Truck Racks and Accessories

What is the best car truck accessory on the market today? Well, if you were a sport enthusiast like me, you would probably say a Sports Rack. Sports racks come in various shapes and sizes as well as price ranges. Price does not always indicate a more quality product. Some are made of steel, others aluminum. There are bike racks, surfboard racks, kayak racks, ski racks, and cargo racks. Several articles describe roof or gutter mount systems. I would like to focus this article on Truck Bed Racks.

Truck Racks for hauling sports equipment are now in demand. Consumers are looking for more options. Some people want to mount their equipment on the cab or on top of a shell with a roof or gutter mount rack; others are looking to mount their gear in the bed of the truck or onto a trailer hitch. Each application appeals to various segments of the population.

For those truckers that feel their options are limited with a shell or roof rack system, there are the bed mount racks. Thule’s Xsporter is a massive example. It is big but so is the price tag averaging $550. Height is adjustable. Additional hardware is needed.

It works well for hauling gear over 10 ft. in length and 400 lbs.

Yakima Outdoorsman 300 is another option for carrying long kayaks etc. over 10 ft and up to 300 lbs. At a price of $180 per pair $360 for a set of four, it is a less expensive option without the height adjustment.

For sportsman not needing the extra length cab over, Love 2 Surf™ has a more affordable option. The L2S Sport Rack Brackets mount Thule and Yakima accessories to the bed rail or directly onto Toyota’s bed cleats. The weather sealed steel can easily hold 200 lbs or 110 lbs on one of Toyota’s bed cleats. That is more than enough security for most avid sportsman. The cost of a set of four is $129. Add a pair of crossbars for approximately $60 and your total system cost is under $200. One advantage with this product is that mounted to Toyota’s rail system you only have to slide them out of the way if you need to load or haul other equipment. Unlike most products today, L2S products are made in the USA!