Bed racks for the Ram 1500, whether the tailgate says Dodge Ram or Ram: 1994–2001, 2002–2008, 2009–2018 and 2019 on. Ram 1500 beds come straight or tapered, so most racks below have a straight-bed and a tapered-bed version; after that it's four uprights or six, a height, and the cover you run. XTR1 and XTR3 racks are built to order, to your height requirements, with T-slot profile construction, and they install without drilling. Every one is made in Wichita, Kansas.
Ram 1500 racks at a glance
| Rack |
From |
Pick your bed |
Heights |
Rated* |
Notes |
| XTR1 Pre-configured |
$1,649.99 |
Straight or tapered
|
17" mid or 23" cab |
450 / 850 / 1,550 lb |
Four uprights; Stage 1 through 3c add MOLLE plates, AXS gates and slide-outs |
| XTR3 Pre-configured |
$2,149.99 |
Straight or tapered
|
17" mid or 23" cab |
500 / 850 / 1,750 lb |
Six uprights and a third crossbar, same Stage bundles |
| XTR1 Custom Height |
$1,799.99 |
Straight or tapered
|
10" to 26" |
450 / 850 / 1,550 lb |
Standard Width, Wide Width or Retrax bracket |
| XTR3 Custom Height |
$2,299.99 |
Straight or tapered
|
10" to 26" |
500 / 850 / 1,750 lb |
Six uprights at the whole-inch height you choose |
| XTR1 for Retrax XR |
$1,649.99 |
Straight or tapered
|
17" mid or 23" cab |
450 / 850 / 1,550 lb |
Mounts on the Retrax rails, so the cover keeps rolling |
| XTR3 for Retrax XR |
$2,149.99 |
Straight or tapered
|
17" mid or 23" cab |
500 / 850 / 1,750 lb |
Six uprights on a Retrax XR |
| XTR1 Soft Topper |
$1,579.99 |
Straight or tapered in one menu |
24" or 25" |
450 / 850 / 1,550 lb |
13.3° uprights for a Softopper, Fas-Top or Bestop |
| XTR3 Soft Topper |
$2,199.99 |
Straight or tapered in one menu |
24" or 25" |
500 / 850 / 1,750 lb |
All six uprights at 13.3° |
| XBRS Bed Bars |
$732 |
Straight or tapered
|
6" or 8" |
400 / 800 / 1,500 lb |
Universal or Retrax XR mount; also fits the Ram 2500/3500 |
| XO.SKLTN Topper System |
$2,550 |
5'7" or 6'4" bed |
17" mid or 24" full |
1,550 lb static |
A frame that becomes a locking topper once its panels go on |
*Off-road / on-road / parked, load spread evenly, or the bed rails' own rating if that is lower.
Straight or tapered? Measure before you order
Ram 1500 beds were built both ways, and the rack has to match. From the inside edge of the bed rails, measure the width of the bed at the front, behind the cab, and again at the tailgate. The same number at both ends means a straight bed; a narrower or wider number at one end means a tapered bed. On the rack menus, 1994–2001 trucks are listed as tapered beds only.
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Bed lengths: the 5'7" short bed and the 6'4" bed (6'3" on 2002–2008 trucks), listed as "Short" and "Regular" on most menus.
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Years: 2019+, 2009–2018 and 2002–2008, plus 1994–2001 for tapered beds.
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8-ft bed: contact us before ordering so we can confirm what fits.
A rack with a tonneau cover
You don't have to give up a bed cover to run a rack on a Ram 1500. Pick the rack that matches the cover:
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Soft or roll-up tonneau: most racks ship with Wide Width brackets that hold the rack 3" above the bed rails, room for most of these covers to keep working. Custom Height racks can take Standard Width brackets instead, 1.35" above the rails.
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Retrax XR: the Retrax XR versions of the XTR1 and XTR3, straight or tapered, bolt to the cover's T-slot rails. XBRS comes with a Retrax XR mount option, and a Retrax EQ takes a Custom Height rack on the Retrax bracket.
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Softopper, Fas-Top or Bestop: the Soft Topper racks, at 24" or 25", angle their uprights to sit over the topper. In most cases the topper can't fold down with the rack in place.
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Other covers with built-in T-slot rails: send us the model first.
Need the cover too? Shop Ram 1500 bed covers.
17" or 23", and a tent over the cab
At 17" the rack stays low and gear on top is easier to reach; the 23" option, labeled cab height in the menus, opens up more room underneath. For a rooftop tent that overhangs the cab, check how high the roof (or a roof rack) rises above the bed rail and choose a Custom Height rack at least 1" taller.
What the three load ratings cover
The off-road number applies on rough ground, the on-road number at highway speed, and the static number while parked, including a tent with people inside. Each assumes an even load, and the rack plus everything on it and in the truck counts toward the payload on the door-jamb sticker. See our overlanding payload article for how to add it up.
Ram 1500 bed rack questions
Is drilling required on a Ram 1500?
No. The racks fasten to the factory bed rails with the bed rail brackets supplied, or to the cover rails on the Retrax XR versions, and remove without leaving holes.
Does it matter if my truck is a Dodge Ram or a Ram?
No. Pick the years and bed that match your truck; the badge doesn't change the fit. What does matter is straight versus tapered, so measure first.
XTR1 or XTR3 on a Ram 1500?
The XTR3 puts a middle upright on each side and a third crossbar across the bed, so long or heavy loads rest on more points, and it is rated 500 lb off-road against the XTR1's 450 lb. The XTR1 is simpler, lighter and starts $500 lower.
Can a Ram 1500 bed rack carry a rooftop tent?
Yes. Mount it to the crossbars with our stainless Rooftop Tent Brackets, keep the tent and its occupants inside the static rating, and keep the total on the rack inside the on-road rating when the truck is moving.
Open rack or XO.SKLTN?
An open rack leaves the bed reachable from every side and carries long gear and tents up top. The XO.SKLTN encloses the bed behind three locking doors once you add its panels, either as Stage 2A or 2B or later with the Ram 1500 Topper Panel Add-On Kit.
Can I change the height later?
Yes, with the Alternate Height and Conversion Kit for a straight or tapered Ram 1500 bed. It supplies uprights from 10" to 26" and can also turn an XTR1 into an XTR3; side and top braces for the new height are ordered separately.
Next steps
XTR1 and XTR3 racks include our Lifetime Warranty. Unsure about straight versus tapered, or anything else? Call (316) 330-0024 or write to support@xtrusion-overland.com. Proudly made in the USA.
