Messages
- 65
- Reaction score
- 59
- Location
- TX
- Current Ride
- 2025 F150 Tremor 5.0 Space White Metallic 402A
Looking for some advice on a rack for the bed to mount my kayaks above the bed to leave me room in the bed for either the smaller kid kayaks or other camping/fishing gear. I have the Realtruck Revolver X4TS (hard rollup cover with t-slot rails on the side) on my truck and like it a lot so far.
My considerations are:
1. I like the idea of a rack that is easy to take on and off because I likely won't use it that often, if I go kayaking without much other gear I can just use the bed and I have a hitch extender.
2. I am torn between something that is mid-height and something that is cab height. Pros for mid-height are that it wouldn't add to the height of the truck when parking in garage, is easier to access from the side of the truck, and I like the lower profile look. The major con would be that my 13' tandem kayak would then stick just as far out the back (probably farther to keep it away from the window) as it does in the bed and I'm a little worried about the rear window if it did shift slightly. I've watched some videos of guys getting their large kayaks on a cab-height rack so I'm not too worried about that part, but strapping it down and the wind factor still seem like cons for that solution. But the pro for the cab height would obviously be the ability to overhang the kayak over the cab.
3. Looks. This one is harder especially without seeing it on my own truck, but it is a factor to me.
I am currently considering the following 3ish options because they fit in the t-slots on the x4ts.
1. Elevate FS Rack, full height adjustable height options. This seems like the likely most practical option, can lower it slightly below cab height or have it above cab height, isn't too hard to remove and allows the cover to rollup without any interference. I don't really like how it looks but it seems functional and has generally good reviews. I do think the cross-member rack is less compatible with some other accessories though. Link: https://realtruck.com/p/elevate-rack-system/
2. Elevate Base Rack FS. Mid height (9") option made for these t-slots. I LOVE how the towers easily come off the base attachments and also like that the base attachments can be used as tie-downs and left on there all the time. I would definitely go this route if I convinced myself that having the kayak mounted at mid-cab height will work out. https://realtruck.com/p/realtruck-elevate-base-truck-rack/
3. Billie Bars. For fitment with the X4TS I would likely go with the 17" or 24" tall option to still use the cover although there are limitations on where the racks can be mounted to clear the rolling cover and there is some rubbing on the weatherstripping when rolling past the rack, but doesn't appear to be too bad: (https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...-_BakFlip_X4TS_fitment_Guide.pdf?v=1730549383). I like the option on the Billiebars to also add things like a bike tray and rack on the side and some of their other options. I am going to reach out to see if they have a way to do an 8" tall t-slot option so I can use that attachment point and remove them more easily when not in use but might still consider that option regardless which would be a pretty comparable option to the Elevate base rack. https://billiebars.com/products/bil...ce-edwards-t-slot-rack?variant=40436384235565
Appreciate any thoughts or advice. My main use case is to mount 1-2 kayaks on the rack and use the bed for camping gear or other equipment but I do have a roof mounted Thule box I would potentially use and may be interested in using it for bikes if I start taking mine out more often.
My considerations are:
1. I like the idea of a rack that is easy to take on and off because I likely won't use it that often, if I go kayaking without much other gear I can just use the bed and I have a hitch extender.
2. I am torn between something that is mid-height and something that is cab height. Pros for mid-height are that it wouldn't add to the height of the truck when parking in garage, is easier to access from the side of the truck, and I like the lower profile look. The major con would be that my 13' tandem kayak would then stick just as far out the back (probably farther to keep it away from the window) as it does in the bed and I'm a little worried about the rear window if it did shift slightly. I've watched some videos of guys getting their large kayaks on a cab-height rack so I'm not too worried about that part, but strapping it down and the wind factor still seem like cons for that solution. But the pro for the cab height would obviously be the ability to overhang the kayak over the cab.
3. Looks. This one is harder especially without seeing it on my own truck, but it is a factor to me.
I am currently considering the following 3ish options because they fit in the t-slots on the x4ts.
1. Elevate FS Rack, full height adjustable height options. This seems like the likely most practical option, can lower it slightly below cab height or have it above cab height, isn't too hard to remove and allows the cover to rollup without any interference. I don't really like how it looks but it seems functional and has generally good reviews. I do think the cross-member rack is less compatible with some other accessories though. Link: https://realtruck.com/p/elevate-rack-system/
2. Elevate Base Rack FS. Mid height (9") option made for these t-slots. I LOVE how the towers easily come off the base attachments and also like that the base attachments can be used as tie-downs and left on there all the time. I would definitely go this route if I convinced myself that having the kayak mounted at mid-cab height will work out. https://realtruck.com/p/realtruck-elevate-base-truck-rack/
3. Billie Bars. For fitment with the X4TS I would likely go with the 17" or 24" tall option to still use the cover although there are limitations on where the racks can be mounted to clear the rolling cover and there is some rubbing on the weatherstripping when rolling past the rack, but doesn't appear to be too bad: (https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...-_BakFlip_X4TS_fitment_Guide.pdf?v=1730549383). I like the option on the Billiebars to also add things like a bike tray and rack on the side and some of their other options. I am going to reach out to see if they have a way to do an 8" tall t-slot option so I can use that attachment point and remove them more easily when not in use but might still consider that option regardless which would be a pretty comparable option to the Elevate base rack. https://billiebars.com/products/bil...ce-edwards-t-slot-rack?variant=40436384235565
Appreciate any thoughts or advice. My main use case is to mount 1-2 kayaks on the rack and use the bed for camping gear or other equipment but I do have a roof mounted Thule box I would potentially use and may be interested in using it for bikes if I start taking mine out more often.
