Truck Racks Explained

Contractor

Contractor racks, also known as ladder racks, are a venerable tool of the trade. These durable rack systems feature an upright support at each corner of the bed, cross bars, and lateral bars that often extend over your pickup’s cab. These racks are often used on the job site, as they allow you to securely transport oversized building supplies and tools, like electrical conduit, PVC/copper pipe, lumber, and, of course, ladders! 

These racks tend to have high weight capacities and rigid steel constructions, making them ideal for everyday use and abuse on the job site!

Economy

Economy racks are the ideal accessory for the DIY-er, featuring a sleek, aerodynamic design and lightweight construction, and are easily installable/removable. These racks are typically constructed from rigid yet lightweight aluminum and feature an upright support at each corner of the bed with aerodynamic crossbars. 

Most economy racks don’t feature lateral bars, diminishing their strength compared to contractor racks; however, these racks are ideal for weekend renovations, home repair, and even hauling canoes and kayaks to the lake!

Headache

Headache racks are another popular tool of the trade, consisting of two upright supports near the cab adjoined by an upper and lower crossbar. These racks are manufactured from durable alloys like steel and aluminum and come in several configurations, including illuminated, louvered, mesh, and simple frame designs.

Unlike traditional bed racks that utilize upright supports at the front and rear of the bed, headache racks only feature a single crossbar and set of uprights at the bulkhead. This design allows you to hoist the front of oversized cargo up and over the cab while the rear tucks inside the bed before the tailgate. Aside from loading cargo, headache racks also protect the rear window and cab against impacts and abrasions while filling the bed, preventing broken glass, dings, and dents.

Service Body 

Service body racks typically follow the same design cues as traditional ladder or contractor racks; however, they’re specially designed for compatibility with service-style pickup beds. We offer traditional ladder-rack styles, like the Kargo Master Service Body Utility Rack, as well as economy styles, like the TracRac Utility Truck Rack.

Side Mount

Side mount truck racks are ideal for those who don’t need the capacity of a full contractor rack or don't frequently load tall, oversized cargo in the bed that otherwise wouldn’t fit through the rear crossbars of a conventional rack setup. These racks feature two upright supports that mount to the passenger or driver’s front and rear corners of the bed. Short cross bars extend approximately ⅓ of the way across the bed, while diagonal braces provide additional support. 

These racks allow you to haul moderate amounts of overhead cargo, like ladders, lumber, and conduit, while keeping over half of the bed’s overhead space clear for tall cargo. 

Topper & Canopy

Topper and canopy racks are specially engineered for use alongside truck toppers, allowing you to carry oversized cargo above the topper. These racks come in several configurations, ranging from rugged, bed-mounted, topper-compatible contractor racks, like the Kargo Master Pro II Truck Topper Rack, to simple topper-mounted crossbars, like the TracRac CapRac Truck Rack.

Overland

Overland racks, also known as adventure racks, are engineered for use on overland builds. These racks are far shorter than conventional truck racks, extending only partially up the cab. Unlike traditional truck racks, engineered to haul building supplies, overland rack systems provide secure mounting locations for your overland gear, like roof tents, jerry cans, off-road jacks, and traction recovery kits.

Elevate Rack System

Bolster your pickup’s cargo space with the Elevate Rack System–an innovative, T-Slot rail-mounted Economy rack system offering sleek aesthetics and unmatched functionality. This rack mounts to T-Slot rails, which you can order separately for first-time mounting, or you can reuse the existing T-Slot rails from your T-Slot-mounted tonneau cover, like the RetraxONE XR, RetraxPRO XR & Roll-N-Lock XT. 

This rack is manufactured from lightweight and durable aluminum, offering a 750-pound static capacity, 500-pound on-road capacity, and 250-pound off-road capacity. The Elevate Rack System is also fully height adjustable, featuring telescoping uprights that lock into place at 18, 23, and 28 inches. 

As a bonus, the Elevate Rack System is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.    

Features: 

• Lightweight and robust aluminum construction

• Durable, textured powder coat finish

• Compatible with select inside-mount tonneau covers (refer to compatibility chart)

• Install, adjust, or remove in minutes

• Elevate T-Slot Rails required for installation on most applications

• Elevate T-Slot Rails NOT required on tonneaus equipped with T-Slots (ie. RetraxONE XR, RetraxPRO XR & Roll-N-Lock XT)

• Adjustable, telescoping design; locks at 18", 23" or 28"

• Integrated T-Slot channels accept numerous cargo management accessories

• 750 lbs. static capacity 

• 500 lbs. on-road capacity

• 250 lbs. off-road capacity

• Limited lifetime warranty

WEATHER GUARD Steel Truck Rack

The WEATHER GUARD Steel Truck Rack is the ultimate contractor/ladder rack, ideal for dedicated work trucks and heavy haulers. With a venerable all-steel construction, this rack features a 1,000-pound capacity for full and mid-size applications and a 1,700-pound capacity for HD trucks. 

For added protection, all parts are treated with a corrosion-resistant black powder coating, guarding the underlying steel rust and oxidation. Powder coating is also highly chip, abrasion, chemical, oil, and UV resistant, ensuring a long-lasting finish on even the hardest-working trucks. 

WEATHER GUARD Steel Truck Racks are compatible with WEATHER GUARD brand tool boxes; they offer a simple no-drill installation and an industry-leading limited lifetime warranty. 

Features:

• Durable steel construction

• Available for full-size and midsize trucks

• 1,000 lb. cargo capacity

• for full size & midsize trucks

• 1,700 lb. cargo capacity for HD trucks

• No-drill installation, mounts to stake pockets

• Matte black powder coat finish

• Removable rear crossbar; no tools needed

• Four welded tie-down loops, one on each leg

• Welded airfoil helps deflect wind

• Compatible with WEATHER GUARD truck boxes

• Full-size truck rack approximate height - 35.9"

• HD truck rack approximate height - 34.9"

• Midsize truck rack approximate height - 33.38"

• Limited lifetime warranty

Backrack Safety Headache Rack

The BackRack Safety Headache Rack is a sleek, simple rack system offering outstanding protection and a quick, hassle-free installation. This product is manufactured from heavy-duty square steel tubing, offering maximum rigidity and strength. A heavy-duty steel wire mesh protects the back glass against rogue cargo within the rack's negative space. The entire rack is coated in a heavy-duty gloss black powder coat, protecting the underlying steel against corrosion. 

The BackRack Safety Headache Rack features a simple no-drill installation with the included brackets; we also sell separate brackets to accommodate most tonneau covers and tool boxes. 

Features: 

• Complete with wire screen design

• Coated in a durable black powder coat

• Manufactured from high-quality steel

• Separate brackets for tonneau cover installation available

• Separate brackets for tool box installations available

• Bolts on in minutes

• American-made 

Westin Overland Cargo Rack

Improve your pickup’s overland performance with the Westin Overland Cargo Rack, which features a sleek, low-profile design, durable 14-gauge steel construction, and simple bolt-on installation; no drilling is required!

For stealthy aesthetics and corrosion protection, Westin applies a premium, dual-stage finish to each Overland Cargo Rack, including a base layer of corrosion-resistant E-Coat followed by a powder coat topcoat for added durability.  

This product allows you to mount all your essential overland gear, from roof tents and awnings to recovery gear and jacks. Order with confidence, knowing Westin backs every Overland Cargo Rack with a 3-year warranty!  

Features: 

• Durable 14-gauge steel construction

• E-coated for a lasting corrosion-resistant finish

• Finished in a textured black powder coat

• Low profile for reduced wind resistance

• Multi-purpose cargo capabilities for off-road gear (sold separately)

• Suitable to accommodate most rooftop tents (sold separately)

• Bolt-on installation - no drilling required

• Hardware and mounting brackets included

• Assembly required

• Custom die-cast riveted logo badge

• 3-year warranty

TracRac SR Sliding Truck Rack

The TracRac SR Sliding Truck Rack is a sleek, adjustable economy rack that’s ideal for DIY-ers and weekend renovations. This rack is constructed from durable and lightweight aluminum, bolstering cargo capacity without adding unnecessary heft. The rack’s aerodynamic crossbars and wind deflectors help to reduce drag and wind noise, ensuring a quiet and comfortable driving experience. 

This rack includes four uprights, two crossbars, four aluminum load stops, and four aluminum side cleats for a complete installation; a simple, no-drill installation, might we add! This rack is also fully adjustable, featuring unique sliding base rails for full adjustment. 

The TracRac SR Sliding Truck Rack is manufactured right here in the USA and backed by the confidence of a limited lifetime warranty.  

Features: 

• Base rails included for rack adjustment

• Uprights can be removed easily

• No-drill installation

• Aluminum crossbar end caps

• Wind deflectors help eliminate noise

• Sold with 4 uprights, 2 crossbars, and 4 aluminum load stops

• Includes 4 aluminum side cleats

• Integrated mounting channels

• USA-made

• Limited lifetime warranty