ARTICULATING VS. STATIC TRUCK BED RACKS
A bed rack lets you carry a rooftop tent, bikes or cargo above your truck bed. The trade-off is that whatever sits on the rack also sits between you and the bed. How much that matters depends on what kind of rack you choose.
Most bed racks on the market are either fixed or height-adjustable. Axiorax is different: it's an articulating rack that lifts open with your gear still on it.
AT A GLANCE
| Low fixed rack | High fixed rack | Height-adjustable rack | Axiorax articulating rack | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truck bed access | Through the tailgate or sides, under the load | Through the tailgate or sides, under the load | Through the tailgate or sides, under the load | Lift the rack to open the bed from the sides, rear and above |
| Rack height | Low, near the bed rails | Tall, around cab height or above | Lowered for driving, raised for tall loads (unload to adjust) | Low, near the bed rails |
| Aerodynamics | Good: load stays behind the cab | Poor: load sits in the wind above the cab | Mediocre when lowered, poor when raised | Good: load stays low behind the cab |
| Center of gravity | Low | High | Mid when lowered, high when raised | Low |
| Roll-up tonneau covers | Depends on the rack's mounts | Depends on the rack's mounts | Depends on the rack's mounts | Works with covers that clamp to the bed rail |
| Price | Low to mid | Low to mid | Mid to high | Mid-range, from $1,700 |
FIXED RACKS
Fixed racks bolt to the bed and stay put. Low fixed racks keep the load near the bed rails. High fixed racks raise it to around cab height so longer loads can extend over the cab.
- Good for: gear you rarely need to get under, and owners who want the simplest setup with nothing to adjust.
- The catch: with a rooftop tent on top, the bed is reachable only from the tailgate and sides. Even a tall rack leaves only about 3 to 4 ft of clearance, so anything near the front of the bed means crawling in, or taking the tent off. Tall racks also raise the truck's center of gravity and put the load in the wind above the cab.
HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE RACKS
Height-adjustable racks can be lowered for everyday driving and raised for tall loads like ladders or kayaks.
- Good for: owners who want to switch between low-profile driving and tall cargo, and don't mind unloading the rack to do it.
- The catch: raising the rack doesn't open up the bed. With a tent mounted, getting to your gear works the same as with a fixed rack. Load ratings may also be limited.
THE AXIORAX ARTICULATING RACK
Axiorax hinges open. Lift the rear and gas struts assist as the whole rack articulates up and out of the way, tent and all, opening the bed from the sides, rear and above. Pulling the pins and opening it takes about 10 seconds, and setting the safety props takes about 30 more.
- Good for: rooftop tent owners who use their truck bed as a truck bed, not just a tent platform, and who want to keep the tent low.
- The catch: the rack is designed to open with up to 200 lbs loaded, so heavier setups need lightening before opening. The front of the tent moves toward the cab as the rack opens, so taller tents need more room behind the cab.
WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?
- A fixed rack if you rarely need the bed while the tent is mounted, or you want the lowest cost.
- A height-adjustable rack if you carry tall loads now and then, don't need to get into the bed from above, and don't mind unloading the rack when you need to change the height.
- Axiorax if you want easy access to your truck bed, want the load kept low, or want to keep using a roll-up tonneau cover.
See Specs & Fitment for the full Axiorax details, or the FAQ for common questions.