Compatibility of Pickup Truck Ladder Racks with Tonneau Covers

Updated 09/14/2020 | Published 06/24/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Erickson Over-The-Cab Truck Bed Ladder Rack - Steel - 1,000 lbs

(46)

$788.97

Thule TracRac SR Sliding Truck Bed Ladder Rack - 1,250 lbs

(171)

$1499.90

Question:

I want to know if you have a ladder rack that I can put under my cover on my 1998 ford short bed truck

asked by: Tommy

Expert Reply:

Tonneau covers and ladder racks can be compatible with each other when they do not use the same mounting points on the truck bed rails. Both tonneau covers and ladder racks can mount either inside the bed rails or on top of them.

As an example, the TracRac SR sliding ladder racks like # TH43002XT-501 mount on top of the bed rails so they will work with tonneau covers like Tonno Pro soft roll-up cover # TPLR-3080 which installs inside the bed rails.

Please feel free to email me back with your truck details (F-150, F250 or F350) and the brand and style of cover and I will be glad to assist.

expert reply by: Adam R

Scott P.

1/17/2020

Just bought a 2020 Tundra Limited with the 65 full bed. It came with the Toyota OEM hard tonneau cover. On my prior Tundra I had the Thule sliding Trac Rac and loved it. Do you know if Trac is compatible. If not, is there an alternative that you sell that has same features as Trac Rac i.e. slides forward out of the way, rated for 1000+ lbs, has sliding tie downs that sit in racks, etc.?

Jason S.

1/20/2020

The Toyota OEM tonneau won't work with the Thule Sliding TracRac # TH43002XT-610 for your 2020 Tundra. The OEM cover sits on top of the bed rails instead of inside it. I'm not aware of anything compatible with that system. Instead, I recommend going with the TracRac Sliding system and then the BAK Revolver X2 Hard Tonneau Cover - Roll Up - Aluminum and Vinyl # BAK39410 which is the best compatible cover option. You can even add the BAKBox 2 # BAK92401 to carry your tools and accessories. The cover is only rated for 500 lbs but with a ladder rack you'd never need to put anything on it above that weight anyway.

Helpful Links

tv-review-bak-revolver-x2-tonneau-cover-bak39327.aspx

tv-review-base-rails-for-tracrac-sliding-ladder-racks-th21000.aspx

Patrick

3/18/2020

Hi,I just bought a ram 1500 5’7’’ box. I would like a hard tonneau cover that fits with a trac rack. Any suggestions?

Chris R.

3/19/2020

I can absolutely recommend a cover that will work with a TracRac system on your new Ram. Can you tell me what model year the truck is?

Joel

9/11/2020

@ChrisR Hello! I have the same situation as Patrick. My truck is a 2014 Ram 1500 with the 5'7" box. I currently have a Bakflip MX and don't want to have to both replace the tonneau and buy a rack. Any suggestions?

Jon G.

9/14/2020

@Joel For your 2014 Ram 1500 with the 5'7" box and the BAKFlip MX4 (great choice by the way!) I recommend the Thule TracRac SR # TH43003XT-784. This has the highest weight capacity of any ladder rack we offer and the crossbar spread is extremely easy to adjust.

Patrick T.

3/19/2020

Dodge Ram 1500 sport 2020

Bill P.

5/17/2020

So I have a 2019 F250. I'm hoping to have the best of both worlds. A rack that would fit with a tonneau cover. Thoughts? The cover is a factory trip fold.

Chris R.

5/20/2020

In order for this combo to be possible, the factory tonneau on your 2019 F-250 has to install completely inside the bed rails (with no hardware or tarp extending to the tops of the rails). If this is the case, then we do have a few options that will work well. I specifically recommend the Thule TracRac SR - part # TH43003XT-785 if you have the 6-3/4 foot bed or part # TH43003XT-000 if you have the 8 foot bed.

Dustin S.

5/26/2020

2016 f150 6.5 bed. Does a hard flip style tonneau work with the tracrac? I would prefer to stay away from the roll up.

Chris R.

5/28/2020

We do have hard folding covers that are compatible with the Thule TracRac. Basically any cover that installs completely inside the truck's bed rails will work, but with hard covers you'll have to slide the TracRac uprights as you fold up the cover (since the uprights angle in towards the middle of the truck). Just as an example, the BAKFLip G2 Hard Cover # BAK26327 would work well with the TracRac # TH43002XT-501 on your 2016 F-150.