6 Best Truck Bed Trailer Racks For Expanding Hauling Capacity To Haul Anything
Maximize your truck’s hauling capacity. Our guide reviews the 6 best bed racks for adding a second level to securely transport long, oversized cargo.
You’ve been there. Staring at a pile of 16-foot fence posts, then at your 6-foot truck bed, doing the mental math and realizing it just won’t work safely. Or maybe it’s irrigation pipe, long timbers for a new coop, or even a canoe for that pond you just dug. A pickup truck is the backbone of any small farm, but the bed alone has its limits.
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Why a Truck Rack is a Farmer’s Best Friend
A truck bed is perfect for bags of feed, tools, and coolers. But the moment you need to haul anything longer than the bed itself, you enter a world of compromise involving flags, tie-downs, and a whole lot of prayer. This is where a truck rack fundamentally changes the game.
It’s not just about hauling long items. A good rack system creates a second story on your truck. This frees up the entire bed for other gear. You can load lumber or pipes up top and still have the whole bed available for your chainsaw, post-hole digger, and fencing supplies.
Ultimately, it’s about efficiency. One well-planned trip is always better than two rushed ones. A rack saves you time, fuel, and wear and tear on your vehicle. It transforms your truck from a simple container into a versatile hauling platform, maximizing the utility of your most important piece of equipment.
TracRac SR: The Ultimate Sliding Rack System
The defining feature of the TracRac SR is its ability to slide along the bed rails. This isn’t a gimmick; it’s a massive practical advantage. You can slide the uprights completely out of the way to the front of the bed, giving you unobstructed access for loading a pallet of feed or a round bale.
Imagine you need to haul a few 20-foot cattle panels. With a fixed rack, you’re stuck with a set support distance. With the TracRac, you can slide the front and rear crossbars to the perfect position to stabilize the entire length of the panels. This adaptability is unmatched.
The tradeoff for this level of flexibility is cost and a more involved installation. Most TracRac systems require drilling into your truck’s bed rails for a secure fit. For many, the permanent, rock-solid mount is a feature, not a bug, but it’s a commitment you need to be ready for.
Yakima OverHaul HD for Heavy, Adjustable Loads
When your loads get serious, the Yakima OverHaul HD is the answer. This system is built for weight, often rated for 500 pounds on-road and a respectable 300 pounds for off-road farm trails. It’s the rack you choose when you’re hauling green lumber for a new barn, not just a few 2x4s.
Its second superpower is height adjustability. You can set the crossbars low to sit below the cab for better aerodynamics on the highway. Or, you can raise them up high to carry long items over the cab, like extension ladders or long runs of conduit. This dual-purpose nature makes it incredibly versatile.
Best of all for many truck owners, the OverHaul HD uses a clamp-on system. There is no drilling required. This makes it a fantastic option for a leased vehicle or for anyone who wants to preserve the integrity of their truck bed. It’s a heavy-duty, semi-permanent solution that offers immense strength without the permanent commitment.
Leitner Designs ACS: The Modular Hauling Choice
Think of the Leitner Active Cargo System (ACS) as less of a rack and more of a complete cargo platform. Its design philosophy is rooted in modularity, allowing you to bolt on a huge ecosystem of accessories. This is the rack for the farmer who values organization above all else.
The real magic is how it uses vertical space. You can mount gear pods for tools, Rotopax for extra fuel or water, and mounting plates for shovels or axes directly to the sides of the rack. This leaves the entire truck bed floor open for bulky items. It’s like adding built-in shelving to the outside of your truck bed.
This system is a significant investment and might be overkill for someone who just needs to haul lumber occasionally. However, if your truck doubles as a mobile workshop for projects around the property, the ability to have specific tools and supplies mounted securely and accessibly is a massive advantage.
Adarac Pro Series: Lightweight Aluminum Strength
The Adarac Pro Series hits a sweet spot between heavy-duty functionality and a clean, minimalist design. Constructed from corrosion-resistant aluminum, it’s strong enough for most farm tasks but won’t add a ton of weight to your truck. Plus, it will never rust, a crucial feature in wet or snowy climates.
One of its most compelling features is its compatibility with many inside-the-rail tonneau covers. This is a huge win. You can keep tools, seed, and other valuable items secure and dry under the cover while still having the full hauling capacity of the overhead rack.
The uprights are also easy to remove, giving you a clean look and unobstructed bed when you don’t need the rack. It’s a fantastic all-around choice for someone who needs a capable rack but doesn’t want a massive, permanent fixture on their truck. It’s strong, versatile, and works well with other bed accessories.
Backrack Safety Rack for Cab Protection & Hauling
The Backrack isn’t a full rack system in the same way as the others, and that’s its strength. It’s first and foremost a "headache rack," designed to protect your cab and rear window from shifting loads like firewood, tools, or scrap metal. This safety function alone makes it worth considering.
While it doesn’t provide a second level of storage, it serves as an incredibly sturdy forward anchor point. You can lean long ladders, lumber, or pipe against it and secure them with confidence. It prevents loads from sliding forward during a sudden stop, which is a non-negotiable safety feature for anyone hauling loose material.
It’s simple, tough as nails, and often serves as the foundation for a more complete system. Many models are designed to work with toolboxes and other rack components. If you’re just starting to upfit your truck, a Backrack is one of the most practical and safety-oriented first steps you can take.
Erickson Load Extender for Long Lumber & Pipe
This isn’t a bed rack at all, but it solves a very specific and common farm problem so well it has to be on the list. The Erickson Load Extender is a T-shaped bar that plugs directly into your trailer hitch receiver. It’s a single-purpose tool for safely hauling exceptionally long items.
Its job is to support the overhanging end of your load. Think about bringing home 20-foot lengths of PVC for an irrigation line or 16-foot boards for a new fence. Resting them on a raised tailgate is unsafe and often illegal. The load extender creates a solid support point several feet behind the truck, properly balancing the load.
This is not a replacement for a full rack system. You can’t mount a rooftop tent to it. But for the specific task of hauling long, flexible materials, it is often the best and most affordable tool for the job. It’s an excellent, low-cost addition to your hauling toolkit.
Installation and Key Buying Considerations
The first major decision is how the rack attaches to your truck.
- Drill-in: This provides the most secure, permanent connection. It’s the best choice for heavy loads and rugged use, but it does mean putting holes in your truck.
- Clamp-on: This is far less invasive and ideal for leased trucks or those who want the option to remove the rack easily. You’ll just need to check the clamps for tightness periodically.
Next, consider the material and capacity. Steel is incredibly strong and often cheaper, but it’s heavy and can rust if the coating is compromised. Aluminum is lightweight, rust-proof, and looks great, but typically comes at a higher price. Be honest about your needs. Don’t buy a rack rated for 300 lbs if you know you’ll be hauling 500 lbs of wet timber. Always buy more capacity than you think you’ll need.
Finally, check for compatibility. This is the most critical step. Will the rack work with your existing toolbox or tonneau cover? Does it fit the specific rail design of your truck’s make, model, and year? Read the fitment guides carefully before you buy. A great rack is useless if it doesn’t fit your truck.
A truck rack isn’t an accessory; it’s a force multiplier. It expands the capability of your farm’s most important vehicle, making every hauling task safer, quicker, and more efficient. Choosing the right one for your specific needs unlocks the full potential of your pickup.
