Pickup truck owners often look for ways to protect their cargo and provide security. Two popular accessories for doing this are headache racks and tonneau covers. But can these two items be used together? The short answer is yes, you can mount a headache rack with a soft tonneau cover – with some caveats.
What is a Headache Rack?
A headache rack, also known as a cab protector or cab guard, is a metal structure installed behind the cab of a pickup truck. Headache racks are designed to:
- Protect the rear window of the truck cab from shifting cargo that could smash into it.
- Provide a mounting point for lights or other accessories.
- Add a layer of security by blocking access to the cab from the truck bed.
Headache racks come in various sizes, shapes, and styles. They attach to the top of the truck bed, either mounting on the bed rails or across the width of the bed itself. Most are made from heavy gauge steel tubing or mesh.
How Do Headache Racks Attach to Truck Beds?
There are a few common ways that headache racks mount to pickup beds:
- Bed rail mount – The headache rack has vertical legs that bolt directly to the bed rails on either side. This leaves the floor of the truck bed open underneath.
- Over-the-bed mount – The headache rack has horizontal crossbars that sit over the width of the bed, bolting down directly to the truck bed floor.
- Above bed rails – Some headache racks install right above the bed rails by clamping onto the inner sides of the rails. These add height but don’t occupy interior bed space.
The specific mounting style of the rack is important to note when considering using it with a tonneau cover.
What is a Tonneau Cover?
A tonneau cover is a versatile pickup truck accessory that sits over the bed, providing protection and security. Tonneau covers come in two main types:
Hard Tonneau Covers
- Hard covers are made from aluminum, fiberglass, or vinyl. They turn the truck bed into a lockable cargo area.
- Hard tonneaus open in different styles – hinged, folding, roll-up, and more.
- They install by attaching to the top of the truck bed rails.
Soft Tonneau Covers
- Soft covers are made from leather, vinyl, or canvas. They roll or fold up for versatile cargo access.
- Soft covers secure with snaps, Velcro, or other fasteners and attach at the top of the bed rails like hard covers.
- Offer cargo protection at a lower cost than most hard covers.
Are Headache Racks and Tonneaus Compatible?
Whether a headache rack will be compatible with your tonneau cover depends on a few factors:
Headache Rack Mounting Style
If a headache rack mounts on top of the bed rails or over the entire bed, it will interfere with a tonneau cover that also needs to attach at the top of the rails.
However, some headache racks mount above the bed rails or clamp onto the inner sides. Both of these styles can potentially work with a tonneau, as they don’t occupy the same rail space.
Tonneau Cover Rigidity
Rigid, hinged hard tonneau covers are not compatible with headache racks in most cases. The tonneau hinders access to mount the rack properly. The rack also blocks the hard cover from opening.
However, flexible soft tonneau covers can often work with headache racks. The soft cover can flex and conform around rack support legs or other mounting points.
Design and Hardware Compatibility
Even if a headache rack mounts above the rails, the tonneau clamps, snaps, or other hardware may still interfere with each other. The specific products need to be designed to work together, with mounting points that don’t overlap.
There are some headache racks made to seamlessly integrate with certain tonneau brands and models. But mixes and matches may still run into hardware conflicts.
Tips for Mounting a Rack with a Tonneau
If your preferred headache rack and tonneau cover appear compatible, here are some tips for getting them mounted:
- Review all instructions and hardware needs for both products before starting. Have a plan for integrating mounting points.
- Get the help of a second set of hands if possible. Having someone hold items in place while the other attaches hardware can be a big help.
- Attach the tonneau cover first if necessary for access. Just don’t tighten hardware fully until rack is in place.
- Use shims or spacers to adjust angles or positions if mounting points cause interference.
- Go slowly and check alignment frequently. Don’t tighten any hardware completely until everything is aligned and in position.
- Be prepared to get creative if pre-drilled mounting points don’t quite match up between products. New holes may need to be drilled.
- Use threadlocker on bolts and hardware connections for maximum security.
- Avoid forcing pieces together too aggressively. Even if products are compatible, forcing them can damage expensive accessories.
Advantages of Using Both a Rack and Tonneau
If you can get your headache rack and tonneau mounted successfully, you’ll end up with a truck bed set up with excellent function and protection:
- The tonneau cover shields cargo from weather and prying eyes.
- The rack provides further theft deterrence and cab protection from shifting loads.
- Together they transform the bed into a secure, locked storage area.
- The tonneau can still be opened partially or removed entirely for full bed access when needed.
- Additional rack-mounted accessories like lights, flags, or supports can still be utilized.
So for truck owners prioritizing function and security, a compatible rack and tonneau combination can be ideal. Just be sure to research specific product pairings thoroughly before purchase.
Examples of Compatible Rack and Tonneau Models
While basic universal headache racks and soft tonneaus may work together with effort, there are also truck accessories designed from the start for seamless integration:
BAKFlip Hard or Soft Tonneaus + BAK Revolver X4 Rack
The Revolver rack clamps securely to the inner bed rails to avoid interfering with the BAK tonneau hardware. The BakFlip tonneaus can be opened or removed without issue.
Extang Solid Fold Tonneau + Extang Headache Rack
Both products are engineered to mount together cleanly. The Solid Fold mounts on the outside of the bed rails while the rack uses the inner rail space.
Truxedo Lo Pro Soft Tonneau + BedSlide Pickup Headache Rack
The Lo Pro uses a tension adjustment system that works with the BedSlide rack attached above the rails. The rack legs can slide to match truck bed anchor points.
Retrax PRO MX Soft Tonneau + RETRAX Headache Rack
Together, the MX tonneau and matching rack create a continuous wall of protection. The aluminum slats of the cover easily conform around the rack legs.
Conclusion
The versatility of trucks allows owners to customize them in many ways. Headache racks provide cargo protection while tonneau covers create secure lockable storage.
Determining exact product compatibility takes research – designs, mounting styles, and hardware specs all impact how easily the two accessories can be installed together.
But for the right truck setup, having both a tonneau cover and matching headache rack results in optimal function. Just take care to find rack and tonneau pairings engineered to complement each other during mounting. With good planning and a coordinated installation, you can successfully outfit your truck with both upgrades.
