Quick Facts:
- Yakima bed rack matchup: OverHaul HD System vs BedRock HD System.
- Height: Adjustable from 19 to 30 inches (OverHaul HD) vs a fixed low profile (BedRock HD).
- On-road rating: 500 lb vs 300 lb.
- Off-road rating: 300 lb vs 180 lb.
- On a tonneau cover: The OverHaul HD with Tonneau Kit 1 drops to 300 lb on-road and 180 lb off-road.
- Price: $1,519 vs $618 for towers plus HD Bars (price checked November 1, 2026).
- Best for: Rooftop tents and long loads vs bikes, boats and light gear.
 8 min read
In This Guide
- Yakima Bed Rack Overview: Tall and Strong or Low and Light
- Yakima Bed Rack Specs Side by Side
- Yakima OverHaul HD: Tall Enough for Tents and Long Loads
- Yakima BedRock HD: A Low Rack for Bikes, Boats and Light Tents
- Load Ratings, Tonneau Covers and Rooftop Tents
- OverHaul HD vs. BedRock HD: Which Rack Fits Your Truck
- Final Thoughts
- FAQ
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Quick Picks
- Best for tents and heavy loads: OverHaul HD System for $1,519 with towers and HD Bars, in stock (price checked November 1, 2026). It adjusts from 19 to 30 inches and carries 300 lb off-road. Check Price at Yakima.
- Best low-profile pick: BedRock HD System for $618 with towers and HD Bars, in stock (price checked November 1, 2026). It keeps bikes and boats low, and Yakima lists a 30-minute install. Check Price at Yakima.
Yakima Bed Rack Overview: Tall and Strong or Low and Light
A Yakima bed rack puts crossbars over your truck bed, so the bed stays open for a cooler, drawers or a dog crate. Yakima’s two HD racks split the job in half. The OverHaul HD System adjusts from 19 to 30 inches and carries 500 lb on-road. In contrast, the BedRock HD System sits low on the rails and carries 300 lb on-road.
Price splits them too. The OverHaul HD costs $1,519 with towers and HD Bars, while the BedRock HD costs $618 with the same parts. On the OverHaul HD, a tracked bed or a tonneau cover adds a $140 kit.
So the choice comes down to what rides up top. A rooftop tent, lumber over the cab or a heavy load points to the OverHaul HD. Meanwhile, bikes, kayaks and a cargo basket at low height point to the BedRock HD. For more on load ratings and rack height, see our guide on what to look for in a bed rack.
I drive a 2025 Chevy Colorado ZR2, but I have not run either rack on it. Instead, this comparison draws on Yakima’s specs and on what owners report. The owner reports come from Reddit, Tacoma World, the Jeep Gladiator forums and retailer reviews.
Secure Whatever Rides on Top
Either rack holds its rated load only when the tie-downs hold. Ratchet straps, cam straps and a cargo net keep gear from shifting on washboard roads.
Straps and nets for a loaded bed rack
STANLEY S1007 Black/Yellow 1.5" x 16' Ratchet Tie Down Straps
Yakima Bed Rack Specs Side by Side
The table compares the specs buyers weigh most. Each figure comes from Yakima’s product pages, checked November 1, 2026, unless the row names another source.
| Specification | OverHaul HD System | BedRock HD System |
|---|---|---|
| Price (checked Nov 1, 2026) | $1,519 at Yakima ($1,200 towers plus $319 HD Bars), in stock | $618 at Yakima ($299 towers plus $319 HD Bars), in stock |
| Rack height | Adjustable, 19 to 30 in | Fixed low profile |
| On-road rating | 500 lb | 300 lb |
| Off-road rating | 300 lb | 180 lb |
| Rating on a tonneau | 300 lb on-road, 180 lb off-road with Tonneau Kit 1 | No tonneau rating listed |
| HD Bar lengths | 60, 68 or 78 in | 60, 68 or 78 in |
| Attachment | BedGrip clamps, QuickChange removal | Tool-free clamps |
| Extra kits | Bed Track Kit 1 or 2, Tonneau Kit 1 ($140 each) | Track adapters sold as spare parts |
| Install time | Under 1 hour to 3 hours (owner reports) | About 30 minutes (Yakima) |
| Locks | SKS locks | SKS locks |
| Accessory mounting | T-slot, SideBar compatible | T-slot |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime | Limited lifetime |
| Where to buy | Check Price at Yakima | Check Price at Yakima |
Two rows deserve a second look. The tonneau row matters because a cover cuts the OverHaul HD down to the BedRock HD’s numbers. Bar length matters too, and your bed width decides it. Run Yakima’s Fit My Vehicle tool before you order.
Yakima OverHaul HD: Tall Enough for Tents and Long Loads
The OverHaul HD is the stronger rack of the pair. You set the crossbars anywhere from 19 to 30 inches above the rails. Raise them to run lumber or a canoe over the cab, or drop them low to cut wind. Yakima’s QuickChange attachment pulls the towers off in minutes, while BedGrip clamps fit most beds without drilling. On some trucks, an optional third tower adds up to 110 lb of capacity.
Owners praise five things most. They call the build stout and the powder coat durable. Also, the height range suits car washes, garages and gear stacked under a rooftop tent. Installation needs no drilling, and several owners finished it alone. Towers come off fast while the bases stay on the rails. Finally, owners trust it under rooftop tents, including setups on Retrax covers.
For me, the 300 lb off-road rating is the spec to weigh first if a rooftop tent rides on your truck. One Gladiator forum owner recommends it over the Thule Xsporter Pro for its higher weight limits.
Where the OverHaul HD Falls Short
Height changes take time. You loosen the hex bolts on every tower, so owners treat height as a set-and-forget choice. Also, Yakima sells the system in pieces: towers, HD Bars, kits and SideBars. Owners call it worth the money, yet still pricey. Several owners call Track Kit 1 fiddly on Toyota and Nissan beds. Others find blind-bolting the crossbars awkward. Wind noise reports are mixed, and Yakima’s support site points to its WindShield fairing as a fix.
Raise Your Load Over the Cab or Drop It Low
Crossbars adjust from 19 to 30 inches, with a 500 lb on-road and 300 lb off-road rating. No-drill BedGrip clamps, SKS locks and a limited lifetime warranty.
Check Price at YakimaYakima BedRock HD: A Low Rack for Bikes, Boats and Light Tents
The Yakima BedRock HD keeps everything close to the bed rails. Because it sits low, you reach bikes and kayaks from the side of the truck. The towers attach without tools, and Yakima lists a 30-minute install. Its 300 lb on-road and 180 lb off-road ratings cover bikes, boats, a cargo basket or a light rooftop tent. Space under the bars stays free for a cooler.
Owners repeat four strengths. The low profile keeps loads within easy reach. After installation, owners say the rack feels solid and praise the fit and finish. One Gladiator owner installed it in an evening, and the tool-free clamps speed removal. Finally, owners run it as a low tent base on smaller trucks, including a Gladiator, a Maverick and a Ranger.
In my view, the low height is the BedRock HD’s standout, since a lower load is easier to strap down and reach. The SKS locks also suit owners who leave the rack on year-round.
Where the BedRock HD Falls Short
Tonneau covers raise the biggest question. Yakima’s Tonneau Kit 1 does not list the BedRock HD, and owner reports on covers conflict. Several owners also needed shims or extra adjustment to level the towers and fit the bars. Finally, the 180 lb off-road rating gets tight with a rooftop tent and bedding on board.
Keep Bikes and Boats Low on Your Truck
Low-profile towers with a 300 lb on-road and 180 lb off-road rating, tool-free clamps and SKS locks. Pairs with 60, 68 or 78 inch HD Bars and carries a limited lifetime warranty.
Check Price at YakimaLoad Ratings, Tonneau Covers and Rooftop Tents
Yakima publishes two numbers for each rack. The on-road rating covers paved driving. In contrast, the off-road rating covers rough trails and runs lower. For example, owners on the rooftop tent forums cite tents from 114 to 131 lb. A 131 lb tent leaves 49 lb under the BedRock HD’s 180 lb off-road rating. By comparison, it leaves 169 lb under the OverHaul HD’s 300 lb rating.
Neither product page lists a static rating for a parked, occupied tent. Therefore, ask Yakima about sleeping weight before two adults climb into a tent on either rack. Also, Yakima’s warranty page excludes damage from rough off-road driving. Next, count the rack itself against your truck’s payload. Our guide to payload capacity and GVWR walks through the math, and a CAT scale locator finds a scale near you.
Check Your Bed and Plan Your Carriers Before You Order
Tonneau Kit 1 fits Retrax XR, RetraxPro EZ-OFF and Pace-Edwards UltraGroove covers, plus a select Ford cover. However, Yakima excludes the UltraGroove on 2004 and newer F-150s. On the OverHaul HD, Toyota and Nissan beds with factory tracks need Bed Track Kit 1. Before you buy, confirm three things: your cover brand, your track type and the bar length the fit tool assigns.
If you plan a tent, our rooftop tent buying guide covers tent weights. For a new overland bed rack build, the rack is only half the setup. A waterproof cargo bag, a dry duffel and a cable lock turn the crossbars into a secure carrier.
Weatherproof cargo for your rack
Mockins 16 Cu Ft Waterproof Rooftop Cargo Bag 45"x34"x18" Soft 840D…
Master Lock Bike Cable Lock 6'x 1/2" 4-Digit Combination Resettable…
OverHaul HD vs. BedRock HD: Which Rack Fits Your Truck
Capacity drives this Yakima bed rack choice. The OverHaul HD carries 200 lb more on-road and 120 lb more off-road. It also adjusts height, while the BedRock HD stays fixed and low. In return, the BedRock HD costs $901 less with bars and installs faster.
Next, match the rack to your truck. A full-size truck with a tonneau fits the OverHaul HD with Tonneau Kit 1. On a cover, though, its rating drops to 180 lb off-road, so weigh the tent first. Similarly, anyone running lumber or a canoe over the cab needs its height. Meanwhile, a midsize truck carrying bikes or kayaks fits the BedRock HD, a lighter overland bed rack at about 40 percent of the price.
My take: buy the OverHaul HD if a tent or heavy gear rides on top. Buy the BedRock HD if bikes and boats are your main load. To weigh Yakima against other brands, see our list of the best bed racks of 2026.
Final Thoughts
Picture your next trip and the gear riding on top. Your load picks the Yakima bed rack for you. Owners of both racks praise the build and the finish, and either one makes a solid overland bed rack. If I put a rooftop tent on my Colorado ZR2, I would pick the OverHaul HD for its off-road rating.
Each rack asks something of you. With the OverHaul HD, height changes mean a wrench on every tower, and the parts add up fast. On the BedRock HD, you give up height and some capacity, and a tonneau cover raises fit questions. Still, it costs less than half as much and installs in about 30 minutes, per Yakima.
My recommendation: pick the OverHaul HD if a rooftop tent is part of your plan, now or later. Otherwise, start with the BedRock HD and keep your bikes and boats low and easy to reach. Measure your bed and run Yakima’s fit tool before you order.
FAQ
What is the difference between the Yakima OverHaul HD and BedRock HD?
The OverHaul HD adjusts from 19 to 30 inches and carries 500 lb on-road and 300 lb off-road. By contrast, the BedRock HD sits low on the rails and carries 300 lb on-road and 180 lb off-road. With towers and HD Bars, they cost $1,519 and $618 at Yakima.
How much weight does a Yakima bed rack hold?
It depends on the rack and the road. The OverHaul HD carries 500 lb on-road and 300 lb off-road. Meanwhile, the BedRock HD carries 300 lb on-road and 180 lb off-road. On a tonneau with Tonneau Kit 1, the OverHaul HD drops to 300 lb and 180 lb.
Does a Yakima bed rack hold a rooftop tent?
Yes, owners run tents on both racks. The OverHaul HD’s 300 lb off-road rating leaves more margin for a tent and its bedding. Neither product page lists a static rating for a parked, occupied tent, so ask Yakima before you sleep up top.
Does the Yakima OverHaul HD work with a tonneau cover?
Yes, with Tonneau Kit 1. Yakima lists Retrax XR, RetraxPro EZ-OFF and Pace-Edwards UltraGroove covers, plus a select Ford cover. The UltraGroove fit excludes 2004 and newer F-150s, and the ratings drop to 300 lb on-road and 180 lb off-road.
Do you need to drill your truck bed to install a Yakima bed rack?
No. Each Yakima bed rack clamps to the bed rails without drilling. On tracked Toyota and Nissan beds, the OverHaul HD uses Bed Track Kit 1, and Yakima sells BedRock HD track adapters as spare parts.