People install racks on truck and car roofs, but when it comes to racks for utility, tires, moonlighters and single-sided racks (SSR), people usually mount them in specific areas — depending upon the vehicle and the purpose the rack will serve: “racks for light-duty crossovers (that go over the bed), HD trucks (that mount over the cab), van racks and SUV racks (that can be mounted on the roof),” offers Steve Shore, owner of Pennsauken, N.J.-based Amer-Rac. Many racks also provide or offer tie-downs, cargo strap systems, rub strips, and pads that lie between the rack and the vehicle to protect the body.

Alan Kuehl at Hauler Racks informs that his firm’s products are for multi-purpose uses and most of the manufacturer’s accessories are universal; they can be mounted onto a crossbar of any brand vehicle. “There are even removable racks where you can use them for different purposes, such as to hold ladders during the week and to haul bikes on the weekend,” Kuehl adds.

Perrycraft believes in offering a wide range of “utility racks, which are good for canoes and kayaks. This gives outdoor enthusiasts more options to use different styles and attachments,” according to Dan Epting.

At Yakima, “Our engineers make our racks to be multifunctional. All of our products are designed to go on and off really quickly. We also produce many accessories and gear to add onto racks to meet our consumers’ multipurpose needs and uses,” Mike Zoormajian relates.

Adds Shore: “In order to choose a truck rack to be mounted with a tonneau depends upon what type of tonneau is installed. We have top mounts, which are installed on top of the bed rail, and we also make a variety of feet (holds rack to the vehicle and can offer protection between rack and vehicle) depending on what type of tonneau is in place.” Load stops, and padded touch points also provide additional safety to equipment and vehicle.

Hauler Racks offers rack kits that work with tonneau covers, and they also carry more than five different models that will work with most covers available today. “The racks can be fitted on top of the tonneau cover or on top of the truck railing,” Kuehl says. Yakima and Inno Racks also offer multiple products and ways to mount their racks to tonneaus, bedliners, rails and canopies.