Best Tonneau Cover and Adjustable Ladder Rack System for 2018 Ford F-150 With 5-1/2 Foot Bed

Published 12/06/2020

Products Featured in This Question

Yakima JayLow Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Folding - Clamp On

(155)

$238.95

RetraxONE XR Hard Tonneau Cover - Retractable - Polycarbonate - Matte Black - Accessory T-Slots

(30)

$1649.99

RetraxPRO XR Hard Tonneau Cover - Retractable - Aluminum - Matte Black - Accessory T-Slots

(82)

$2149.99

Yakima OverHaul HD Adjustable Truck Bed Ladder Rack w/ Tonneau Cover Adapters - 68" Crossbars

(114)

$1558.90

Question:

I am trying to figure out the best option for several things for my 2018 F-150 supercrew w/5ft, 5in bed. I need a tonneau cover for my truck bed. I also need to carry kayaks I also need to carry kayaks while towing bumper only... I like the option of an adjustable height bed rack rather than a roof rack for the better versatility of it. The kayak we currently have is 10ft. We might get an additional 12ft. What suggestions would you have?

asked by: Ck

Expert Reply:

You are right that an adjustable rack system offers you the best versatility for your 2018 F-150, but it is also just easier to use a rack system at the truck bed compared to your roof as it is lower and more accessible. So it's a smart idea to go this route, and we have the perfect option for a tonneau cover that is able to integrate a rack system. Starting with the tonneau cover, what you will need for your F-150 with a 5-1/2 foot bed is one of the following:

- RetraxONE XR Hard Tonneau Cover with Trax Rails # RTT-60373

- RetraxPRO XR Hard Tonneau Cover with Trax Rails # RTT-80373

These are very similar tonneau covers, with the difference being that the RetraxONE is made out of Lexan, which is like a very sturdy plastic, while the RextraxPRO is made from aluminum.

The covers each have trax rails (like T-slots) which will allow you to add an adjustable rack system, the Yakima OverHaul HD Adjustable Truck Bed Ladder Rack for Tonneau Covers # Y01151-5855.

The OverHaul HD is height-adjustable, has a 300 lb weight capacity, and 68 inch bars so you can easily carry either one or two kayaks with a kayak carrier like the Yakima JayLow Kayak Carrier # Y04073.