FAQ's – Rail Truck Rack

The Rail Rack is an ideal rack for carrying kayaks, canoes, ladders, lumber, and so on. Listed below are some of the frequently asked questions on the Rail Rack.

1. Will the Rail Rack fit my truck?

The Rail Truck Rack has two expandable crossbars that telescope for trucks of different widths. It is designed to fit any pickup truck with conventional fleetside bed rails. This includes the vast majority of pickup trucks. The model 2007-2R Rail Rack is the standard height rack which is 26.5 inches 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 2007-2XT Rail Rack, which measures 28.5 inches tall.

2. Will this truck rack fit my newer model Toyota Truck?

The late-model Toyota trucks often have an accessory rail that runs along and just below the top of the bed rails on the sides and front of the bed. This is called the Toyota Deck Rail System. U.S. Rack is one of the only companies to adapt a truck rack to this rail system. Rail Rack models 2007-2TAC and 2007-2TUN are designed to attach with the use of special parts to the Tacoma or Tundra with the Deck Rail System. For Toyota trucks without the Deck Rail System, use Rail Rack model 2007-2R.

3. Will this truck rack fit my newer model Nissan Truck?

The late-model Nissan trucks often have an accessory rail that runs along and just below the top of the bed rails on the sides and front of the bed. This is called the Nissan Utili-Track System. U.S. Rack is one of the only companies to adapt a truck rack to this rail system. Rail Rack models 2007-2FRT and 2007-2TIT are designed to attach with the use of special parts to the Frontier or Titan with the Utili-Track system. For Nissan trucks without the Utili-track system, use Rail Rack model 2007-2R.

4. What is the Rail Truck Rack used for?

The Rail Rack is a very versatile truck rack because it can be installed or removed in minutes without any drilling, because each part of the rack can be installed anywhere along the bed rails to carry loads of varying lengths, because the rack can be easily loaded with a forklift, and because it will carry up to 400 lbs of cargo. The Rail Rack is not just for carrying heavy loads, however. It is ideal for carrying canoes, kayaks, ladders, and other lighter cargo.

5. What is the Rail Truck Rack made of?

The standard Rail Rack is constructed of 8 major interconnecting tubular steel structural parts. The exterior surfaces of these parts have been powdercoated for long service outdoors. All threaded parts are stainless steel. The high-density polyethylene plastic used is in the end caps, and a rubbery material is used to pad the only surfaces that the rack rests on. A high-hardness rubber nub compresses against the bottom side of the truck bed rail with models 2007-2R and 2007-2XT, and metal inserts engage the accessory rail systems with other model racks.

6. How does Rail Rack Model 2007-2U attach to my truck and how secure is it?

These models attach by employing a universal clamp system that is extremely strong and durable. A portion of this nearly invisible clamp extends down from the clamp box on the base of the rack. This clamp extends around the lip of the truck bed rail and then up behind the lip to contact the bottom side of the bed rail. When the clamp screw is tightened, it draws the clamp up firmly. This squeezes the bed rail of the truck between the clamp below and the base of the rack above. To help protect painted surfaces of the truck and prevent slippage, the top of the clamp has a very hard rubber nub held in a steel casing, and the bottom of the rack has rubbery padding. This truck rack will safely carry up to 400 lbs of cargo when load is evenly distributed.

7. How do Rail Rack Models 2007-2TRA, 2007-2FRT attach to my truck and how secure are they?

These models attach by employing inserts that are placed into either the Toyota Deck Rail or the Nissan Utili-Track Systems. Stainless steel screws bind the inserts, rails, and base of the rack firmly together. To prevent slippage, the bottom of the rack has rubbery padding. Because the weight of the rack and its load rests on the bed rails of the truck rather than on the small accessory rail, there is no chance that the weight can press down to dislodge or break the accessory rails on the truck as might occur with another design. This truck rack will safely carry up to 400 lbs of cargo when the load is evenly distributed.

8. How long does it take to mount the Rail Rack on my truck?

When you are familiar with the rack, it can be installed in about 5 minutes. When it arrives in its shipping box the first time, please read the installation instructions and safety warnings carefully. This will require some additional time.

9. What keeps the truck rack from scratching my truck?

Rubbery pads on the bottom of the rack protect the top of the truck bed rails.

10. Can I use my truck rack in conjunction with a tool box?

Yes. Since the base of the rack lies flat on the bed rail, a cross-mounted or side-mounted tool box can sit on the base of the rack. In order to determine how wide a box should be to fit, measure the distance between the bed rails and then subtract one inch from each side to account for the width of the clamp boxes on Models 2007-2R and 20007-2XT, or subtract ½ inch from each side to account for the inserts on other models.

11. Can I use my truck rack with a bed liner?

There are many different types of bed liners. Spray-on bed liners offer no obstacle in installing the Rail Rack. The 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. The newer style under-the-rail bed liners work easily with the Rail 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.

12. Are other accessories available that will work with my Rail Rack?

Yes. The Rail rack works with Malone Kayak and Canoe carriers.

13. What keeps someone from stealing the Rail Rack from my truck?

The vast majority of people who see a Rail Truck Rack on a pickup assume that it is bolted to the bed of the truck because the clamp is not easily visible. However, in order to offer a higher security option for those who are concerned, U.S. Rack offers high-security screws, which include a keyed button-head cap screws and matching keyed Allen wrench as a separate option. When these screws are tightened, the nut tubes cannot be turned, and the rack cannot be removed.

14. Can I bolt the Rail Rack to my truck?

One of the principal advantages of the Rail Rack is that it can be installed without drilling. However, some people may prefer to drill holes through the base of the rack and through the top or side of their bed rail and attach it. U.S. Rack recommends that if you choose to attach your rack by means of screws that you use multiple machine screws at least 3/8 inches in diameter in each base with a washer and nylon lock nut under the bed rail.

15. Can I employ only one half of the Rail Rack?

Yes. People frequently use only one half of a Rail Rack mounted either at the front or the back of the bed. Some use half a Rail Rack mounted at the back of the bed when they place a roof rack on the top of their cab to carry extra long loads. Some use half a Rail Rack mounted at the front of the bed to stand up ladders or lumber against it to carry occasional loads for shorts distances. Often Rail Rack owners leave the front section mounted right behind the cab on all the time, and then mount the back section only when they have to carry loads that are too long to carry in the bed.

16. How do I tie down cargo?

A tie-down hook is provided on each leg of the rack for use with ropes and 2 additional tie-down holes are also provided in the gussets at the top and bottom of each leg for anchoring the hooks on ratchet straps. This is a total of 12 tie-down points.

17. Can I load cargo on my truck rack with a forklift?

Yes. Simply ensure that the front and back portions of the rack are far enough apart to allow the forks of the lift to pass between them.

18. Can the Rail Rack be placed anywhere along the bed rail?

Yes. The Rail Rack can be located and moved easily by loosening the clamping system and then sliding it down the bed rail to a new location.

19: How long does it take to remove the Rail Rack from my truck?

Once you are familiar with the truck rack, you can remove it in 5 minutes or less.

20: How can I store my truck rack?

The Rail Rack can be stored on two wall hangers. U.S. Truck wall hangers are an optional accessory. They can be screwed into studs of your garage or other wall 32” apart. When hung together, the front and back sections of the rack fill a space only about 5 feet wide, 2-1/2 feet high, and 2 feet deep. The rack can also be disassembled and stored and carried in the utility bag (red or blue), which is an optional accessory. See the figures below for both of these accessories.

21. What color is the truck rack?

The standard Rail Rack is offered in black. The Rail Rack can be specially coated in white.

22. What are the biggest advantages of the Rail Rack over competing truck racks?

• The Rail Rack can be installed or removed and stored in minutes without heavy lifting.
• It has an expandable crossbar and can fit a variety of trucks.
• It's lightweight, thus saving fuel, and can easily be removed when you don’t need it.
• It can safely carry heavy loads of up to 400 lbs.
• It can be stored in a compact space or hung on the wall.
• The Rail Rack is a great value. Compare prices, and you’ll be convinced.