How to Install Truck Bed Rails

Benefits of Truck Bed Rails

Bed rails come in a variety of styles. These come from Putco and include LED lights.

Truck Bed Rail Installation

1. Open up your package and check to see that all of your parts and accessories are there. This includes the rails, washers, and bolts. Also, if drilling is necessary, you’ll need to make sure that you have the appropriate tools to get the job done.



There are very few tools required to install a bed rail. If your bed doesn’t have stake pocket holes, a drill will be one of the tools you need.
2. Before you start any drilling or turning any bolts, hold the bed rail up to your truck to make sure that it is the appropriate length. Oftentimes, drivers skip this step and have to go back and undo work that has been done.


3. If your truck has stake pocket holes, place the bases of your bed rail over or into the holes.


4. If there are no stake pocket holes, you’re going to have to pull out the drill mounting holes where the rails should go. Make sure you make precise measurements because there’s nothing worse than unnecessarily damaging your truck bed.


5. From the underside of the truck bed perimeter, use the bolts and washers to tightly fasten the bed rails to your truck.