Forum Discussion

Boomerweps's avatar
Boomerweps
Explorer
Feb 10, 2020

Pickup truck roof racks?

I'm considering getting a couple roof rack bars for my F150. Why? It's a 4 door short 5.5 bed. Basically, close to a 5.5' square about 18" high when using the tonneau cover. Hauling a long ladder would be easier, on top or even if I did the angle the ladder in the bed over the cab. I'm NOT tying anything against the cab roof unless it's an emergency ;)
I'm looking at no drill strap on roof racks.
Anyone already have done this?
Which brand rack?
I have a soft bag roof luggage carrier from a previous vehicle that I could use again as a bonus.
Tow Vehicles
  • We_ll_See's avatar
    We_ll_See
    Explorer
    Feb 13, 2020
    Thermoguy wrote:
    That's one reason I just don't understand why pick up manufacturers build such a short bed. 6' should be the minimum and even that is too short for many items. If you had a 10' ladder or 8' sheet of plywood, think how much would stick out past the truck...


    Millions of buyers disagree with you. I've hauled lots of 10' long drywall with my 5.5 bed. With the tailgate down it is almost 7.5 feet. And my crew can fits in my garage.
  • alexleblanc's avatar
    alexleblanc
    Explorer
    Feb 11, 2020
    I've used a Thule Rack to haul bicycles on my last truck and also my current truck.



  • Halmfamily's avatar
    Halmfamily
    Explorer
    Feb 11, 2020
    I use a Yakima roof rack, takes about 15 minutes to put on. We haul our kayaks on it while pulling th FW.
  • Boomerweps's avatar
    Boomerweps
    Explorer
    Feb 11, 2020
    riven1950 wrote:
    I use a Thule roof rack in combo with a Yakima bed rack for our kayaks. The reason for the combo is I have a tool box mounted permanently behind the cab. Without the tool box you could use a pair of Thule on roof or a pair of Yakima on the bed rail. Yakima and Thule are not cheap but Very stable. Both can be easily removed.
    2018 F150 CC short bed Eco

    Edit: The Thule is not strapped on. The have rubber pads designed for a specific vehicle and are tightened down with a hex wrench. Real nice fit


    Thanks, I'll have to research those. I was hoping to avoid the cost level of the top brands for an occasional use tool.
  • Boomerweps's avatar
    Boomerweps
    Explorer
    Feb 11, 2020
    Thermoguy wrote:
    That's one reason I just don't understand why pick up manufacturers build such a short bed. 6' should be the minimum and even that is too short for many items. If you had a 10' ladder or 8' sheet of plywood, think how much would stick out past the truck...

    Concur, except...
    With 4 full size doors, my "little" F150 is about 10" longer than my 1998 Expedition was and does not fit in my 1940s garage. This F150 was bought primarily as a daily driver and tow vehicle, moving up from an Explorer. The short bed still provides a lot of utility, but more like a fat mini-truck ;)
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Feb 10, 2020
    My new Silverado is tall enough. I wouldn’t add to that height.
  • riven1950's avatar
    riven1950
    Explorer
    Feb 10, 2020
    I use a Thule roof rack in combo with a Yakima bed rack for our kayaks. The reason for the combo is I have a tool box mounted permanently behind the cab. Without the tool box you could use a pair of Thule on roof or a pair of Yakima on the bed rail. Yakima and Thule are not cheap but Very stable. Both can be easily removed.
    2018 F150 CC short bed Eco

    Edit: The Thule is not strapped on. The have rubber pads designed for a specific vehicle and are tightened down with a hex wrench. Real nice fit
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Feb 10, 2020
    Thermoguy wrote:
    That's one reason I just don't understand why pick up manufacturers build such a short bed. 6' should be the minimum and even that is too short for many items. If you had a 10' ladder or 8' sheet of plywood, think how much would stick out past the truck...


    Classic boomer response, lol.
  • kellem's avatar
    kellem
    Explorer
    Feb 10, 2020
    I've used Yakima roof racks on several different trucks, never an issue.
  • Thermoguy's avatar
    Thermoguy
    Explorer II
    Feb 10, 2020
    That's one reason I just don't understand why pick up manufacturers build such a short bed. 6' should be the minimum and even that is too short for many items. If you had a 10' ladder or 8' sheet of plywood, think how much would stick out past the truck...

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