One of the most common questions we get here at Overland Racks Ontario is – “Will that overland rack fit with my tonneau cover?” or “Do tonneau covers and bed racks work together?”
The answer although not always simple, always starts off with, “It depends on the rack as well as the cover.”
In case you couldn’t tell, here comes a shameless plug for our Modular Bed Rack
If you’re here for a quick answer and have no interest in reading on, then here it is:
In our experience, the best tonneau cover available, when considering a bed rack is the Truxedo Pro x15.
No, we do not have any affiliation with Truxedo.
If you want all the reasons and consideration for why that is our choice, then keep reading!
There are some obvious limitations when it comes to tonneau covers and bed racks.
One of the most popular tonneau cover styles out there today are tri-fold covers. Unfortunately, these popular covers are some of the most challenging to fit with a bed rack.
We have trifold brackets available to help overcome this issue. However, the tonneau cover will not be able to flip open while the rack is mounted.
It’s a great option if you’ve recently invested in the tonneau cover and don’t want to swap it out for something new, however it is definitely a compromise and as such, we tend to recommend looking at alternative tonneau solutions before buying an expensive add-on from us. Our goal isn’t to just up-sell you to the tonneau bracket option because it makes us money. We want you to have the best setup for your truck possible in both looks and function.
If you are set on keeping a tri-fold cover and need to be able to flip it open, we do have some solutions for anyone able to pickup locally. We have made custom, round tube racks that allow enough clearance to flip open the tonneau cover.
These are much more bulky than a typical bed rack, however we do bend the tube to match the lines of the truck, so it still looks like it belongs.
Shown here on a Silverado with a Bakflip tonneau cover installed.
Before getting back to our recommendation, we figured we’d be sure to mention that we have not worked with every tonneau cover out there.
There are others that could definitely work, including some of the retractable covers.
The main concern to look at when pairing a tonneau cover with one of our overland racks, is the less bed rail it covers, the better.
Truxedo Pro x15 or Truxedo Lo Pro
These are the best tonneau covers to work with when considering one of our overland racks due to the mounting system and the low profile roll-up function.
Our vote goes to the Pro x15 rather than the Lo Pro, simply because of the premium material used on the Pro x15, that is more resistant to UV rays than the standard vinyl used on the Lo Pro.
The mounting system for both covers mounts inside the rails, covering none of the bed rail in a lot of cases, or covering approximately 1/2″ of the bed rail in other cases depending on the truck model.
Both of these covers will provide a good fit and function with one of our overland bed racks.
Installation of the Bed Rack and Tonneau Cover
We will create another blog post near the end of June with step-by-step details on the install process when we install a Truxedo Pro x15 and a Modular Bed Rack on our 2020 Ford Ranger.
Until then, here’s some general information for you if you’re considering a one of our overland bed racks and want to be able to keep your gear secured and dry.
The tonneau cover installs AFTER the bed rack and the weather-stripping on the tonneau rails typically has enough expansion to seal right around the rack mounts when new.
If you have had the tonneau mounted for a while already, you may need to add some peel and stick foam weather-stripping to help seal up the gaps.
As you can see, the tonneau cover is fully closed with the rack in place.
This particular example had the tonneau cover pre-existing, so some weather-stripping will need to be added still in order to seal out water perfectly.
The cover maintains full function, being able to roll all the way to the cab. The roll gets a bit snug between the front uprights, but can still be rolled through without much effort and secured with the straps up against the cab.
Thanks for reading and as always, hit us up with any questions you may have through our contact page!
Do you make Backflip racks to fit the 2021 Tacoma pickup with the tonneau cover? And how much does it cost? And how long would it take to get it? Also is it higher than the antenna on the top of the cab? Let me know. We need something like this.
Hey Charles, sorry for the delay!
We certainly can make something compatible for that setup.
It’s not something that we have all the measurements sorted out just yet, so we would need to meet up for measurements first.
We can build it at any height you’d like, so we can definitely clear that antenna for you!
If you have any other questions, or want to arrange a time to meet for measurements, don’t hesitate to reach out!
info@overlandracksontario.com
I forgot to ask, do we need bed stiffiners with this?
Depending on the load you’re planning, they are definitely good insurance!
We’re working on a set, but still in the development stage right now.
Thanks,
Sean
Good Day
I like the look of the Overland Rack and also that its Canadian Content.
my question is what is the running and static weight load?
i have a 4-5 person Treeline Tent, will also be mounting extra off road accessories.
Cheers
Hey Byron, sorry for the delay!
Our modular rack will easily support 1200lbs+ static weight and designed for rooftop tents with additional accessories mounted.
A rooftop tent, fuel/water Rotopax containers, hi-lift jack, etc will all be perfectly fine!
Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions. info@overlandracksontario.com
Cheers,
Sean
Just bought a 2021 Ranger Tremor. Found inspiration in your Ranger and other builds with the Rack/Tent/Tonneau platform. I’d like a little more security with my tonneau though. Do you foresee any issues with the Truxedo Sentry CT or Revolver X4 models with your modular rack? I haven’t purchased it yet but both of those look like a similar amount of rail is covered as the soft ones you recommended.
Thanks.
Hey Ryan,
The Sentry and Revolver will install without any trouble.
The only downside being that due to the bulk of the aluminum slats, it won’t roll the last few inches (beyond the rack uprights close to the cab)
Attached a very crude markup at the below link to show what I’m referring to.
Roll-up tonneau cover picture
The cover can be installed with the bed rack and you’ll maintain the main functionality still.
Any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out by email! info@overlandracksontario.com
That’s excellent thank you! I’ll shoot you an email with other questions. Cheers!
Would using the tri-fold brackets lift the rails up enough to allow full opening of the aluminum roll up? Based on the attached photo you gave it seems like it would work.
For reference I will I be installing the BAK Industries Revolver X2.
Cheers!
Tom
Hey Tom,
We haven’t tested that setup yet.
The main purpose of the tri-fold brackets is to accomodate some of the sit on rail trifold covers where the thickness of the brackets is less of a concern.
They would add 2.5″ to the height giving a bit of added clearance, but you have to account for the added thickness (3/16″ brackets vs the standard 1/8″) which can interfere when you have a cover that mounts between the rails like the Revolver.
Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Sean
Did you ever make the video showing the install with the x15 pro cover? If not, can you explain how you secure both the rack and tonneau to the bedrails. Is the rack bolted to the bed then tonneau installed? Are the tonneau clamps enough to secure both the rack and cover? Thanks for the help.
Hi ORO
I’m choising my tonneau as I’m getting a new Silverado 2022.
My choice was for a “BAK revolver x4s” or the equivalent from REV made all by the same company.
I’d like to know if this would work with your system.
Note: I’m unsure if I want to go Modular or Tubular and I haven’t seen any pictures online of my future truck with your sys.
Best regards
Hey Eric,
Our modular racks will work with that cover and our round tube racks can be made to work as well.
Based on the lines of the Silverado, the modular racks are probably a better overall look.
You can check out both our aluminum and steel modular racks below.
https://overlandracksontario.com/store/universal-aluminum-bed-rack/
https://overlandracksontario.com/store/modular-bed-rack/
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at info@overlandracksontario.com
Hi, I’m sorry if this has been covered before but I’ll ask again. I have a 2019 Tacoma Trd Pro with a Bakflip MX4 tonneau, do I need the tri fold brackets? Thanks
Hey Fernando, we’re currently working on brackets to work with that setup.
Bakflip covers relocate the bed rails on the Tacoma which prevents our existing brackets from working.
Expecting them to be ready for the beginning of July.
Cheers, Sean
Does the ORO modular bed rack fit with the 2022 Toyota Tundra OEM tri-fold bed cover?
Hey Ernest – think we answered this via email as well, but just in case – yes, our modular racks will work with the OEM covers – if it’s the large, sit on top type, you would need the tri-fold brackets.
If it’s a flushmounted cover (Bakflip style), the standard brackets will work.
Either way – with a tri-fold cover, you won’t be able to flip it open with the rack mounted, but it will provide you the bed security.
Cheers, Sean