Track Mount vs. Fixed Mount Rack For Tonneau Cover on 2021 Ford F-150

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Question:

I am going to install bases, legs and a crossbar system. I am installing on a heavy duty tonneau cover 1600 lb rating which greatly exceeds the capacity of anything I would mount on the crossbars. If I install the legs to fixed point mounts vs track mounts will I lose much functionality? Is there a desired optimum spacing for fixed point mounts that will accommodate the majority of equipment that will eventually be installed to the crossbars? Is it less costly to install fixed mounting points vs tracks.

asked by: Lewis S

Helpful Expert Reply:

Those are good questions, and you will indeed lose quite a bit of functionality going with a fixed rack system compared to a track mounted rack. The reason for that is simply that you'll have the ability to move the crossbars to accommodate whatever it is you need to carry, and depending on what that accessory may be, it won't be able to mount unless your crossbars have a specific spread distance.

There is not a desired optimum spacing, that is completely up to you and what you are looking to carry. So while the tonneau cover for your 2021 Ford F-150 can install and have a usable fixed system with the Rhino-Rack RFMPC Roof Rack Legs - Fixed Mount # RFMPC2 with the Rhino-Rack Heavy-Duty Crossbars - 54" Long # RB1375B-2 or 59" Long # RB1500B-2, for the best functionality and easiest way to mount any gear you need to carry, I do highly recommend going with the track-mounted system.

There are a couple of options available, and you can choose from either aero bars or the HD bars, and crossbar lengths of either 54 inches or 59 inches for your F-150; each of the systems have tracks that are 63 inches long:

- 54" Long Aero Bars: Rhino-Rack Aero Bar Roof Rack - Track Mount # Y02-480B

- 54" Long Square HD Bars: Rhino-Rack Heavy-Duty Bar Roof Rack - Track Mount # Y01-120B

- 59" Long Aero Bars: Rhino-Rack Aero Bar Roof Rack - Track Mount # Y02-490B

- 59" Long Square HD Bars: Rhino-Rack Heavy-Duty Bar Roof Rack - Track Mount # Y01-130B