Best Bed Rack for a Tacoma: What I'd Buy and Why (2026)
I earn a commission if you buy through these links or codes, at no extra cost to you. I only list brands I've used or tested on my own trucks.
For most Tacoma owners, I'd get the upTOP TRUSS. It's the bed rack on my 2024 Tacoma's mod list, and code TVO5 takes 5% off at upTOP. Get the mid height if you want it low, and the full height if you're running a rooftop tent or tall gear. If you want lockable storage you can reach from the ground, look at the Leitner ACS instead.
So, I've been putting bed racks on Tacomas since 2019. I've installed an RCI, a TRUSS and a Leitner ACS, and I covered the Kuat IBEX when it came out. Here's how I'd choose between them.
The four racks at a glance
Prices are from the brand and Runnin4Tacos listings on November 3, 2026, before any code. They change, so check before you order. A dash means the listing didn't give a rating, and I won't guess.
| Rack | Listed price | Moving / parked rating | Get it if |
|---|---|---|---|
| upTOP TRUSS | $1,105 on sale at upTOP (normally $1,300) | 400 lb / 1,200 lb | You want one rack with a version for your height and bed cover |
| Kuat IBEX | $1,589 (5'3") or $1,679 (6'2") | 300 lb / 1,200 lb | You want to switch between mid and full height yourself |
| Leitner ACS Forged | $2,099 | — | You want lockable pods you can reach from the ground |
| RCI 18" HD | $809 to $849 by bed length | — | You want the lowest price of the four |
Why I'd go with the TRUSS
I installed the TRUSS on a Tacoma back in 2020, and it was on the mod list when I did my one year, 22,000 mile review of our 2024 Tacoma. It's thick aluminum, and the side panels already have holes and slots for accessories. Maxtrax, Rotopax and a shovel or axe can all go on the panels without you fabricating anything.
In that 2020 video I said it holds over a thousand pounds. That's only true when you're parked. upTOP's current listing rates it at 1,200 lb static and 400 lb dynamic. So go by the 400 lb number for whatever you're carrying down the trail, and keep it evenly distributed.
Which TRUSS to buy
There are several versions, so take a minute here. Here's what upTOP lists now:
| Version | Height | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Mid Height | 11.75" | Keeping it low, and full use of a Diamondback cover |
| Full Height | 21.25" | Rooftop tents and tall gear underneath |
| Variable Height | 19" to 26", in 1" steps | Dialing in the height you want |
| Soft Top Compatible | 19" to 26", in 1" steps | BesTop and Softopper canopies |
| Diamondback version | Mid or full | A Diamondback bed cover |
When you order, you also pick the mount: cargo rails, no cargo rails (a no-drill clamp kit), or a Retrax XR cover. Factory rails aren't included, so look at your bed first. The side panels adjust from 5 to 6.5 feet in 1-inch steps.
One thing that changed: when I got the upTOP rack for our 2024 Tacoma, I said it adjusted to fit 5 to 8 foot beds. The current TRUSS listing says 6.5 feet max, so go by the listing.
If you want a bed cover and a bed rack
- Retrax: this is what I paired with the TRUSS on my 2024 Tacoma. The cover slides open under the rack, so you still get into the bed and your gear stays clean. upTOP's Retrax mount is listed for the XR and XR Pro.
- Diamondback: the mid height lets the cover work fully. With the full height it only opens about halfway, and the variable height limits it a lot. That's from upTOP's listing, so if you need the cover wide open, go mid.
- BesTop or Softopper: get the Soft Top Compatible TRUSS.
If you want storage instead of a bare rack
The Leitner ACS is a different idea. It carries your gear in lockable GearPODS that are water and dust resistant, and you open them from the ground. There's no climbing in the bed or up on the roof. I like having chairs, hammocks and all that with me when I take the family to the park, and this rack makes that easy.
It costs the most of the four. Runnin4Tacos sells it, and the listing covers 2005-2023 Tacoma short and long beds and the 2024+ short bed. If you have a 2024+ long bed, check with them first. Code TVO10 is for Runnin4Tacos.
The other two
Kuat IBEX: Kuat is known for bike racks, and this was their move into overland gear. It goes from mid to full height right out of the box, with telescoping crossbars and hardware for Retrax and other retractable covers. Its 300 lb moving rating is lower than the TRUSS, and it costs more. The Runnin4Tacos Tacoma listing is for 2005-2023, so I wouldn't assume it fits a 2024+. My video on it was the unveil, not a long-term test.
RCI: the one I installed in 2019 bolts to the stock rails with no drilling, and I recommended it for anyone mounting a rooftop tent. I also did a video on their 18-inch cab height rack, which is adjustable and fits other trucks with the right brackets. Runnin4Tacos lists it as the RCI 18" HD Bed Rack. Those videos are on a 3rd gen, so check your fitment if you have a 2024+.
Before you bolt anything on: stiffen the bed
Tacoma beds are composite. They don't dent or rust, but strength is the weak spot. With added weight like a rooftop tent, the bedsides can bow out over time, and going off-road adds a lot of flex. So if you're putting real weight on a rack, I'd do bed stiffeners too.
- 2016-2023 Tacoma: Runnin4Tacos sells their own stiffeners. TVO10 is the code there.
- 2024+ Tacoma: upTOP lists a no-drill stiffener that uses the factory holes. TVO5 is the code there. It was about $184 on sale when I checked.
My verdict
If you want one rack that fits your height and your bed cover, get the TRUSS. For me personally, that's what went on our 2024 Tacoma. If you care more about lockable storage than a bare rack, and the price doesn't scare you, get the Leitner. If you're on a budget and have a 3rd gen, the RCI is the cheap way in.
About the TVO5 code: upTOP's rack was already marked down when I checked. Most stores take one code per order, and a sale may or may not combine with it. Try it at checkout and see. Runnin4Tacos also lists the TRUSS at $1,300, so compare both before you pay. Here's the full upTOP discount code post and the Runnin4Tacos code post.
FAQ
What's the best bed rack for a 2024 Tacoma?
I went with the upTOP TRUSS and a Retrax cover on mine. The Leitner ACS is also listed for the 2024+ short bed. Check fitment for your bed length before you order.
How much weight can a Tacoma bed rack hold?
It depends on the rack, and moving and parked ratings are very different. The TRUSS is listed at 400 lb moving and 1,200 lb parked. The Kuat IBEX is 300 lb moving and 1,200 lb parked.
Mid height or full height bed rack?
Mid height (11.75" on the TRUSS) if you want it low or need a Diamondback cover to open fully. Full height (21.25") if you run a rooftop tent or tall gear.
Can you run a bed cover with a bed rack on a Tacoma?
Yes. I paired a Retrax with the TRUSS, since it slides open under the rack. upTOP also has versions for Diamondback covers and for BesTop and Softopper canopies.
Does a bed rack need drilling on a Tacoma?
Not the TRUSS. upTOP has a cargo rail mount and a no-drill clamp kit for trucks without rails. The RCI I installed also bolted to the stock rails with no drilling.