Choosing the best magnum back rack with tonneau cover combination can feel like a puzzle, yet it's one of the best ways to get the particular most from your truck bed without compromising security or power. Most truck owners eventually hit the crossroad where they will have to determine between having a heavy-duty headache rack for hauling or a tonneau cover to keep their particular gear dry. The good thing is that you don't have to choose one or another. You can have got both, though this takes a little bit of planning and the correct hardware to make sure everything rests flush and functions like it's meant to.
Why This Combo is Such a Game Changer
If you use your own truck for function, or even only for serious DIY tasks on the week-ends, you understand the struggle of wanting to protect your equipment while still requiring to haul lengthy items. A Magnum rack is constructed for the tough stuff—hauling ladders, lumber, or even kayaks—while providing the massive amount of protection for your rear window. Yet if you've got a bed complete of expensive energy tools or camping out gear, leaving all of them exposed to the rain or sticky fingers isn't precisely a choice.
Whenever you successfully set up a magnum back rack with tonneau cover , you're basically creating a multi-tool out of your truck mattress. You get the overhead storage capacity of the rack and the weather-sealed, locked-down security of the cover. Much more the truck look the lot more aggressive, too. There's simply something about that will aluminum rack paired with a smooth, low-profile cover that will makes a vehicle appear like it's prepared for anything.
The Compatibility Struggle (And The way to Get It)
The particular biggest hurdle people run into is usually the mounting space. Most tonneau covers want to sit down right on best of the bed rails, which is precisely where the Magnum rack needs to be bolted down. In case you just try to punch both on right now there without a plan, they're likely to fight intended for the same property.
Magnum knows this, which is why they designed specific tonneau adapter kits. These are essentially spacers or specific brackets that lift the rack simply enough—or shift its position—so the cover's rails can slip underneath or sit alongside it. Just before you buy anything at all, you've got in order to check whether your own cover is a good "inside the rail" mount or perhaps a "top of the rail" mount. Inside-the-rail addresses are usually the easiest to set with a rack because they keep most of the bed rail surface free for the Magnum's feet.
Picking the Right Cover for Your Rack
Not all covers are made equivalent when you're trying to fit them around a headaches rack. If you're looking for the easiest experience, a low-profile roll-up cover is usually the method to go. These types of covers have the small footprint plus don't occupy much space in front of the bed when they're rolled up.
Surrendering covers can end up being a little more difficult. A hard tri-fold cover is great for security, however you have to make sure that when it's fully collapsed up, it doesn't slam into the particular uprights of your own Magnum rack. Several guys discover that they will can't open the particular last panel of the tri-fold because the rack is in the way. In case you go this route, just measure twice. You might require to settle to get a cover that just folds two-thirds of the way, or consider a retractable cover. Retractable covers are awesome because these people disappear into a canister in front, yet you have to make sure that canister doesn't interfere with the rack's mounting brackets.
Why Magnum Specifically?
Generally there are a great deal of racks out there, but Magnum stands out due to the fact they use all-aluminum construction. This can be a large deal for the couple of reasons. First, it's lighting. You don't wish to add 200 pounds of steel for your truck before you've even loaded your own gear. Second, it won't rust. Since you're likely going to be using this in the rain or even snow (which is why you want the particular tonneau cover within the first place), having a rack that won't begin bleeding rust lines down your color job in 2 yrs is a huge plus.
The powder-coated finish on these racks is also pretty tough. This matches the matte or textured dark finish on most tonneau covers perfectly. It gives the whole setup an single, factory-installed look instead than resembling a bunch of arbitrary parts you bolted on in the particular driveway.
Set up Tips You'll Actually Use
Whenever you get your magnum back rack with tonneau cover kit delivered, don't just get a wrench and visit town. Place everything out first. The most common mistake is definitely tightening the rack down completely before checking the clearance of the tonneau cover rails.
- Test Fit Everything: Place the rack on the bed rails then mock upward the tonneau cover rails. See exactly where they overlap.
- Utilize the Adaptor Brackets: If you purchased the Magnum tonneau adapter kit (which you probably should), follow those guidelines specifically. They often include foam stripping or gaskets to keep the mattress watertight.
- Check the Seal: Once the cover is on, make sure the front flap or even seal is actually touching the bulkhead of the vehicle. Sometimes the rack brackets can lift the cover sufficient to create a small gap exactly where water can go in. Some extra weather stripping from your hardware store can help you save a lot of headache here.
- Don't Over-Tighten: Aluminum is strong, yet you don't need to ugga-dugga the mounting bolts until they strip. Use a rpm wrench if you have one, or just get them tight and check them again after a week of traveling.
Long-Term Servicing and Durability
Once you've obtained the setup dialed in, it's fairly low maintenance. Nevertheless, you should occasionally check the mounting bolts for that rack. Vibration from your road may loosen things upward over time, especially if you're driving upon washboard dirt roads or hitting plenty of potholes.
The tonneau cover will also require some love. In the event that it's a vinyl roll-up, hit this with some UV protectant every few months so it doesn't crack. If it's a hard shell, just keep the particular tracks clean. The Magnum rack by itself just needs a wash whenever you wash the truck. Since it's aluminum, you don't have to touching up paint chips to prevent rot, which is a massive relief in comparison to the old-school steel racks.
Is It Worth the Investment?
Let's be real: a high-quality rack and a solid tonneau cover aren't specifically cheap. You're searching at a good chunk of modification for both. Yet if you think about this in terms involving "truck capability per dollar, " it's hard to beat. You're essentially turning your bed into the secure locker plus your roofline right into a cargo carrier.
It furthermore helps with the particular resale value. People love seeing a truck that's already been set up properly. It shows you cared about the vehicle which it's ready to work for the next person. Plus, it just makes daily life easier. Forget about tossing your wet raincoat over your expensive tools because you didn't have a cover, and no even more seeking to hang a 12-foot 2x4 out there the back of a 5. 5-foot bed.
Conclusions
Setting upward a magnum back rack with tonneau cover will be one of those projects that seems deeply satisfying as soon as it's done. It's the ultimate "have your cake and consume it too" situation for truck owners. You obtain the durable, heavy-duty utility of a headache rack alongside the dried out, secure storage of a bed cover. Just make certain you get the correct adapter brackets, choose a cover that matches your lifestyle, and take your time with the install. Your truck can thank you for it, and you'll definitely notice the difference next time you're launching on with a lengthy trip or a huge job.