Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Bed Rack, No Drilling Required

KB Voodoo builds modular truck bed racks for the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra that install without drilling and keep your tonneau cover in place. Every system is fabricated in Western New York and backed by published load ratings for every configuration.

If you drive a Silverado or Sierra, you already know the two trucks share more than a badge. Same full size bed platform, same basic dimensions, same problem. Once you add a tonneau cover, the bed fills up fast and there's nowhere left to put anything that doesn't fit flat.

A bed rack solves that by putting usable space above the bed instead of competing for space inside it. But "get a bed rack" isn't really the decision. The decision is which system, at what height, for what you're actually hauling. That's what this article walks through.

Why Silverado and Sierra Owners Ask the Same Questions

Can I run a bed rack and keep my tonneau cover?

Yes, with the right system. KB Voodoo's integrated attachment brackets and no-drill bed attachment clips secure the rack to the underside of the bed lip, which means the cover stays on the truck and your gear underneath stays dry and secure. What tonneau compatible does not mean is that the cover opens and functions exactly like it did before a rack was installed. Most folding covers won't fully open with a rack in place, retractable covers keep working, and most roll-up covers will fully function. If you need full bed access, every KB Voodoo rack is designed to come off in minutes.

Do I need to drill into my bed?

No. Installation uses no-drill bed attachment clips that clamp to the underside of the bed lip. Neither the Silverado nor Sierra require any permanent modification to run a KB Voodoo rack.

What's actually different between my Silverado and my neighbor's Sierra?

Almost nothing from a rack fitment standpoint. Both trucks use the same bed dimensions across comparable trim years, and KB Voodoo's tonneau fitment guides list them together for that reason. The real decision points aren't Chevy versus GMC. They're height, system, and what you're planning to carry.

Choosing a Rack Height

Height selection comes down to one question. What are you loading, and do you want it to clear the cab?

If you're running a rooftop tent, the goal is usually either flush to cab (subtract your tent's height from your cab height) or full clearance above the cab for a tent that overhangs the bed. Silverado and Sierra 1500 cab height runs about 23 inches on either truck, so a 22-inch rack sits just under flush. If you're not running a tent and just want max usable space underneath for coolers, totes, or a Gear Locker storage chest, a lower or mid height configuration keeps the rack functional without adding unnecessary height to the truck.

If you're hauling kayaks, ladders, or lumber that need to clear the cab, a taller configuration in the CXR Fortress or CXR Utility Max line gives you the clearance to run gear the full length of the truck.

Full fitment specs by model and cover type are in the CXR Height Selection Guide.

Full Length Bed Coverage Matters More Than Most Buyers Realize

Most competing bed racks attach only at the bottom of the rack legs, which limits mounting points and forces a rack that's noticeably shorter than the actual bed. KB Voodoo's Base Rail System (BRS) lets attachment brackets be positioned anywhere along the length of the bed, which means the CXR Fortress and CXR Utility Max are both built to run the full length of a Silverado or Sierra bed rather than a shortened version of it. That translates directly into more usable surface for gear, better floor support if you're running a rooftop tent, and a cleaner look overall.

Which System Fits Your Silverado or Sierra?

PRO-XE Crossbars — The simplest entry point. A standalone crossbar system, not expandable into a full rack, built for bikes, cargo boxes, ski racks, and roof top tents. Good fit if you want tonneau compatibility and mounting points without committing to a full overland style build. See the full Truck Bed Crossbar Systems lineup.

VRS Rack System — CNC laser cut rail system with a crossbar to full rack upgrade path. If you start with crossbars and later want to build out into a complete overland rack, the VRS line is the one designed to grow with you. Compatible with the VRS exclusive Gear Locker storage chest, tent bars, awning mounts, and a full accessory line. See the full VRS Overland Rack lineup.

CXR Fortress — Built on the full length Base Rail System, available in 4-Pack and 6-Pack configurations. This is the rack for Silverado and Sierra owners planning a dedicated overland or camping build who want room to expand. Browse the Overland Style Truck Bed Racks collection.

CXR Utility Max — Purpose built for contractor use. A 26-inch over-cab extension turns the rack into a combined bed rack and roof rack for ladders, lumber, and pipe, while still handling kayaks, canoes, and rooftop tents. If your Silverado or Sierra works during the week and adventures on the weekend, this is the system built to do both. Available in 4-Pack and 6-Pack configurations, or as a Softopper compatible 4-Pack if you're running a canvas canopy.

See the full breakdown on the Product Line Comparison page.

Load Ratings, In Plain Terms

Every KB Voodoo rack publishes both a dynamic rating, meaning weight supported while driving, and a static rating, meaning weight supported while parked, which matters most for rooftop tent owners since it includes the tent, sleepers, and gear. The CXR Fortress and CXR Utility Max both carry 600 lbs dynamic and 1,200 lbs static in standard configurations. Don't just chase the biggest number. Match the rating to what you're actually carrying. A pair of kayaks needs very little capacity but benefits from the right height. A loaded rooftop tent needs both ratings considered together.

Building Out Your Silverado or Sierra Rack With Accessories

A bed rack is the foundation. The accessory ecosystem is what actually makes it work for the way you use your truck day to day.

CXR Fortress owners get access to the Cargo Access Door, a flip-up panel with dual gas cylinders that lets you reach items inside the bed without removing the rack, something most competing rack systems don't offer at all. It's available on any 6-Pack CXR Fortress with a minimum rack height of 17 inches, and doubles as a fold-down camp table. See the Cargo Access Door directly.

VRS Rack owners have the deepest accessory line in the KB Voodoo catalog, including the Gear Locker storage chest, sliding and fixed cargo trays, top mount accessory panels, tent bars, awning mounts, and hi-lift jack brackets, all compatible with 12, 18, and 22-inch VRS configurations.

Whether you're outfitting a work truck or building toward a full overland setup, the accessory line is built to expand with you rather than force a decision up front. Browse the full CXR Storage Options collection to see what fits.

Carrying Kayaks, Ladders, and Long Cargo

If you're loading kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, or lumber that runs longer than the bed itself, that's a separate rack category from the crossbar and overland systems above. See the Kayak Racks page for a rack built specifically around that kind of long cargo, or add CXR Bed Rack Tent Bars to any CXR system if your rooftop tent needs bars running parallel to the truck.

Built in Western New York

Every KB Voodoo rack is fabricated in Western New York from aluminum or steel, finished in black textured powder coat with stainless steel hardware, and made to order, not mass produced and warehoused. Lead time runs 5 to 7 business days after order placement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a bed rack fit both the Silverado and Sierra the same way?
Yes. Both trucks share comparable bed dimensions, and KB Voodoo's fitment guides and rack configurations apply to both without modification.

Can I run a tonneau cover and a bed rack on my Silverado or Sierra at the same time?
Yes. KB Voodoo's no-drill bed attachment clips and integrated attachment brackets are designed specifically for this. Check the Tonneau Fitment Guide for your specific cover.

Do I need to drill into my truck bed to install a KB Voodoo rack?
No. Every system installs using no-drill bed attachment clips that clamp to the underside of the bed lip. Track versions are also available for tonneau covers with integrated tracks, such as Retrax, Pace Edwards, and Roll'n Lock.

Can the rack support a rooftop tent?
Yes, within its published dynamic and static load ratings. Height selection determines whether the tent sits flush with the cab or extends above it. See the CXR Height Selection Guide for specifics.

Is KB Voodoo's rack made in the USA?
Yes. Every rack is fabricated in Western New York.

Not sure which system or height is right for your Silverado or Sierra? Contact KB Voodoo or browse the fitment guides. You can also call or text (716) 296-0086, and we'll help you find the right fit.

Article by Nicholas Bellanti