Top 5 Benefits Of Installing Bed Rack On Your Vehicle
If you are using your vehicle for work or exploration, there will be a time when you will require extra space to store a few more things. It can become quite troublesome with so much stuff inside the vehicle and, in some cases, strapped to the roof that you spend the majority of your time ensuring that everything is in place.
Hence, this is where bed racks are a good idea. They provide raised storage over the truck bed, and if you get a decent one, it would alleviate your packing headaches.
This article will explore the benefits bed racks offer. Among these benefits is the ability to customize a bed rack according to your hauling needs, and other valuable features include more cargo capacity, which can be handy.
1. Bed Rack Increases Cargo Capacity
Trying to fit all your gear into an already full truck can be overwhelming, and maximizing space in this situation is critical. A bed rack remedies this problem by allowing you to fasten cargo to the roof of your truck shell securely.
A bed rack for example, opens up a spacious new zone above the bed for transporting bulky items like kayaks, lumber, or bicycles. Bed racks designed for mid-size trucks like the Tacoma can typically hold 400-700 pounds of evenly distributed weight. That’s a significant amount of extra load-carrying power without sacrificing interior room.
Additionally, items lashed to the roof sit higher, so you’ll avoid accidentally blocking your rear view. Racks also make it easier to secure awkwardly shaped cargo instead of jamming it into crevices where it could shift during transport. With a roof-top rack, bulky cargo becomes effortless instead of a workout.
Some bed rack models like the Tacoma bed rack even include features like crossbars, gear tracks, or tie-down points to simplify organizing loads of varying sizes. Extras like these help ensure everything stays tightly bound during travels. The overall effect is a much more spacious and user-friendly truck bed.
2. Bed Rack Enhances Aerodynamics
At highway speeds, wind resistance can seriously impact your truck’s fuel efficiency. The more streamlined your vehicle, the less drag it creates and the greater the mileage. A bed rack cultivates excellent aerodynamic qualities by loading gear atop rather than inside your truck shell.
Things packed tightly in the bed disrupt airflow and increase wind resistance. The same items safely strapped to the roof leave smooth underbody lines undisturbed. Some studies show that properly equipped trucks can travel distances equivalent to an extra gas tank when driving long hauls. Over time, that savings could offset the initial cost of your rack.
3. Bed Rack Provides Easier Bed Access
One annoying thing about filling your truck bed to the brim is how challenging moving items back there becomes. Everything ends up stacked awkwardly on top of each other, requiring a lot of climbing in and out to retrieve specific tools or gear as needed. A bed rack prevents this issue.
When your bed is clear below, each stop is quicker and simpler. Need a tool buried under a pile? Just reach right in. Loading or unloading becomes a breeze without obstacles blocking your access. Thanks to a bed rack’s open design, none of your tied-down possessions get in the way of using the bed normally.
Whether you rely on your vehicle for work or adventure, this improved convenience saves a lot of hassle compared to cramming everything inside. A clear truck bed also leaves room to separate clean equipment from dirty so messes stay contained. Overall, a bed rack keeps your work area organized and efficient.
4. Bed Rack Provides Increased Security
Security is always a primary concern when transporting expensive or personally valuable items. Unfortunately, truck beds are among the most easily accessible areas for any vehicle. However, installing a sturdy bed rack improves peace of mind on this front.
Not only does the added height make your belongings up top far less visible from ground level, but it also shields cargo from hungry would-be thieves who may consider the open truck bed an easy score. Even if your truck is left unattended for short periods, rack-mounted equipment, gear, or materials stay safely hidden above potential criminal hands.
You’ll also gain protection from unexpected weather if storms roll in. Bed rack systems are engineered to withstand the elements, from sun, rain, snow, and more.
Furthermore, bed racks that bolt directly to the roof or include all mounting hardware tend to be installed securely, with minimal adjustments needed later on. Lashing items down tightly to a quality rack ensures nothing will blow or fall off during transport.
Meanwhile, you avoid damage or deterioration from constant exposure that could occur in an open bed. Whether heading off on long work trips or hauling valuables, the sturdy security of a bed rack is worth its weight in gold for keeping cargo intact.
5. Increased Customization
For many truck owners, personalizing their rack holds great appeal. Beyond pure function, bed racks satisfy this self-expression through myriad customizing options.
Choose finishes like powder-coating in stand-out colors or add flashier bolted-on accessories. Lift kits paired with heavy-duty bed racks create one-of-a-kind overlanding machines.
Accessory makers let you tailor appearance to uniquely shaped end caps, 3rd brake lights, or gear basket additions. The sky becomes the limit for making bold style statements or subtle enhancements. Personal touches like engraved nameplates add that final signature to your truck. Ultimately, your rig becomes an extension of your adventurous spirit on full display.
Conclusion
While you may love your truck for its dependability, power, and style, a bed rack multiplies its capabilities exponentially by raising the bed and your cargo. Whether your needs involve work, recreation, or simple hauling around town, the five key benefits outlined here prove that a quality bed rack investment pays off in many ways over time.
So why not liberate your gear from the cramped quarters of a truck bed and level up to more efficient, weatherproof, secure, and customizable storage above? The open road truly awaits with endless adventures ready for your truck plus rack to hit the highway.