If you’re like most truck owners, your ride isn’t just a vehicle—it’s a lifestyle. From carrying equipment you need to transport for an exciting weekend trip, moving equipment you need for a huge task to mere personal convenience of having a truck bed at your disposal you understand the importance of utilizing the truck bed in the most efficient way. Well, that’s where truck bed racks and tonneau covers come in handy since they offer those benefits and much more. These two accessories are like peanut butter and jelly: each is good by itself but when combined, they are something else all together.
Why Pair a Bed Rack with a Tonneau Cover?
Expand Your Carrying Capacity Without Sacrificing Security
Picture this: It is in preparation for a camping trip. That rear part of your truck is packed with everything from tents, sleeping bags, coolers, to even things like… But where do you put the bicycles, kayaks or that huge item which does not fit into the car? This is where a bed rack comes in handy, it provides the required height without compromising on the width space in that bed.
Okay, add a tonneau cover to the mix. It not only shelters your cargo from the likes of rain or snow, but it also ensures that anything placed underneath it is not stolen. I don’t know if it’s raining today or snowing tomorrow or if someone looking for a free lunch behind my truck today, a tonneau cover saves gear. This is like having a security chamber in the rear of a truck, only that this one looks far more desirable.
Versatility on All Fronts
If managing work and leisure time is your preference then then combining your bed rack with a tonneau cover is perfect. Let’s for instance assume that you have a busy week when you are expected to carry out a large project, but come the weekend, you are expected to be on the trails or the slopes. So with this setup its simple to toss your work tools under and keep them dry and safe while your toys are up top ready to play.
And here’s the kicker: with the right setup, work mode becomes adventure mode and vice versa: the two are not mutually exclusive. No more shlepping all the gear to swap out, just swap the gears and continue the shoot. Your truck for any job and every occasion, that’s what I was going to tell you, if you did not figure that out by now.
Understand The Different Types of Tonneau Covers
Hold on a second — compatibility is an important factor that must be taken into account before you buy a tonneau cover. Not all cover is going to compatible with a bed rack, and no one wants to buy a product that won’t work for them.
Roll-Up Covers
Roll-up covers are like the classic blue jeans of tonneau covers—they’re reliable, easy to use, and they get the job done without a fuss. Available in both soft and hard varieties, these covers roll back to give you full access to your bed. They’re perfect if you want a no-nonsense solution that works with a wide range of bed racks.
Folding Covers
Folding covers are the Swiss Army knives of the tonneau world. They’re versatile, offering the option to expose part or all of your truck bed depending on what you need. Whether you go with a hard or soft version, make sure the cover folds in a way that won’t interfere with your bed rack. This setup is great if you’re someone who likes to keep your options open.
Retractable Covers
For the truck owner who likes things slick and streamlined, retractable covers are where it’s at. These covers slide back to give you access to your bed and can be locked into place at various points. They’re low-profile and pair perfectly with bed racks that mount between the bed rails. Plus, they’re just plain cool—like having a gadget straight out of a spy movie.
Heavy-Duty Covers
If your truck is more workhorse than show pony, you might want to look into heavy-duty tonneau covers. Made from tough materials like aluminum, these covers can take a beating and still keep your cargo secure. Just be aware that their bulkier design might limit your bed rack options. But if durability is your main concern, these covers are hard to beat.
MELIPRON’s Lineup: Bed Racks That Play Nice with Tonneau Covers
At MELIPRON we understand this and your truck doesn’t only mean a means of transport but part of your life. That is why we have developed a series of bed racks that are not only rock solid and lifetime warrantied but also fully adaptable to all most frequently used tonneau covers. Here are a few that might catch your eye:Here are a few that might catch your eye:
1. Truck Bed Rack for Retractable Covers
If you have a retractable tonneau cover? That is the reason this bed rack is distinctly designed for you. It is especially to be compatible with the sliding ones so as to give you the flexibility of having an easy way of getting to your truck bed and at the same time have a strong rack where you can place all your gear.
2. Overland Truck Bed Rack Tent Rack for Toyota Tacoma
If you are the proud owner of a Tacoma and enjoy such activities as hiking, hunting, or fishing then this rack is going to be your number one assistant. The best thing about it is that it can work in conjunction with both roll up and retractable covers, this will be very useful for those who plan to store tents or overland equipment.
3. Adjustable Overland Truck Bed Rack for Full-Size Pickups
That is for the big boys. Suited for full size pickups, this adjustable rack is ideal for those who like to transport very big things, but who do not wish to lose the benefits of a folding cover. Some of the prospects are in line with flexibility and how best to harness the potential of a truck.
4. Overland Truck Bed Rack for Ford F150 & Raptor
If you are a driver of F150 or Raptor you understand your truck was made for radical operations. This bed rack comes with a roll-up or retractable cover which means no matter the purpose for the gear you have, you can be sure that the truck is capable of handling it.
5. High Overland Truck Bed Rack for Jeep Gladiator JT (2020-2023)
In its own right, the Jeep Gladiator is an absolute brute of a vehicle, and it needs a properly beefed-up cargo rack to reflect that. This high rack is compatible with both roll up and retractable covers to let in extra space for those bulky articles while not compromising with the protection of your tonneau cover.
6. Aluminum Truck Bed Rack with Ladder Stops
Need something that can handle long, awkward items like ladders or lumber? This aluminum bed rack, compatible with roll-up and retractable covers, is designed with ladder stops to keep everything in place. It’s tough, lightweight, and ready for action.
7. Adjustable Chase Rack Roll Bar
For those who like their trucks to look as good as they perform, this chase rack roll bar is a perfect fit. It works with roll-up covers and tonneau covers with T-slot rails, giving your truck a rugged, off-road-ready look while providing functional storage space.
Wrapping It Up
A truck bed rack coupled with a tonneau cover ends up being more than adding accessories to the pickup truck but making it far more powerful in terms of functionality to suit any task that one might encounter. Whether it is going for a trail ride, working on a project or simply wanting to secure and organise your equipment, having the right fitting bed rack and tonneau cover proves to be very beneficial.
At MELIPRON, we would like to make sure that your truck serves you to the maximum. Bed racks are designed to be compatible with all of our tonneau covers to give you the setup that you want. So go ahead, explore our lineup, and take your truck’s functionality to the next level. After all, your truck deserves nothing less.