Retractable Tonneau Cover And Ladder Rack For 2021 Ram 1500 5-1/2' Bed

Published 05/05/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Pace Edwards JackRabbit Retractable Hard Tonneau Cover w Explorer Rails - Aluminum and Vinyl - Black

(12)

$1561.00

Pace Edwards Utility Rig Rack Truck Bed Ladder Rack - Aluminum

$609.55

Pace Edwards UltraGroove Retractable Tonneau Cover w Ladder Rack - Aluminum and Vinyl - Matte Black

(1)

$2302.79

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

(30)

$1649.99

Yakima OverHaul HD Adjustable Truck Bed Ladder Rack - Aluminum - 500 lbs - 78" Crossbars

(187)

$1518.90

Yakima OutPost HD Overland Truck Bed Rack - Aluminum - 500 lbs - 78" Crossbars

(22)

$1117.90

Question:

Im expected to take delivery of a 2021 Ram 1500 w/o the Rambox and I want to purchase a retractable tonneau cover with a lock. It will have the 57inch bed. I also need the ability to mount bikes/etc. so Im also looking for a design with the T-slots. Im wondering the pros/cons versus the t-slot setups of Pace Edwards vs Retrax as well as the benefit of the Explorer Series in the Pace Edwards line. Specifically, does it provide for greater flexibility for accessories and/or eliminate the need for adapters for different brands of racks, etc.? Thanks for any direction and feedback.

asked by: Jack

Expert Reply:

The Pace Edwards JackRabbit Retractable Hard Tonneau Cover w Explorer Rails # PE45CV fits your 2021 Ram 1500 5-1/2' bed without rambox. The built-in Explorer Rails are only compatible with Pace Edwards ladder racks such as the Pace Edwards Utility Rig Rack Truck Bed Ladder Rack # 311-UR3005. This ladder rack is not compatible with bike racks or any T-slot accessories since it doesn't have the T-slot channel.

A better option is to use a tonneau cover ladder rack combo kit: Pace Edwards UltraGroove Retractable Tonneau Cover w Ladder Rack # KRDA24A55-ELD0101. This provides square bars which can allow fitment of many accessories, including bike racks, but it doesn't have the T-slot top channel so you can't install any channel-mounted accessories. This is probably the easiest option and would work well if you don't have T-slot accessories

I think your best option is the RetraxONE XR Hard Tonneau Cover - Retractable Accessory T-Slots # RTT-60243. This is a really nice cover which has side rails to add a ladder rack. The Yakima OutPost HD Overland Truck Bed Rack 78" Crossbars # Y01152-59 and Yakima OverHaul HD Adjustable Truck Bed Ladder Rack 78" Crossbars # Y01151-59 have been confirmed to fit this cover. These racks provide a T-slot channel on top of the crossbars. This is the only setup which will allow you to install track-mounted accessories and therefore it is the setup I recommend going with.