Best Truck Bed Racks for Soft Truck Canopies: Softopper, Bestop & FLATED Compatibility
Soft truck toppers have become increasingly popular among pickup truck owners who want the protection of a truck cap without the weight and permanence of a traditional fiberglass shell. Products such as Softopper, Bestop canvas toppers, and the FLATED AIR-TOPPER offer lightweight, versatile solutions for protecting cargo while maintaining the flexibility of an open truck bed.
But what if you also want to carry kayaks, rooftop tents, camping equipment, ladders, or other oversized cargo?
Fortunately, you don't have to choose between a soft truck topper and a functional bed rack.
American manufacturer KB Voodoo Fabrications offers several truck bed rack systems designed to accommodate soft toppers while providing additional cargo-carrying capability.
Can You Install a Truck Bed Rack with a Softopper?
Yes. However, not every truck bed rack is designed to work with a soft topper.
Conventional bed racks interfere with canopy mounting hardware or occupy the same space required by the topper.
As interest in Softopper EXO-style rack systems continues to grow, truck owners are discovering the benefits of combining a soft canopy with an independently mounted cargo rack.
KB Voodoo Fabrications offers several purpose-built solutions, including the CXR Fortress, CXR Utility Max, and VXR Utility Rack.
These American-made systems provide different configurations for camping, overlanding, recreational equipment, and everyday utility applications.
Explore KB Voodoo's Softopper-compatible truck bed racks.
CXR Fortress: Softopper-Compatible Bed Racks for Camping and Overlanding
The KB Voodoo CXR Fortress is designed for truck owners who want to combine the versatility of a soft topper with the cargo-carrying capabilities of an overland bed rack.
Available in four-leg and six-leg configurations, the Fortress provides an elevated cargo platform above compatible Softopper and Bestop canopies.
The rack's modular construction allows owners to mount rooftop tents, kayaks, bicycles, recovery equipment, and other outdoor accessories without relying on the soft topper itself to support the load.
Key features include:
American-made construction
Four-leg and six-leg configurations
No-drill installation
Compatibility with supported Softopper and Bestop canopies
Multiple accessory mounting options
Configurations for a wide range of pickup trucks
For camping enthusiasts, the Fortress provides a practical combination of covered truck bed storage and elevated cargo capacity.
CXR Utility Max: Soft Topper Bed Racks with Over-Cab Extension
For truck owners who frequently transport long or oversized equipment, the KB Voodoo CXR Utility Max offers another versatile solution.
The Utility Max incorporates an extended over-cab cargo platform, providing additional support for equipment that extends beyond the truck bed.
This configuration is especially useful for transporting kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, ladders, lumber, and other long cargo.
Like the Fortress, the Utility Max is available in configurations designed to accommodate compatible soft truck toppers.
Its elevated design allows owners to retain their canvas canopy while expanding the truck's overall carrying capability.
Whether you're heading to the lake with kayaks or transporting equipment to a job site, the Utility Max combines covered bed storage with practical overhead cargo support.
VXR Utility Rack: Softopper and FLATED AIR-TOPPER Compatibility
The KB Voodoo VXR Utility Rack offers another approach to combining soft truck toppers with additional cargo-carrying capability.
Designed for versatility, the VXR is available in multiple height configurations and can accommodate compatible Softopper canopies and FLATED AIR-TOPPER systems.
The VXR features a modular design, American-made construction, and no-drill installation.
Its versatile mounting system provides options for carrying kayaks, camping equipment, recovery gear, and other recreational or utility accessories.
The VXR is particularly appealing to truck owners looking for a rack that balances everyday practicality with outdoor adventure capability.
Because soft toppers vary in height and dimensions, selecting the appropriate VXR configuration is important for ensuring proper clearance and compatibility.
Truck Bed Racks for the FLATED AIR-TOPPER
The FLATED AIR-TOPPER provides a unique alternative to traditional truck caps and canvas toppers.
Its inflatable construction allows owners to install or remove the topper when needed, making it especially appealing to truck owners who value flexibility.
For those who want to carry equipment above their inflatable topper, compatible bed rack systems provide additional versatility.
KB Voodoo offers CXR and VXR rack configurations designed to accommodate FLATED AIR-TOPPER installations.
Because the topper and rack must share the available space around the truck bed, confirming the correct fitment is essential.
Learn more about KB Voodoo bed racks for FLATED toppers.
Why No-Drill Installation Matters
One of the most important considerations when choosing a truck bed rack is how it attaches to the vehicle.
Drilling into a truck bed can create permanent modifications that many owners would prefer to avoid.
KB Voodoo Fabrications designs its compatible bed rack systems for no-drill installation, using mounting configurations engineered for specific truck applications.
This approach helps preserve the truck's original structure while providing secure mounting for cargo-carrying equipment.
For owners of newer trucks, leased vehicles, or vehicles they may eventually sell, no-drill installation is an especially attractive feature.
Choosing the Right Bed Rack for Your Soft Topper
The best rack depends on your truck, topper, and intended use.
CXR Fortress: An excellent choice for camping, overlanding, rooftop tents, and recreational cargo.
CXR Utility Max: Designed for owners who need extended over-cab support for kayaks, ladders, and other long equipment.
VXR Utility Rack: A versatile option for compatible Softopper and FLATED AIR-TOPPER installations, with multiple height configurations and accessory mounting possibilities.
Before purchasing, confirm your truck model, model year, bed length, topper style, and rack height requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you install a bed rack over a Softopper?
Yes. KB Voodoo manufactures truck bed racks designed to accommodate compatible Softopper canopies while providing independent support for cargo above the topper.
Can you mount a rooftop tent above a Softopper?
Yes, when using a properly rated bed rack designed for the application. The rooftop tent mounts to the rack rather than relying on the soft canopy for structural support. Always verify the rack's published load ratings.
Are there truck bed racks compatible with the FLATED AIR-TOPPER?
Yes. KB Voodoo offers compatible CXR and VXR configurations designed to accommodate FLATED AIR-TOPPER systems.
Do Softopper-compatible bed racks require drilling?
KB Voodoo's compatible CXR and VXR systems feature no-drill installation using mounting hardware designed for the vehicle application.
Can you still use your soft topper with a bed rack installed?
Compatible rack systems are designed to allow the topper to remain installed. However, access, folding operation, and available clearance depend on the specific topper and rack configuration.
Expand Your Truck's Capabilities Without Giving Up Your Soft Topper
A soft truck topper doesn't have to limit what your pickup can carry.
With the right bed rack, you can maintain protected cargo storage while adding space for kayaks, camping equipment, rooftop tents, and other oversized gear.
From the overland-focused CXR Fortress to the extended CXR Utility Max and versatile VXR Utility Rack, KB Voodoo Fabrications offers American-made solutions for a variety of soft topper applications.
Explore Softopper-Compatible Truck Bed Racks at KB Voodoo Fabrications