FAQ's - Paddler’s Truck Rack

The Paddler’s Truck Rack fits 95% of all pickups on the road today, including Toyota, Nissan, GMC, Ford, and Dodge trucks with conventional fleet side bed rails or Track Systems.

1. What is the Paddler’s Rack used for?

The Paddler’s Truck Rack was designed specifically to carry kayaks and small canoes, because it is very lightweight, can be installed or removed in minutes without any drilling, and because each part of the rack can be installed anywhere along the bed rails to carry loads weighing up to 300 lbs.

2. Will the Paddler’s Truck Rack fit my standard side bed truck?

The Paddler’s Rack is designed to fit any pickup truck with conventional fleet side bed rails. This includes a vast majority of pickup trucks. The model 2010-1FSR is the standard height rack which is about 25” inches high as measured from the bed rail to the top of the crossbar. This is the right height for almost all trucks. The Ford Super Duty trucks and the Dodge Ram Mega Cabs have extra tall cabs, however, and require the model 2010-1FST. This model truck rack measures 27.5 inches tall. Model 2010-1B is also available for standard height cabs. This lower-cost special model is designed to bolt onto rather than clamp onto the bed rails of the truck.

3. Will the Paddler’s Truck Rack fit my newer model Toyota?

The late-model Toyota trucks often have an aluminum rail that runs along the inside of the bed rail on both sides of the truck bed. This is called the Toyota Deck Rail System. Paddler’s Truck Rack model 2010-TRA is designed to attach to the Toyota Tacoma or Tundra with the Deck Rail System. For Toyota trucks without the Deck Rail System, use model 2010-1FSR.

4. Will the Paddler’s Truck Rack fit my newer model Nissan?

The late-model Nissan Frontier and Titan trucks often have an optional aluminum rail that runs along the inside of the bed rail on both sides of the truck bed. This is called the Nissan Utili-Track system. The Paddler’s Truck Rack model 2010-1TRA is designed to attach to the Nissan Titan with the Utili-Track System. For Nissan trucks without the Utili-Track system, use model 2010-1FSR.

5. What is this pickup truck rack made of?

The crossbars of the Paddler’s Rack are a special extrusion of structural aluminum, which has the same exterior dimensions as a Standard Thule Crossbar. The legs and bases of the basic model are powdercoated black. If you live in a high-humidity area, to better resist rust, legs and bases that are first zinc-plated and then powdercoated silver to match the aluminum crossbars are also available. All threaded parts are rust-resistant. Rubbery padding on the bottom of each base helps prevent scratching trucks surface.

6. How does this Pick up Rack attach to my truck and how secure is it?

After the initial assembly, installation of the rack on a truck with conventional standard side bed rails will only take a few minutes. The Paddler’s Rack attaches by employing an integrated clamping system. A clamp bottom is drawn up by means of a screw turned with an Allen wrench. For conventional beds, this squeezes the bed rail of the truck between the clamp below and the base of the rack above. Photos below show rack installed on a conventional bed.

For trucks with track systems, an insert is slid into the end of the Deck Rail or the Utili-Track and secured with a wing knob. Installing the models designed for trucks with track systems will take about the same amount of time to install as those for a conventional bed truck. This rack will safely carry up to 300 lbs of cargo when properly loaded. See the photos below.

7. How long does it take to mount the Paddler’s Rack on my truck?

When one is familiar with the rack, it can be installed in about 5 minutes after the initial assembly. When it arrives in its shipping box the first time, it will take longer. Please read the general and safety instructions carefully.

8. What keeps the rack from scratching my truck?

The top of the truck bed rails that the base of the Rack rests on is protected by rubbery pads on the bottom of the Rack. On standard side bed trucks, the bottom side of the truck bed rail is padded by a hard rubber nub, which prevents direct contact with the clamp.

9. Can I use my truck rack to carry a canoe?

Many canoes can be carried without difficulty; however, some canoes are shaped so there is a large curve on the top of the canoe when viewed from the side. If this is the case, when the canoe is transported upside down as it is commonly carried, both ends of the canoe tend to hand down below the level of the crossbar and may strike the room of the truck cab. If this curve is not too radical, it may be possible to buy the taller model rack, which will raise the height of the crossbars and provide about 2 inches of additional clearance. It is also possible to order the rack with custom height legs.

10. Can I use my rack with a bed liner?

There are many different types of bed liners. Spray-on bed liners offer no obstacle in installing this truck rack. The Paddler’s Rack can be used in any case where the bottom of the clamp can hook around the lip of the bed rail and tighten against the bottom of the bed rail. You can test this by simply putting your palms on the bed rail of your truck and seeing if you can curl your fingers around the lip of the bed rail so your fingertips go up around the lip. The newer style under-the-rail bed liners work easily with the Paddler’s Rack because they allow access to the bottom of the bed rails. The older style over-the-rail bed liners, which were a single piece, will require a slit or a hole being made in the bed liner. U.S. Rack offers a bed liner kit, consisting of a 2-1/2 inch hole saw to make a hole plus 4 plastic caps to plug the holes again later when the rack is removed.

11. What keeps someone from stealing the rack from my truck?

The vast majority of people who see this Truck Rack on a pickup assume that this model rack is actually bolted to the bed of the truck because the integrated clamp is not very visible. However, in order to offer a higher security option for those who are concerned, U.S. Rack offers high-security fasteners, which include keyed button-head cap screws and a matching keyed Allen wrench. When these screws are tightened, neither the clamp bottoms (for the standard side beds) nor special inserts (for trucks with track systems) can be removed.

12. How do I tie down cargo?

Four tie-down eyes are provided on the four bases of the rack for use with ratchet straps, one on each corner of the rack. There is also a tie-down cleat for use with cords or ropes on each of the four legs.

13. Will this rack fit different size trucks?

The Paddler’s Rack is width adjustable and will fit a variety of model trucks. The standard height rack will fit any pickup of a similar bed type (conventional vs track system) with a cab which is 24” tall or shorter. The tall models will fit all pickups of similar bed type no matter how tall the cab is.

14. How long does it take to remove this pick-up rack from my truck?

Once you are familiar with the Paddler’s Truck Rack, you can remove the rack in 5 minutes or less.

15. How can I store my Dual Truck Rack?

This Rack can be stored on two wall hangers. U.S. Truck wall hangers are an optional accessory that is available for purchase when purchasing a rack. They can be screwed into studs of your garage or other wall 32” apart. When hung, the rack fills a space only about 5 feet wide, 2-1/2 feet high, and 1-1/2 feet deep.

16. What color is the Paddler’s Truck Rack?

This rack is aluminum with bases and connector hardware that is either powdercoated black or zinc-plated and powdercoated in a silvery color to match the legs and crossbars. Other color options are available upon request.

17. What are the biggest advantages of the Paddler’s Rack over competing racks?

a. The Paddler’s Rack installs without drilling and preserves the resale value of your truck. b. It can be installed or removed and stored in minutes without heavy lifting. c. It has an expandable crossbar and can fit a variety of trucks. d. It saves fuel because it is lightweight, and you can easily take the rack off when you don’t need it. e. It can safely carry heavy loads of up to 300 lbs. f. It has aluminum crossbars and legs and plated connector elements to resist rust. g. It has eight different tie-down points for ratchet straps, cords, or ropes. h. It can be stored in a compact space or hung on the wall. i. The Paddler’s Rack is a great value. Compare prices, and you’ll be convinced!