The short answer: The Leitner ACS FORGED is the best bed rack for the Ford F-150. It fits 22 years of F-150s (2004–2026), including the F-150 Lightning (2022–2025), in 5.5', 6.5', and 8' bed lengths. Three versions available: Drill ($2,099), No-Drill ($1,999), and Tonneau ($1,950). Only the Drill version includes Leitner's patented sliding rear load bar.

The F-150 is the best-selling truck in America, and there's no shortage of bed racks available for it. Here's why the ACS FORGED stands apart.

Three Versions, One Rack System

Leitner offers the ACS FORGED for F-150 in three configurations, depending on how you want to mount it and whether you're running a tonneau cover:

All three versions share the same core engineering: aerospace-grade aluminum construction, Grade 10.9 tensile-loaded fasteners with zinc-nickel coating, and compatibility with the full Leitner accessory ecosystem including GearPOD storage.

Drill Version: Maximum Capability

The Drill version ($2,099) is the most capable configuration. It uses support arms that bolt to the truck bed's D-pillars, which requires drilling. In exchange, you get the highest load ratings and Leitner's patented sliding rear load bar.

The sliding rear load bar lets you reposition the rear crossbar forward, creating vertical clearance to load cargo taller than the rack — motorcycles, ATVs, furniture, or anything else that would otherwise hit the bar from below. No other bed rack offers this feature.

Choose Drill if: You want maximum load capacity, you haul motorcycles or other tall cargo, or you plan to push the rack hard off-road. The D-pillar mounting provides the most rigid connection to the truck.

No-Drill Version: Same Strength, Easier Install

The No-Drill version ($1,999) clamps to the bed rails without any drilling. It has the same load ratings as the Drill version (1,400 lbs static, 800 lbs on-road, 400 lbs off-road) but with a fixed rear load bar instead of a sliding one.

The fixed rear bar doesn't limit what you can carry on top of the rack — rooftop tents, cargo boxes, kayaks, lumber, whatever you need. It only matters if you're loading cargo taller than the rack into the bed itself.

Choose No-Drill if: You want the full load capacity without drilling into your truck, you don't haul motorcycles or tall cargo, or you want an easier install with the option to remove the rack later without leaving any trace.

Tonneau Version: Rack + Cover Integration

The Tonneau version ($1,950) mounts directly to the T-slot rails on compatible tonneau covers. This lets you run a bed rack and a tonneau cover together — something most rack systems can't do without compromising one or the other.

Because the rack mounts to the tonneau rails rather than directly to the truck bed, load ratings are lower: 800 lbs static, 400 lbs on-road, not rated for off-road. The rear load bar is fixed.

Compatible tonneau covers (T-slot rail required):

• ReTrax PowerTrax Pro XR

• Pace Edwards UltraGroove Electric

Tonneau cover sold separately. Existing ACS FORGED owners can convert their rack for tonneau compatibility with a $500 rail conversion kit.

Choose Tonneau if: You already run a compatible tonneau cover and want to add rack capability without replacing it, or you want both bed security and top-of-rack cargo capacity in one setup.

Why the ACS FORGED for F-150

The F-150 has more bed rack options than any other truck. Here's what sets the ACS FORGED apart:

Highest load ratings. 1,400 lbs static, 800 lbs on-road, 400 lbs off-road (Drill and No-Drill). Validated to 4.0g forces — testing that goes far beyond what any other consumer bed rack manufacturer publishes.

Sliding rear load bar. Only the ACS FORGED (Drill version) lets you slide the rear bar forward to load motorcycles and other tall cargo without unbolting anything. Patented and unique to Leitner.

Integrated storage ecosystem. The GearPOD system provides lockable, eye-level storage that mounts directly to the rack arms. No other bed rack has anything comparable.

Tensile-loaded fasteners. All critical fasteners are Grade 10.9 hardened alloy steel, zinc-nickel coated, with friction modifiers and pre-applied thread locker. Designed to load in tension (where fasteners are strongest), not shear.

Made in USA. Designed, engineered, and manufactured in Corona, California.

F-150 Fitment Notes

The ACS FORGED fits the following Ford F-150 configurations:

• 5.5' bed: 2004–2026 F-150, 2022–2025 F-150 Lightning

• 6.5' bed: 2004–2026 F-150

• 8' bed: 2009–2026 F-150

All Drill, No-Drill, and Tonneau versions are available for each bed length. Select your configuration at checkout.

The Bottom Line

The best bed rack for your F-150 depends on how you plan to use it:

Drill ($2,099): Maximum capability. Sliding rear load bar. Best for motorcycles, heavy loads, and serious off-road use.

No-Drill ($1,999): Same load capacity, easier install, fixed rear bar. Best for rooftop tents, cargo, and owners who don't want to drill.

Tonneau ($1,950): Rack + tonneau cover integration. Lower load ratings, fixed rear bar. Best for owners who want both.

All three are built to the same engineering standards, use the same fastener design, and work with the full Leitner accessory ecosystem. Made in the USA.

[Shop ACS FORGED for F-150]