7 Best Kayak Racks for Ford Ranger

In this article, we will review the best kayak racks for Ford Ranger. If you want to know more about bed racks or hitch racks, cheap or expensive, aluminum models or steel models that fit Ford Ranger, we’ve got you covered.

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Our Top Pick

AA-Racks Model APX25 Aluminum Truck Bed Rack

  • Lightweight and Rust-free
  • Easy Installation
  • No drilling required
  • Removable for off-season
  • A bit pricey
  • Doesn’t work with utility track system

Our Verdict

AA-APX25 is best for those who only want the best for their truck and their kayak. It has some great attributes but if you’re not someone who will make use of its lighter weight, it’s probably not worth the cost.

Best Bed Racks for Ford Ranger

1. AA-Racks Model APX25 Aluminum Truck Bed Rack

AA Racks APX25 is a top-class aluminum rack. It is very lightweight compared to others. Most aluminum or steel models on the market weigh around 50 to 60 lbs, but this beauty weighs less than 43 lbs. And it has a carrying capacity of 800 lbs. The whole rack is also powder-coated, so you don’t have to worry about corrosion and rust.

With this rack, you have the choice of a permanent install or a temporary one. If you want permanent you can drill the rack on your truck bed. But if you want to only install it when the need arises, you can clamp it with eight heavy-duty universal mounting clamps that come in the package. It is very easy to install as well.

The downside of this rack is it’s quite expensive but the quality is worth the price and that’s why it is our first choice.

WARNING: It doesn’t work with a utility track system.

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  • Lightweight and Rust-free
  • Easy Installation
  • No drilling required
  • Removable for off-season
  • A bit pricey
  • Doesn’t work with utility track system

2. AA-Racks Truck Bed Rack With J-Racks

The AA-X35 is the most convenient choice for paddlers because it comes with four j-racks pre-installed. The j-racks are great for their ability to securely holding kayaks on your racks.

The AA-X35 is an alloy steel-made product that can be compared to other aluminum racks in terms of price because of the j-racks. It weighs 73 lbs and can carry up to 2200 lbs of weight. It also comes with extra utilities like four ratchet straps and four bows/stern tie-downs to keep everything in its proper position.

The installation process for this rack is also pretty simple. You can use c-clamps if you don’t want to drill your truck bed. Considering its features and utilities, we are putting this on our list.

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  • Comes with four j-racks pre-installed
  • Can carry up to 2200 lbs
  • Comes with eight C-clamps and extra utilities
  • Removable for off-season
  • Price comparable to Aluminum racks
  • Doesn’t work with utility track system

If you are looking for a rack and are limited with a budget then TMS got you covered. This TMS Adjustable Kayak Truck Rack is made from alloy steel, it is well constructed and very sturdy. It can handle your kayak with ease. It weighs 50 lbs, which is very little compared to other steel models. It also has a carrying capacity of 800 lbs.

It is easy to install and you can always clamp the rack if you don’t want a permanent install. With a simple bolt, you can also adjust the rack to fit any bed width between five and seven feet.

This model is the best for this price range but there are better models out there with a little bit higher price. You get what you pay for.

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Check out the reviews of this product on Amazon

  • Inexpensive
  • Adjustable width
  • No drilling required
  • Solidly built with a good carrying capacity
  • Not lightweight and rust-free
  • Cumbersome

4.MaxxHaul 70423 Universal Aluminum Truck Rack

MaxxHaul 70423 is like a slightly inferior version of AA-APX25 at a lower price. It is made from rust-free and lightweight aluminum. It weighs 55 lbs, which is high compared to other models. The powder-coated finish of this rack will give you long-lasting comfort of mind.

You can quickly and easily install this rack on your ram 1500 in just 10 minutes. You can also use clamps for more portability. The verticals of this rack are equipped with bumpers that keep your loads still.

The major setback of this rack is its less carrying capacity which is 400 lbs. But that isn’t a serious issue when most kayaks or canoes weigh less than 200 lbs. So, you can carry up to 2 kayaks using this rack.

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  • Lightweight Aluminum and Rust-free
  • Quick and Easy Installation
  • No drilling required
  • Budget-friendly for an Aluminum rack
  • 400 lbs carrying capacity

Best Hitch Racks or Extenders for Ford Ranger

If you want a truck bed extender or truck hitch rack the MaxxHaul 70231 should be your automatic choice. It can extend from 24 to 49 inches, which is long enough for any kayak. It also has a 300 lbs capacity, which is excellent for an extender.

You can assemble and dismantle this rack very quickly with four quick-release pins. And you can also fold it down to create a workspace. Truck bed extenders always weigh very little. This rack isn’t an exception either. It weighs just 32 lbs.

Hitch racks tend to be less expensive and the MaxxHaul 70231 provides great value in this price.

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  • Very long extender with great a carrying capacity
  • Can be assembled and dismantled very quickly
  • Can be folded down
  • Budget-friendly
  • Fully adjustable

This ECOTRIC truck bed extender has all the features that a truck bed extender should have, except that it can’t be folded down. It has adjustable width between 28 to 48 inches and an adjustable height between 12 to 19 inches. It has one feature that MaxxHaul 70231 doesn’t, that is the 2x carrying capacity of MaxxHaul. It can carry up to 750 lbs, which is special for a hitch extender.

You won’t have a problem with installation either because of its 4 quick-release clevis pins. And it weighs only 27.5 lbs. This hitch extender also comes with reflective tape and a flag. The features of this rack with its fair price make it a valuable choice.

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  • Very lightweight with 750 lbs capacity
  • Can be assembled and dismantled very quickly
  • Budget-friendly
  • Adjustable width
  • Can’t be folded down

The Darby Industries 944 is average compared to other truck bed extenders. But where this rack excels is at its user-friendliness. It has a carrying capacity of 350 lbs and it can extend 53 inches from the hitch.

The prominent and most useful feature of this rack is that you can also use it for rooftop hauling if you have a crossbar setup for the rooftop. And you can also use it if you have a tonneau cover because it doesn’t interfere with the bed when in the rooftop arrangement and the cover can be rolled back if you are carrying your boat in the bed.

You can also break it down into pieces and store it behind your seat since it only is made of three pieces: a crossbar, a bar extending back horizontally from the hitch, and a vertical bar. The only downside of this rack is it is not fully adjustable.

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Check out the reviews of this product on Amazon

  • Lightweight with a great carrying capacity
  • Can be used for rooftop hauling
  • Best option for a tonneau cover
  • Can be broken down into pieces
  • Not fully adjustable

Visit our kayak rack section for more car-specific rack guides.