I am in the market for a rack system for my 2018 F150 crew cab. Was thinking a rack on the truck and another on the truck cap/fiberglass topper. What has been the best experience for racks? Is height of the rack an issue with portage pads? Looking to haul an 18’6” Northstar. I am concerned that both on the topper are only 5’ apart maximum . Thanks!

I have two trucks like yours, a 2017 and a 2018. I went with a Thule system. I have 2 racks that can mount on the cab, depending on how far I go I use one or both. I also have the Goalpost rack for the hitch. I have aero bars for the roof mounts as well as a set of square bars for hauling more rugged things like lumber and ladders. Not a cheap system but well-fitting, durable, and almost stylish. The downside is that with the Goalpost you can't open your tailgate very far. I have a foldable hard lid so it doesn't bother me. But with a topper it would be a pain. I would mount a rack towards the rear of the front doors and another on your topper. I had to go with a more expensive system like a Thule or a Yakima because the majority of the roof on my 2018 is a glass sunroof and suction cups or foam pads wouldn't work.

Thank you for the information. I do not want to go with the hitch attachment due to the inability to open the back. I would get frustrated in no time with that.

DRB: "Thank you for the information. I do not want to go with the hitch attachment due to the inability to open the back. I would get frustrated in no time with that."

I wouldn't worry about the 5 foot spacing. I have a 4 door tundra with square thule bars on top that are 24" apart. I used to use the front bar and hitch goal post, but now I just use the two bars. In addition to straps at the bars I use 2 tie down ropes at each end in an inverted V shape. I've never had any stability issues. I usually haul a Q17.

Another option, which is probably the most secure, is to have a single crossbar on the cab, and a bar at the end of the topper. For the topper, you can get "gutter" attachments that bolt on Artificial gutter , then add a gutter mount rack. The extended distance between bars help considerably with bad crosswinds, even with secure bow/stern tie downs.

MReid: "Another option, which is probably the most secure, is to have a single crossbar on the cab, and a bar at the end of the topper. For the topper, you can get "gutter" attachments that bolt on Artificial gutter , then add a gutter mount rack. The extended distance between bars help considerably with bad crosswinds, even with secure bow/stern tie downs."

Yeah this is exactly what I have. Yakima 1A mounts and I installed the rain gutters on the topper. Then I have one Yakima crossbar over the cab.

I use and would recommend artificial rain gutters on toppers with crew cabs as they allow a bit longer spread between bars than the track systems and thule offers tall size artificial rain gutter mounting feet (though I have never needed the tall size) for the front bar or both if clearance is an issue with pads or some canoe shapes getting close to contact the truck cab roof. I have always mounted the feet on the topper only and never had a problem vs. mounting feet and crossbar on the truck cab. Pictured with Q18.5

DRB: "I am in the market for a rack system for my 2018 F150 crew cab. Was thinking a rack on the truck and another on the truck cap/fiberglass topper. What has been the best experience for racks? Is height of the rack an issue with portage pads? Looking to haul an 18’6” Northstar. I am concerned that both on the topper are only 5’ apart maximum . Thanks!"

That's what I do. The only thing to watch out for is if you're on a very rough rocky road. It's been said the that the truck's bed will move independently of the rest of the truck on rough roads

I want to add that I have tracks on my topper that accept Yakima mounts

Thank you all! This is what I was hoping for. I appreciate the expertise and advice!

Northwoodsman: "I have two trucks like yours, a 2017 and a 2018. I went with a Thule system. I have 2 racks that can mount on the cab, depending on how far I go I use one or both. I also have the Goalpost rack for the hitch. I have aero bars for the roof mounts as well as a set of square bars for hauling more rugged things like lumber and ladders. Not a cheap system but well-fitting, durable, and almost stylish. The downside is that with the Goalpost you can't open your tailgate very far. I have a foldable hard lid so it doesn't bother me. But with a topper it would be a pain. I would mount a rack towards the rear of the front doors and another on your topper. I had to go with a more expensive system like a Thule or a Yakima because the majority of the roof on my 2018 is a glass sunroof and suction cups or foam pads wouldn't work."

Just passing by but wanted to say thank you as well. I currently don't have a regular vehicle (my brother's car) I use for transportation so I decided to install new racks (from rackadvisor ) on my truck. So I've been looking for similar Thule setups.
Do you have any photos?

Check out the Malone HandiRack and VersaRack sold at BassPro. I don't have any experience with them, but it might be what you're looking for if you go with two racks on the cab.

Good advice upthread.
I have an extended cab F-250 with Thule rails permanently mounted on the top of the cab. I have crossbars that attach to the rails. I find that with a 17' canoe this is barely adequate for long journeys, even with bow and stern lines to the bumpers, because the rails are too close to each other. I used this system when I was towing an Airstream and made it work but did not feel that it was secure.

Now that I sold the Airstream I just use an inexpensive trailer for the canoe(s). Easier to do, more secure, and cheaper over the long run since I don't have to start over with every new car.

I have the same model/year F-150. I use a clamp on rack from Van Tech on the bed and a Malone VersaRail roof rack on the cab. The bed rack has proven to be very versatile and rugged and the Malone rack allows me to secure the canoe and other gear that extends over the cab.