Customizing Your Truck Bed with Roll Bars and Racks

Whether you use your pickup truck as a workhorse, an adventure companion, or an extension of your personality, sticking to a factory-standard vehicle often feels like a blank canvas begging for customization. Maximizing the truck’s utility is beneficial for work or leisure. However, you will need a few upgrades to achieve improved functionality.

Truck accessories provide more than an aesthetic edge, adding versatility and enhancing safety, transforming the vehicle into a powerhouse of convenience and capability. Explore how these additions can turn your truck into the ultimate utility machine.

Truck Bed Accessory Rundown

Whether hauling tools, bikes, or kayaks, these accessories make your truck more versatile and capable. Aside from enhancing functionality and safety, customizing the truck bed is a smart way to transform the vehicle’s style.

Roll Bars

Commonly referred to as chase racks, the primary safety feature of roll bars is to protect the cab from rollovers and restrain heavy loads that may shift while being transported. They are made from aluminum or steel to ensure durability. Certain roll bars have integrated light bars for improved nighttime visibility, while others have cargo racks and fluid holders to increase storage. They protect the rear window from breaking and offer peace of mind when navigating rugged terrains. They are mounted behind the cab, enhancing the truck’s structural rigidity and adding a layer of protection in case of a rollover accident. You can also mount off-road accessories and lighting equipment onto the roll bar. Installation is straightforward and does not require complex modifications.

Ladder Racks / Over-The-Cab Racks

Ladder racks live up to the name, as they can help you work more efficiently by storing ladders and other materials in the truck bed. They are practical for both work and recreational use. Others call them contractor racks and over-the-cab racks, providing a convenient and secure way to transport long items like lumber and kayaks that wouldn't fit within the bed. Over-the-cab racks stretch from the cab roof to the bed, providing additional cargo space. The rack's metal bars are extended and hung but not drilled into the cab roof.

Some ladder racks have built-in rollers to ease loading and unloading heavy objects, allowing you to free up space in the truck bed for tools, construction materials, sports equipment, or even off-road gear. Available in steel or aluminum variants, the rack is mounted on the truck's bed rails, providing more space to the bed and avoiding obstruction to the rearview. Over-the-cab racks protect the cab and occupants from shifting cargo, especially when driving at high speed and suddenly stopping. It is also helpful in case of collisions, as the rack prevents the heavy cargo from breaking the rear glass window. They are ideal for carrying bulky items that would not otherwise fit in the bed, such as kayaks, surfboards, or camping gear. They reduce the risk of injury when loading and unloading cargo and prevent heavy items from hitting the sides of the vehicle.

Roof Racks

Think of roof racks as an overhead extension of your truck's storage capacity, freeing up space for the bed. These racks are mounted on the cab's roof, which provides a platform for carrying items that may not fit in the bed anymore. They can also be used as a dedicated space for stuff that needs to be easily accessible during your journey. These racks are not just flat pieces of aluminum on the roof, as some brands allow you to tie gear down and add all sorts of cargo to improve the functionality of your rig. Some roof rack products let you install a rooftop tent, a locking strap-down storage box, add recovery board mounts, and other items for camping.

Crossbar Racks

These versatile racks consist of horizontal bars mounted across the bed rails. They provide solutions for securing smaller cargo like canoes, kayaks, or surfboards, offering additional cargo space for the truck bed. They are mounted across the truck bed or roof, providing sturdy support for recreational gear. Crossbar racks are lightweight and easy to install, making them ideal for adventure enthusiasts. Moreover, you can combine them with other accessories like cargo nets, baskets, or rooftop tents.

Bike Racks

This type of rack helps clear away the truck bed while ensuring the bikes are securely transported without risking scratches or damage. Designed specifically for carrying bicycles, they are typically mounted on the bed rails or the tailgate. They ensure security when transporting one or more bikes. They are available in various configurations to accommodate particular bike types and quantities. They also come in several styles, such as tailgate pads, fork-mount racks, and wheel-on racks.

Headache Racks

Headache racks prevent cargo from sliding forward and entering the cab during sudden stops or accidents. They offer the same rollover protection as roll bars. However, they have the added benefit of protecting the window from substantial load and deflecting debris from overhead, such as low-hanging branches. Attach them to the headache rack with straps and chains for extra support when hauling oversized items like furniture or ATVs.

Moreover, headache racks add an outdoorsy, off-road vibe to your pickup truck. Slatted-styled racks can help reduce the harmful UV rays that can blast into the cab while parked. They protect the bed from dents and dings, which can happen if your cargo shifts around while in transit. Aside from additional storage and organization options, headache racks provide mounting options for antennas, lights, or other accessories. You can install extra brake lights to increase rear visibility, especially when hauling bulky loads.

Perks of Installing Truck Bed Accessories

Truck bed accessories go beyond aesthetics. Here are the benefits you can obtain when you install accessories to your vehicle:

• Enhanced Cargo Capacity: Whether hauling bikes for the whole family, kayaks for a quick getaway, or lumber for a weekend project, truck bed accessories can help carry everything you need. The racks and roll bars offer additional real estate for your equipment.

• Improved Organization and Accessibility: Dedicated racks keep your items systematized and readily accessible during your trip. They create a designated space for particular cargo, which can help organize the things you need for easy access. They also prevent your cargo from bouncing around within the bed, especially when driving on rough terrains.

• Added Functionality: It is easier to transport long items with the help of crossbar racks and ladder racks, while roof racks and bike racks offer additional storage possibilities. The integrated rollers on ladder racks and the tie-down points on crossbars further increase the functionality of the truck bed.

• Enhanced Safety: Truck bed racks offer an extra layer of protection in case of a rollover accident. While not a guarantee of complete safety, they can mitigate the impact to keep the cab safe, especially when hauling long and heavy on the truck bed.

• Increased Versatility: These upgrades make your pickup truck more adaptable to your needs. With the ability to carry a wider range of cargo and organize it more effectively, the bed accessories can help transform your vehicle into a truly versatile rig.

• Added Style: Racks and roll bars come in different designs, materials, and finishes. With a wide range of styles available, you can match them to personalize your truck and add a touch of ruggedness or sporty flair.

Enjoy the benefits of a more efficient, functional, and personalized rig. Make your pickup truck ready for any challenge—on the job site, the trails, or the highway. These truck accessories serve a unique purpose for work and recreation. As you consider upgrading your vehicle, these additions add value and convenience to your driving experience.