Top 5 Bed Racks for Toyota Tacoma

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Having a truck bed unlocks a world of possibilities. From packing up the family for a weekend adventure to being the first person people call when they need help moving something, the potential of a truck bed is practically limitless.

Combine the universal applications of a truck bed with a proven platform like the Toyota Tacoma, and you have a winning combination. Not only do you have the versatility of the bed, but you also get the capability and reliability of the Tacoma itself. It’s a match made in heaven for off-road explorers, hard-working hustlers, active families, and more.

For those who want to add even more potential to their Tacoma, bed racks are a compelling option. Not only do they enhance the appearance of your truck (we all know this is the most important factor), but they also allow you to use your truck bed in new and creative ways.

With so many aftermarket options flooding the market, it can be difficult to sort through them and choose the best bed rack for your Toyota Tacoma. To kickstart your decision-making process and help you find the perfect rack for your truck, we’ve put together a list of the top bed racks for Toyota Tacomas below.

Why You Need a Toyota Tacoma Bed Rack

The Toyota Tacoma is a capable, durable mid-size truck in its stock form. For some, the functionality it offers directly from the factory is more than enough. If you’re looking to add even more versatility to your Tacoma, a bed rack is a good way to go about it.

There are several advantages to equipping your Tacoma with a bed rack. While we’re positive the list could stretch on indefinitely, there are a handful of bed rack benefits that stand out as particularly compelling. If you’re a Tacoma owner, you’ll want to consider the following uses for bed racks before you buy one.

Additional Storage

Even if you opted for the six-foot bed offered on the Tacoma, bed space is limited. Whether you’re embarking on an extended overland expedition or loading the truck up for a family trip to the beach, the space in the truck bed disappears quickly.

A bed rack increases your truck’s storage capacity without interfering with the use of the bed below in most scenarios. From carrying kayaks that are too large to fit in the bed to acting as a mounting surface for bike racks, shovels, and other gear, bed racks help unlock the greater potential of your Tacoma.

Organization

Even with a toolbox or drawer system, it can be difficult to keep the bed of your Toyota Tacoma organized. Things tend to slide about, get jumbled up, and get chaotic. A bed rack helps you change that, whether you’re hitting the trail or the job site.

A bed rack gives you a second tier of storage with built-in mounting solutions. Most bed racks for the Tacoma are designed with accessories and attachments in mind, making it easy to organize your gear as you see fit.

Rooftop Tents

While rooftop tents have become a social media trope, there’s no denying their advantages. They’re convenient, comfortable, and hold several other benefits over their ground-bound counterparts.

For those who want to mount a rooftop tent for their Toyota Tacoma, a bed rack is one of the best ways to go about it. Overland bed racks, in particular, are designed with rooftop tents in mind, giving you flexible mounting options and plenty of additional storage solutions. A proper bed rack can transform your Tacoma from a commuter vehicle to an expedition basecamp in no time.

Things to Consider When Buying a Bed Rack

Before you rush out and buy the first bed rack that strikes your fancy, there are a couple of key considerations you should know about. It is better to do a little research and purchase a high-quality rack that will fit your needs than end up with one that falls short.

Weight Capacity

If you plan to put any significant weight on your bed rack, you need to be certain that it will support it safely. You should be able to find the weight ratings of any rack in question–if you can’t, either reach out to the manufacturer for that information or select a different rack.

When it comes to weight ratings, there are two numbers you should be concerned about–static and dynamic.

The first of these, static weight, refers to the weight the rack can safely hold when stationary. So, when you park at camp for the night, you will want a bed rack with a static weight rating high enough to hold your tent, your gear, and any occupants of the tent.

Dynamic weight rating will always be lower than its static counterpart. Many rack manufacturers will provide two dynamic weight ratings–one for on-pavement activities and the other for off-road. If you plan to venture onto rough terrain, you will want to pay particular attention to the off-road dynamic weight rating of the bed rack.

Bed Rack Height

Another key aspect of bed rack buying is to evaluate what height rack you need and limit your search to options that fit that criterion. Different manufacturers may offer different options, but there are three main categories of bed racks for Toyota Tacomas–low, mid, and cab-height racks. Often, the same rack is available in all three iterations.

Low and mid-height racks will leave the top mounting surface below the roofline of your Tacoma. This isn’t a problem if you’re not carrying long objects regularly or opting for a long rooftop tent. If you do plan to have gear or your home-on-the-go extend over the cab, you will want a cab-height rack. If you want the best of all worlds, there are a handful of bed racks that feature adjustable heights.

The Best Toyota Tacoma Bed Racks

If you’ve had enough of the details and want to jump into the top bed racks for your Toyota Tacoma (or maybe you just skipped ahead to this section), the wait is over. Without further adieu, here are our picks for the best Tacoma bed racks.

CBI Off-Road Overland Rack for Toyota Tacoma

One of the top names in the Toyota Tacoma aftermarket community is CBI Off-Road. This manufacturer has a lot going for it, including a comprehensive product line and American manufacturing. If made in the USA matters to you, this company should definitely be on your radar.

CBI’s aptly-titled Overland Rack is designed with overlanders in mind and has the features to back up its moniker. It has plenty of mounting options on its side panels and pillars, allowing you to easily carry all your gear into the backcountry. It even has integrated tie-down points to ensure your bulky items stay secure.

The Overland Rack comes only in a low-profile style, keeping it well below the roofline of your Tacoma. The top crossbars of the rack are designed specifically for mounting rooftop tents–a benefit to those with aspirations of off-grid camping.

In addition to being made in the USA, the CBI Off-Road Overland Rack for the Toyota Tacoma is available in steel or aluminum. The latter is particularly interesting, as it keeps the weight lower–something most overland Tacomas can benefit from.

Leitner Active Cargo System for Toyota Tacoma

Another American-made Tacoma bed rack, the Leitner Active Cargo System is as innovative as they come. It has tremendous specifications, including impressive weight ratings, and is forged from aluminum. In many ways, it is the top-of-the-line bed rack available for the Toyota Tacoma.

Aside from its sturdiness and phenomenal build quality, the Leitner Active Cargo System is exactly that–a system. When you buy the rack, you buy into a family of products that can revolutionize the way you utilize your truck.

The Leitner Tacoma Rack features a sliding crossbar that allows you to use the entirety of your bed for oversized items (like motorcycles). Leitner also offers Gear Pods that range in size and functionality. They are lockable and watertight, giving you additional storage space.

This American-made Tacoma bed rack sits nearly even with the cab of the Tacoma, so you can mount large tents or carry items that extend over the roof.

Cali Raised Toyota Tacoma Overland Bed Rack

This rack is available in three different heights, giving you the opportunity to select the right one for your Tacoma build. It is 80% aluminum and made right here in the USA. Thanks to its high-quality materials and thoughtful design, the Cali Raised Tacoma Bed Rack is durable, sturdy, and ready to facilitate your wildest adventures.

Despite its impressive strength, the rack weighs only 55 pounds. It is easy to install and remove, giving you the flexibility to equip your Tacoma with it only when you need it or leave it on full-time. The side panels are laser cut with a MOLLE pattern, making mounting accessories straightforward.

upTOP Overland Toyota Tacoma Truss Bed Rack

When it comes to uniqueness and versatility, few bed racks match the upTOP Overland Truss Bed Rack for the Toyota Tacoma. It is constructed of aluminum, making it very lightweight while retaining strength. upTOP Overland didn’t stop with premium material, either. This Tacoma bed rack has adjustable legs, meaning the height of the rack can be adjusted to your liking.

The real selling point of this bed rack–as if there aren’t enough already–is that it is compatible with your Tacoma Softopper. With this rack, you can enjoy the security, weather resistance, and versatility of the Softopper while experiencing the benefits of a bed rack, such as mounting gear and a rooftop tent.

As a bonus, upTOP Overland manufactures this Tacoma Softopper Bed Rack in Colorado.

Fab Fours Ultimate Overland Rack

If you crave something a bit different than the standard bed rack fare, the  Fab Fours Ultimate Overland Rack for Toyota Tacoma is for you. This American-made rack is built of solid steel, making two treads short of being a tank. Despite being overbuilt and embracing Fab Four’s unique, iconic aesthetic, the thoughtful features are what really set this rack apart from the rest.

With built-in spots for lighting, dedicated steps for getting on top of the rack or truck, bountiful mounting points for accessories, tie-down points, and the ability to turn the top into a solid floor, the Ultimate Overland Rack has features galore.

Equipping Your Tacoma for Adventure

The Toyota Tacoma is the perfect truck for overlanding, whether you’re a full-timer or a weekend warrior. Even if you’re primarily using your Tacoma for everyday family activities or work, adding a bed rack increases the versatility of your truck. It is one of the simplest ways to transform your truck into a do-it-all machine.

If you’re looking for the best bed racks for Toyota Tacoma, TacomaBeast is your ultimate resource. With a wide selection of bed racks, including those mentioned here. You can also find all of your other Tacoma modifications and accessories, from lift kits to bumpers. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or for guidance in achieving your dream Tacoma build.

When you’re not shopping for new parts for your Toyota Tacoma, be sure to check out our YouTube channel and our blog. Both feature exciting Tacoma content ranging from product installations to epic adventures. They’re informative, inspirational, and home to all things Toyota Tacoma!