What is the best way to carry cargo on a Ram 1500?

Bed rack systems (bolt to stake pockets) and the factory hitch receiver (standard, up to 1,275 lbs tongue weight). Most Ram 1500s lack factory roof rails. The Ram's coil-spring rear suspension provides a smoother ride with hitch-mounted cargo versus leaf-spring competitors — less bounce and sway.

Does the Ram RamBox affect bed rack installation?

Yes — RamBox bed-side storage compartments narrow the effective bed width and may prevent standard bed rack installation. Verify rack compatibility with RamBox specifically before purchasing. Some manufacturers offer RamBox-compatible racks designed around the narrower usable bed width.

Can I lower the Ram air suspension for loading?

Yes — Ram 1500 models with air suspension (standard on Limited and above) can be lowered to Entry/Exit height for cargo loading. This reduces bed rail and hitch height by approximately 2 inches, making loading heavy items onto bed racks or hitch carriers noticeably easier. Return to Normal before driving.

Does the Ram 1500 have a factory hitch?

Yes — every Ram 1500 includes a factory hitch receiver (Class III or IV, up to 12,750 lbs towing). All hitch accessories work immediately: bike racks, cargo carriers, motorcycle carriers. The Ram's coil-spring suspension provides superior ride quality with loaded hitch accessories versus leaf-spring trucks.

What bed lengths are available on the Ram 1500?

5'7" (Short Box, most common with Crew Cab) and 6'4" (Standard Box, available with Crew Cab and Quad Cab). Bed racks are length-specific — stake pocket spacing differs between lengths. Measure your actual bed before ordering. RamBox-equipped trucks have different effective widths regardless of length.

Best Racks for Ram 1500 — Tested & Ranked

Mounting Guide for Ram 1500

What you need to know before installing a rack system

Roof Mounting

The 5th-generation Ram 1500 (DT, 2019+) follows the full-size truck paradigm: the cab roof has no standard roof attachment points. Like the F-150 and Silverado, the Ram relies on its bed and factory hitch as primary cargo platforms. Some Ram 1500 configurations include the optional roof rail package (particularly common on Laramie, Limited, and Longhorn trims). With factory rails, use appropriate crossbar feet for the rail type present on your specific truck. Without factory rails: Thule Evo Clamp with Ram 1500-specific Fit Kit provides doorframe clamp mounting. However, bed rack systems are the practical solution for most Ram owners. Bed rack systems bolt to the stake pockets in the Ram's steel bed. Available bed lengths: 5-foot-7 (Short Box), 6-foot-4 (Standard Box). The Ram's bed uses steel construction across all trims. [ADD ORIGINAL PHOTO] [ADD PERSONAL EXPERIENCE]

Hitch Mounting

Aftermarket hitch required

Every Ram 1500 includes a factory hitch receiver as standard equipment (Class III or IV depending on configuration, up to 12,750 lbs towing, 1,275 lbs tongue weight on max-tow configurations). All hitch-mount accessories work immediately without modification. The Ram's factory hitch — like the F-150 and Silverado — makes hitch accessories the simplest and most practical cargo expansion for truck owners. The Ram's unique coil-spring rear suspension (unlike the leaf springs on F-150/Silverado) provides a more controlled ride with hitch-mounted cargo, reducing bounce and sway.

Expert Notes

The Ram 1500 distinguishes itself from the F-150 and Silverado with its coil-spring rear suspension — this provides a measurably smoother ride with hitch-mounted cargo. Hitch bike racks, cargo carriers, and motorcycle carriers experience less bounce and harmonic vibration on the Ram compared to leaf-spring competitors. The Ram's available air suspension (standard on Limited and above) allows lowering the vehicle for cargo loading, then raising for driving. This is a genuine ergonomic advantage when loading bed racks or heavy hitch accessories. The RamBox cargo management system provides locked bed-side storage but reduces usable bed width. Bed racks must accommodate the narrower effective bed width on RamBox-equipped trucks. [ADD PERSONAL EXPERIENCE]

— Jason Majewski, MyCargoRacks Technical Team

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Ordering bed racks without checking for RamBox. The bed-side storage compartments narrow the effective bed width and may prevent standard bed rack installation. Verify compatibility. Mistake #2: Buying cab-roof crossbars without verifying factory rail presence. Most Ram 1500s lack roof rails unless optioned — check your specific truck. Mistake #3: Wrong bed length rack. The 5'7" and 6'4" beds have different stake pocket spacing. Not interchangeable between lengths. Mistake #4: Under-utilizing the coil-spring suspension advantage for hitch cargo. The Ram's smoother ride dynamics make hitch-mount accessories particularly well-suited — less bouncing means less stress on mounted gear and more stable transport.

Installation Tips

For bed rack systems: stake pocket bolt-on installation, 30-45 minutes. Verify bed length: 5'7" (Crew Cab Short Box) or 6'4" (Crew Cab/Quad Cab Standard Box). [ADD PERSONAL EXPERIENCE] The Ram's RamBox (bed-side storage compartments, available on select trims) may affect certain bed rack systems. Verify compatibility with RamBox if your truck is so equipped — some racks conflict with the RamBox opening mechanism. The multifunction tailgate (2019+ option) does not affect bed rack installation.