Bed racks have been around for a while. And they’re super popular for a reason. More function for your bed, without a super steep price point. One of the first mods you see on a lot of trucks. More recently, compatible topper racks have started to become more popular. They bolt and integrate direction into an existing rack system and give you a low-profile flat platform from front to back.
Cali Raised’s roof rack bed extension mounts to the top of their bed rack, creating an expansive platform when paired with their cab roof rack. Together, they create a level surface across your whole truck, allowing for more storage as well as accommodating longer rooftop tents (RTT). In addition to expanding your roof rack’s utility, you also gain more mounting space for awnings and other accessories.
I’ve been running this whole setup for almost 6 months now. In this article, I will cover things like the installation, its versatility, value, and design.
Find Them Online
- Bed Rack Roof (Topper) Rack: Check Price
- Bed Rack: Check Price
- Premium Roof Rack: Check Price
Table Of Contents
Product Overview
Let’s take a look at the details…
Key Features & Specs
- 3/16″ aluminum side panels
- 10 gauge steel mounts
- Aluminum extrusion crossbars
- Durable powder coat
- Aligns perfectly with Cali Raised roof rack
- Modular design
- Predrilled holes and spots for auxiliary lighting
- Made in America
- Reasonable lead times
- 2-year warranty
- Lightweight but strong
- Short and long bed options
This bed roof rack extension is compatible with 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gen Tacoma bed racks from Cali Raised.
Why This Matters For Tacoma Owners
This extension rack enables me to run the type of RTT that I prefer, without worrying about compatibility. I can also easily remove the RTT to transport large items on my bed rack, such as kayaks. You can use it for work, carrying ladders, lumber, or any other items you need.
Before adding this extension, I could not put anything longer than 5 feet on top of the rack, and it has helped me with camping, working, and the overall usage of the bed now. Ultimately, by freeing up bed space and adding the additional platform, you get more use out of your truck during daily driving and off-road.
Installation Experience
Install Time: 2-3 Hours
The install was super easy! It just takes time to organize all the parts and assemble everything. It is super straightforward, just repetitive. You do not need to make any modifications to install, as it is a 100% bolt-on system.
The fitment is excellent on my 2025 Tacoma short bed. I recommend not fully tightening everything down until it is on the truck, just in case it is crooked, and if the feet mount isn’t in the exact correct spot.
Cali has a dialed install video to follow along as well.
Design & Build Quality
The design of the rack is super slick, modern, and blends in perfectly with the cab roof rack. I love how it all flows together seamlessly and doesn’t look like it’s a whole different rack – unlike some other brands I have experienced, where the system is not nearly as clean.
With the roof rack being sleek and not bulky, it helps improve the aerodynamics of the system. The rack extension is also extremely light, so you don’t need to worry about it adding a ton of weight to your build.
Overall, it all feels premium and like it was carefully designed for maximum functionality.
Real World Performance
The whole setup is pretty quiet. Naturally, my RTT makes a little noise, but the roof and topper rack are both very quiet. I attribute this to a low profile and well thought out design. Even fully loaded down, everything has felt solid and stable.
So far, the powder coat has held up well, with no UV fading or premature corrosion. Having the full bed system makes it easy to switch between my commute and weekend camping trips.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- modular design
- seamless surface transitioning to roof rack
- way more options for storage and mounting gear, etc.
- relatively lightweight
- added versatility
Cons
- additional cost beyond bed rack
- added weight if you’re trying to be super conscious
Who It’s For
If you’re new to overlanding or the Tacoma platform, you might be wondering if this setup is right for you. From a price perspective, you get a lot of function, especially if we’re talking about the full system you see on my truck. You can also build in stages, as you find the need more storage, etc. For new owners, I could see this working for everyone from the casual camper, to someone who needs a dialed platform for work.
Of course, people who are building an off-road and overlanding rig will see the most use. The even connection between the bed and cabin give you a huge amount of space to work with. Even with a big RTT like mine, you still retain 75% of the roof rack area. And that doesn’t account for the supporting bed rack, which can accommodate a large range of accessory mounts and custom solutions. All while remaining lightweight. And it helps that it just looks amazing!
Final Thoughts
The Cali Raised roof rack extension is a great addition to my build and perfect for what I use the truck for. I believe it is extremely valuable if you use your truck for off-roading and going camping! I would not hesitate to recommend it to any of my friends. It makes the truck extremely functional and is one of the best additions I have made. I used to have a camper shell on my old Tacoma, and I think the functionality and ease of gear access makes this my favorite setup yet.
