Headache Racks & Cab Protectors

A headache rack mounts at the front of the pickup box, right behind the cab. This page carries the racks themselves and the parts that build around them: install and hold-down kits, light brackets and mounts, louver kits and accessory brackets. BackRack and Westcan make up most of it, with RML, Putco and Bedrock adding the rest.

BackRack works as a system. You choose the rack frame for your truck, such as the Three Round Rack listed for the Ford F250 and Ford F350, then add parts to it: a centre-mount light bracket, whip brackets and similar hardware. Many listings here show no vehicle because they bolt to the rack rather than to the truck. Putco also sells a 16-inch BackRack bracket and headache rack light mount kits.

Westcan sells install kits and hold-down kits as separate part numbers, so check which kit the rack's product page calls for before you check out. RML racks come in zinc full-mesh and side-mesh versions. Bedrock louver kits are sold in single rear wheel and dual rear wheel versions, so confirm which your truck has.

To choose, start with what the rack will do. If it only has to guard the rear window from a shifting load, a plain panel is enough. If it will carry work lights, an antenna, a whip or a ladder rack, pick a frame that takes the brackets you need and order them together, so the mounting holes and widths line up on the first try.

Truck-specific racks are listed for the Ford F-150, Ford F250, Ford F350, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra and Ford Ranger. Each product page lists the years, makes and models it fits; use the vehicle selector to see only parts for your truck. A rack that runs over the whole bed is a different product: see bed racks, or the full truck bed department.