Overland and work gear for the Ram 1500 in one place, Dodge-badged trucks included: straight- and tapered-bed XTR racks and the XO.SKLTN topper from our Wichita shop, billet tie-downs, a tailgate panel, dash phone mounts, and Ark splash guards for the standard 1500, TRX and RHO. To compare racks by bed, height and price, use Ram 1500 bed racks.
Building out a Ram 1500
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Start with the bed shape. Ram 1500 beds are straight or tapered, and the XTR1, XTR3, Retrax XR and Custom Height racks each come in both. Measure the bed's width at the cab end and the tailgate end: if they differ, order the tapered version. Soft topper racks and the XO.SKLTN cover both shapes in one listing.
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Rack or locking topper. XTR racks run 17" or 23" with Stage bundles, or 10" to 26" as Custom Height. XBRS bed bars sit at 6" or 8" for a lower profile. The XO.SKLTN closes up into a topper with three locking doors, ordered with its panels or upgraded later with the Topper Panel Add-On Kit.
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Secure the load. Charvonia's Ram 1500 billet rail tie-downs replace the plastic factory cleats, and the Ram billet bed tie-downs replace the Mopar bed anchors. Both have a center slot that holds ratchet-strap hooks.
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Work surface on the tailgate. The TrailGate Panel lays 1/8" aluminum over the tailgate, $299 with optional cup holders. Check your tailgate's bolt pattern: the menu has separate panels for the current Ram 1500, the TRX and RHO, the Rebel, the Ram 1500 Classic and older trucks.
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Hang gear on the rack. MOLLE plates, slide-outs, AXS gates, Rooftop Tent Brackets and the XTR Awning Upright Kit bolt into the T-slots. To change height, or add the XTR3's middle uprights, use the Alternate Height and Conversion Kit for a straight or tapered bed.
Cab and wheel wells
Ram 1500 build questions
Do accessories need to match my bed shape?
The racks and the Alternate Height and Conversion Kit do, because they attach to the bed rails. MOLLE plates, gates, slide-outs and tent brackets bolt to the rack itself, so they fit either version.
Open rack or XO.SKLTN on a Ram 1500?
Choose the open rack for a rooftop tent and side access to the bed; choose the XO.SKLTN to keep gear locked and out of the weather. Our article on racks versus overland and fiberglass toppers goes deeper.
How do I keep the build under payload?
Add up the rack, what rides on it, everything in the bed and everyone in the cab, and compare the total to the payload on the door-jamb sticker. The rack has its own limits too: for an XTR1, 450 lb off-road, 850 lb on-road and 1,550 lb parked. The payload guide has the full method.
Can I try a layout first?
Yes. Our 3D bed rack builder lets you place plates, gates and slide-outs on the rack before adding it all to your cart.
Covering the bed as well? See Ram 1500 bed covers. The XTR racks and XO.SKLTN on this page are designed and built in Wichita, Kansas, and the XTR1 and XTR3 come with our Lifetime Warranty. Working out a Ram 1500 build? Email support@xtrusion-overland.com or call (316) 330-0024.
