What are the Best Truck Bed Rails?

By Mike Cote - December 10, 2018

You deserve a medal. You’re everyone’s best friend—the one they seek out to solve their every problem and fulfill their every need. You’re the bleeding heart with a truck. Sure, you envisioned throwing your bike in the bed of your truck and heading to the beach or packing up your gear and heading to the mountains, but when your friends saw you pull up in your new truck—they knew you were the one friend they’d always keep.

Putco Side Bed Rails

What Do Truck Bed Rails Do?

From hauling oversized items to helping a broken-hearted pal move, you and your truck are at the top of everyone’s list for friend of the year. So what do you need to fulfill the duties of this most illustrious of posts? Truck bed rails, of course. Think of this ingenious invention, sturdy as a hitching post, to tie up the precious cargo of your friends and family. And, maybe even on your off time, you can secure your own goods and sneak away for a vacation from your friendly duties as truck master.

Westin Bed Rails

The Benefits of Truck Bed Rails

Truck bed rails are easy to install since each manufacturer places holes in the factory bed rails, called stake pockets at different intervals down the rail. So, though Silverado truck rails and Ford Ranger truck rails look identical, this specific mounting system sets them apart. And, it’s this stake pocket that your new bed rails mount to. Once the mounting plates on the rails are lined up with the stake pockets, simply tighten the included fasteners and your rails are mounted. And, when shopping for your new bed rails, look for the following:

• Custom-made specifically for your year, make and model truck bed
• Steel construction for extreme tie-down strength and corrosion-free use
• Minimum strength rating of 350 lbs
• Easy, no-drill installation to your stake pocket holes
• Included hardware
• Lifetime Warranty

Choosing the Best Truck Bed Rails

What are the best truck bed rails for your rig? AmericanTrucks offers a wide variety to choose from. Some of our contenders for best bed rails are diamond plate bed rails, Putco Locker Side Bed Rails, Westin Bed Rails and Dee Zee Bed Rails. If you’re looking for truck bed rails stainless steel type, we’ve got your covered there too. We also have tons of bed rails reviews, so don’t forget to check them out. While you’re in the market for supplies to help you inch closer to the title as Friend of the Year/Truckmaster, why not throw in a tonneau cover to keep your friends’ possessions safe and sound, or maybe you want to do a little protection of your own. And to be sure your truck stands the test of time, protect the ride your friends depend on with one of the many choices of bed liners or bed caps. Hats off to you, Truckmaster—thank you for being a friend!

I'm on off-road enthusiast behind the wheel of a perpetual project 4x4 Tacoma. I like to play in the rocks, but won't shy away from fast runs through the desert. My passion came from my dad whose had me in and around cars for as long as I can remember.

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