? Pickup Truck Ques -- Rail Capacity ?

Question

Where do you go to find out how much weight pickup bed rails are "rated" for?

Local dealer didn't have a clue; 3 other dealers same; Ford customer service and Ford auto engineer same. (Kinda surprised me the manufacturer was so clueless.)

Want to know out of curiosity. Going to build an in-bed rack to hold a pair of ATVs cross-wise. Seen trucks with cargo platforms mounted on the rails, got me to wondering how much weight they could hold.

oakman · Answer

I'm curious, why do you need to know what the pickup truck rails are rated for?  This is something I've never heard of.  What do you plan to do with your truck?

tatest · Answer

I have not seen any bed rails that were anything more than decorative, not for load carrying or tiedowns. Or are you talking about the whole bodyworks on each side of the bed? Or building something up from the stake pockets?

mlts22 · Answer

I'd not want to use bed rails for anything that is load bearing more than a truck cap and a ladder (200-300 pounds.) They tend to be made from sheet metal and more for looks rather than carrying capacity.

If you need load bearing bed rails, I'd consider a cab chassis and a custom bed from an upfitter.

boogie_4wheel · Answer

I've never seen an actual rating.

If the weight is distributed along the bed rail, you could get hundreds of pounds on them. A long bed camper shell can weigh up to 200lbs. Then you could have a roof rack on that holding up to 500lbs (rated). Think about all the******people with ladder racks carry up there.

With something to distribute the weight along the rails I wouldn't hesitate to put 1k on them.

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? Pickup Truck Ques -- Rail Capacity ?

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