I won’t mess around by waiting to answer the question in the title of this article…
No, all bed racks are not created equally. Some are pretty terrible. Most are perfectly fine. And a select few are a cut above the rest.
The question is, what makes the difference between a “perfectly fine” bed rack and a truly impressive one?
Let’s find out!
Table of Contents
- A Little Context
- The Best Bed Racks are Built Tough
- Invest in a Bed Rack With Modular Capabilities
- Unique Features Make Some Bed Racks a Cut Above
- RecShaw Simply Beats the Competition
A Little Context
The scene at Overland West in 2023
The 4WDTalk team – myself included – is always on the lookout for better gear. We go to trade shows near and far (I always go to Overland West since it’s so close), talk to other outdoor enthusiasts, and field test gear to find out what works and what doesn’t so we can pass that information on to you. After all, outdoor adventures are fun, but they’re much more fun when you have gear that does its job and does it well.
A couple of weeks ago, one of our team members came across something at the PNW Expo that immediately stood out among the other products on display – the RecRac by RecShaw. What made it stand out, you ask?
Well, I’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of this bed rack in the sections below, but here’s a quick flyby…
These racks are completely modular, allowing you to adapt and change them depending on your adventures. This isn’t just handy for long-term planning, but it also enables you to change the rack system for each trip if necessary.
In other words, this rack works for you. It’s not a big, heavy, static rack that gives you one type of setup that you simply have to make do with. Instead, you can use it how you need, when you need it – as it should be!
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The Best Bed Racks are Built Tough
Sure, you can go on Amazon and order a cheap bed rack that’s made overseas, but you and I both know that will be a waste of your money…
Cheap gear wears out and breaks – and not always from extreme use. When investing in gear for overlanding, off-roading, and other adventures, you want something that is built to last and can handle the rough and tumble outdoor life. The RecRac ecosystem certainly fits the bill.
On the one hand, RecShaw designs and builds its products right here in the U.S. Not only does that mean better materials and better craftsmanship, but it also means RecShaw supports local workers and vendors. By purchasing a RecShaw product, you pay it forward to American workers, put your hard-earned money into American communities, and support the very fabric of our nation with every purchase you make. Nice!
On the other hand, RecShaw’s creator and designer, Steve, has more than 40 years of experience in the design and manufacturing industries. In fact, he worked for Walt Disney Imagineering before running a multi-million-dollar vehicle aftermarket product company. In other words, he has the chops to design and build some seriously well-engineered products.
Once Steve developed the initial plans for the RecRac, it was tested in on-road and off-road situations for three years. Three years! During that time, Steve worked with partners around the country to adapt and evolve the rack into what it is today – a unique system offering loads of functionality whether you’re off to go camping, biking, kayaking, or something in between.
Invest in a Bed Rack With Modular Capabilities
As I said earlier, having a bed rack that works with you to meet your unique cargo needs makes all the difference in the world. Adaptability is the name of the game when you want gear that functions well for your specific type of outdoor adventure.
Take the RecRac Tower Assembly (which is available in a 54×42-inch version or a 62×48-inch version) as a perfect example of this…
The tower crossbars have ½-inch slots on the top and bottom, which enable you to mount accessories on either side. Add a rack for your surfboards or kayaks, skis, or bike, or utilize the crossbars for mounting even bigger items, like a rooftop tent.
The RecRac Cargo Basket (for small or midsize vehicles or full-size vehicles) is another excellent example of modularity. Add the basket – which is the only one in the industry with a solid floor – to your vehicle’s existing rack system to enhance your rig’s existing functionality. Alternatively, you can add the basket to the RecRac Tower Assembly described above for a complete storage solution for your truck.
In either case, you get a basket made of polyethylene honeycomb material that’s strong and lightweight. Add a Polyurea spray coating, and this rack is essentially bulletproof when it comes to withstanding the rigors of mud, rain, snow, sleet, and whatever else you throw at it.
The modularity doesn’t stop there, though…
Let’s say you opt for the complete RecRac Cargo System (available for small/midsize vehicles and full-size vehicles), which offers the Cargo Basket and Tower Assembly discussed above. Not only does this system accommodate a payload of 600 pounds, but you can remove the cargo basket at any time.
So, use the cargo basket for transporting gear for a weekend at the beach, then the next weekend, remove the basket and mount your rooftop tent on the Tower Assembly for a camping adventure. And don’t forget that you can add your favorite rack for your bike, skis, and other outdoor equipment, too. Like I said, Steve and his team have put in the time to design something that maximizes functionality to make your outdoor experiences all the better!
Unique Features Make Some Bed Racks a Cut Above
As if all that isn’t enough, RecShaw offers unique features that make the RecRac an even better option for your needs.
For example, you can order a mounting kit that allows you to add the RecRac Cargo Basket to your vehicle’s OEM rack or a Thule or Yakima rack. Furthermore, RecShaw has various clamp kits for mounting the RecRack Tower assembly on most truck beds. V-Rail Block Kits are also available for mounting accessories to the Cargo Basket or Tower Assembly, further extending the usability of this system. Heck, you can even order your cargo system with charging ports on the driver’s side, passenger’s side, or both.
But as a dog lover, the most unique feature of the RecRac system is the built-in kennel option…
Built from heavy 14-gauge steel with a tailgate panel made from .125-inch aluminum, the kennel offers a safe spot for your pets whether you’re driving down the road or stopping roadside for a quick snack or photo opportunity. The constant force hinges allow for easy access to the kennel, while the powder-coating helps improve durability.
Better still, when your best friend isn’t along for the ride, the kennel doubles as a place to keep your expensive gear or tools. If your truck’s tailgate locks, it provides a completely secure space no matter what you’re hauling inside the kennel.
RecShaw Simply Beats the Competition
I’ve seen a lot of bed racks over the years, but very few have been in the “absolutely incredible” category. The RecRac is definitely in that upper echelon. From the design and engineering to the materials to the extreme functionality of this rack, it is nothing if not impressive.
Impressive is precisely what you want when you buy gear for your adventures. “Impressive” to me means well-designed, beautifully built, and extraordinarily functional. It also means the gear does what it’s supposed to do without much – if any – input from me.
If you’re ready to level up your outdoor game with a new bed rack, RecShaw has your back. Head over to their website today to scope out gear that will be a game-changer for your adventures on-road and off!
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