Best Ford F-150 Roof Racks

Updated on Mar 28, 2024

Has this ever happened to you? You’re loading up your F-150 for a camping trip, move, or venture to the lumber yard. With the entire bed and cab packed full of cargo, you find yourself without room for the last couple of pieces. This isn’t an unordinary experience for pickup owners, especially F-150 drivers with a small, 5.5 or 6-foot bed. 

Fortunately, you don’t have to settle for your pickup’s factory cargo restraints. Instead, consider bolstering your pickup’s cargo capacity with a heavy-duty roof rack from RealTruck! Unsure which product best suits your preferences and needs? Then you’re in the right place! In this piece, we cover the top roof racks for the Ford F-150, including some basic considerations when shopping and our expert’s top-reviewed products. 

If you’re looking to transform your F-150 into a cargo-hauling machine, keep reading!

Why Install a Roof Rack?

So, why opt for a roof rack over any other storage system, like a truck bed rack or bed extender? While both components have their place, they still confine cargo to your pickup’s bed. Why not make use of the ever-growing surface area on top of your F-150’s cab? 

In previous generations, manufacturers designed pickups with massive cargo areas and small, minimalist cabs. 

However, this focus has shifted in recent years as pickups gained popularity not only as utility vehicles but also as family haulers and daily drivers. As a result, cabs have gotten larger and roomier while the traditional 8-foot long bed has shrunk to an average of 6 feet or smaller. That’s a 25 percent decrease! 

So, why not take advantage of the dead space above your F-150’s cab? A space that, in some configurations, is even longer than the pickup’s bed? Roof racks do just that, creating a durable, reinforced cargo area to transport luggage, oversized materials, and more! Many roof racks also come with integrated light and accessory mounts, allowing you to affix off-road lights, recovery equipment, and more!   

So, the real question isn’t why should you install a roof rack on your F-150, but why wouldn’t you?

Top Roof Rack Systems: Expert’s Picks

At RealTruck, we offer a wide selection of roof racks from all the leading manufacturers, from aerodynamic clamp-on crossbar systems to robust bolt-on cargo baskets. Which is right for you? Let’s browse our expert’s top-recommended roof rack systems for Ford’s flagship full-size, offering the most balanced blend of aesthetics, functionality, and overall quality.

If you’re looking for a more rugged aesthetic than a typical cross bar system, consider the aggressive styling of the Go Rhino Ceros Low Profile Roof Rack! This off-road-inspired rack system features a lightweight aluminum roof basket, offering outstanding durability and corrosion resistance without adding unnecessary weight. 

All alloy components receive a stealthy textured matte black powder coat finish, resisting impacts, abrasions, oil, chemicals, and UV exposure. 

The Go Rhino Ceros features a striking low-profile design, perfectly following the contours of your F-150’s roof. Each Ceros rack comes pre-drilled for auxiliary light mounts, allowing you to install your choice of off-road lights without modifications! Additionally, the Ceros rack utilizes Go Rhino’s 4-CORE crossbars, allowing you to quickly and securely mount most Go Rhino accessories. 

The Go Rhino Ceros Low Profile Roof Rack features a simple clamp-on installation, requiring no drilling or lasting modifications to your F-150’s cab. Each order includes Go Rhino’s Rhino Clamp installation kit and instructions for hassle-free mounting. Go Rhino backs each Ceros Low Profile Roof Rack with a limited 5-year warranty. 

Features: 

  • Aluminum roof rack basket

  • Textured matte black powder coat finish

  • Utilizes Go Rhino's 4-CORE crossbars

  • Low-profile design offers a clean, finished look

  • Clamp-on assembly

  • Rhino clamps included

  • Simple, no-drill installation

  • Pre-drilled for auxiliary lights (sold separately)

  • 5-year limited warranty

It’s tough to beat a set of classic crossbars for a daily driver, and the Rhino Rack Vortex system offers an excellent blend of quality and cost-effectiveness! This system includes Rhino Rack’s aerodynamic Vortex crossbars, offering a large surface area yet a quiet, comfortable ride with their oval shape. 

All components are manufactured from lightweight aluminum, reducing unnecessary weight over the cab. 

The Rhino Rack Vortex Cross Bar system is ideal for light-duty applications, featuring a 165-pound weight capacity. While not the highest-capacity rack on the list, this product is perfect for hauling luggage, skis, snowboards, and other accessories! It’s also easy to install and remove if you plan to run the rack only when necessary. 

This product features a simple clamp-on installation requiring zero drilling or modifications. Rhino Rack backs each Vortex crossbar system with a limited lifetime warranty against defects. 

Features: 

  • Heavy-duty aluminum construction

  • Designed for gutterless vehicles

  • 165-lb. weight capacity

  • Vehicle-specific design for easy installation

  • Simple, no-drill installation with includes clamps

  • Ideal for transporting luggage, skis, snowboards, and more!

  • Limited lifetime warranty

The Go Rhino SRM600 Roof Rack system offers the styling of a classic, tubular roof basket with the convenience of Go Rhino's 4-CORE crossbars and no-drill Rhino Clamps! Unlike most roof baskets that require a base crossbar system, the Go Rhino SRM600 mounts directly to your F-150’s cab, requiring no cutting, drilling, or other modifications. 

The Go Rhino SRM600 features a robust yet lightweight aluminum construction, adding minimal weight to your F-150’s cab. All alloy components receive a durable textured black powder coat finish, resisting scrapes and chips while loading cargo, as well as oil, chemicals, and UV exposure. With a moderate 6-inch basket height, you can securely mount your cargo without the risk of excessive shifting! 

This product comes pre-drilled for auxiliary lights, allowing you to mount your choice of LED pods or light bars to bolster low-light visibility. 

Go Rhino backs the SRM600 Roof Rack with a limited lifetime structural and 5-year finish warranty. 

Features: 

  • Tubular aluminum roof rack basket

  • Textured matte black powder coat finish

  • Utilizes Go Rhino's 4-CORE crossbars

  • Universal fitment

  • Basket height 6"

  • Three sizes to choose from

  • Rhino Clamps included

  • Easy to install on cross bars, no drilling needed

  • Pre-drilled for auxiliary lights (sold separately)

  • Limited lifetime structural | 5-year finish warranty

Yakima is one of the most renowned names in the roof rack industry, and for good reason! The Yakima, Washington-founded company prides itself on offering some of the highest-quality roof rack systems for numerous applications, including your F-150! 

The Yakima RoundBar Roof Rack System is no exception, utilizing Yakima’s classic steel round bars for superior strength, easy accessory mounting, and an ultra-sleek profile. With robust steel crossbars, this system can easily withstand up to 165 pounds per bar! Yakima systems come in a striking black hue, including matte-black vinyl-wrapped round bars and black plastic-covered base mounts. Installation is quick and easy, requiring no drilling or other modifications. 

Yakima backs its RoundBar Roof Rack system with a limited lifetime warranty. 

Features: 

  • Includes two crossbars & four mounting towers (w/ clips & sl mounts if necessary)

  • Stealthy black color

  • 165-pound weight limit (per bar)

  • Easy installation and removal

  • No drilling required

  • Durable steel construction

  • Limited lifetime warranty

Are you looking for a stylish, rugged addition to your crossbar-style roof rack system? Then consider installing an N-Fab Universal Roof Rack, featuring a rugged all-steel design, basket-style design, and fully adjustable form factor! 

This roof rack is fully adjustable, stretching from 24 to 41 inches or anywhere in between! N-Fab includes clamps, brackets, and hardware for use with most crossbar styles, ensuring a simple, no-drill installation regardless of the brand of your crossbar system! Each N-Fab Universal Roof Rack includes pre-drilled light mounts and integrated tie-down anchors, allowing quick and easy accessory and gear mounting. 

N-Fab backs the Universal Roof Rack system with a limited lifetime structural and a 5-year finish warranty. 

Features: 

  • Durable steel construction

  • Textured black powder coat finish

  • Includes installation brackets and hardware

  • Adjustable from 24" to 41" length

  • Fits most cars, trucks, CUVs & SUVs

  • Integrated tie-down anchor points

  • Low-profile design is compatible with most OEM & aftermarket crossbars

  • Integrated Multi-Mount light system (lights sold separately)

  • Supports up to 180 lbs.

  • Limited lifetime structural / 5-year finish warranty

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