The funny thing about cargo is that it doesn’t organize itself into cute little Tetris pieces for you, now does it? When real clashes with ideal, an overhead rack just may be the answer for you. By creating a second level above your bed, these racks let you get the best of both worlds. Keep your bed access and get all that extra storage at the same time.
One thing to watch out for: make sure your overbed rack design doesn't block the bed access you actually use. Some racks run full-length and make it tough to load larger items into the bed from the sides. Others are designed with cutouts or shorter lengths that maintain side access while still providing tons of cargo space. Think about how you typically load your bed before committing to a specific rack configuration. There's no point in adding capacity if it makes your workflow more annoying.
Working with a hard top? If so, you have added an entirely new foundation for more UTV storage capacity. Side-by-side roof racks are a great way to take along items that you need without clogging up the bed or cab space. Whether that’s PVC, lumber, a spare tire or what have you, a roof rack will make your life so much easier (if you get a good one, of course).
Speaking of how to tell the quality from the not-so-great when it comes to aftermarket UTV roof racks, the mounting setup is definitely your top indicator. If it doesn’t clamp or bolt securely to your roof structure without requiring a bunch of drilling or modifications, then trust us, you’ve got too many options to dwell on it. Other telltale signs of a high-quality UTV roof rack include rubber or foam padding at contact points and crossbars that can be adjusted.
Front racks mount to your front bumper or the front end of your frame and will provide a solid platform for equipment that you want to be able to grab quickly. For example, you can throw your winch controller, recovery straps, first aid kits or tools in there and trust that the rack will keep your gear safe
Rear cargo racks, as the name implies, mount behind your bed or on the tailgate area, which allows you to up your storage without compromising your bed capacity. Hunters love to throw game bags or other related equipment in these things. Front or rear, the main thing you want to pay attention to with these racks is the approach and departure angles. You want to make sure you’re not significantly cutting into your clearance or creating a snag point that will catch on obstacles. That’s not something you have to worry about with our UTV front and rear cargo racks, as they keep a low profile to make your life easy!
What’s the most weight I can put on an aftermarket UTV cargo rack?
This is a clear case of “listen to your manufacturer”! It can vary a good deal. Some racks will be limited to a fifty-pound capacity, while others can handle two hundred pounds or more.
What about performance and handling?
If you’re not racing, it’s probably too negligible a difference to matter. That said, you can cut down on any minor performance changes by keeping the weight evenly distributed when loading up your rack(s).
What if I’m already running with a cab enclosure?
You might be surprised by how many cab enclosures play nicely with overbed racks and roof racks. You still want to check specs on both products and confirm mounting points, but don’t count yourself out if you want both an enclosure and a UTV cargo rack.