LEITNER DESIGNS ACS FORGED BED RACK - CHEVROLET (2014-2025)

Leitner Designs Active Cargo System For Chevrolet Trucks

Your Chevrolet Colorado or Silverado deserves a bed rack that can keep up with your adventures. The Leitner Designs ACS FORGED delivers exactly that—a no-drill, bolt-on solution that transforms your truck bed into a versatile cargo platform. Whether you're hauling camping gear, mounting a rooftop tent, or carrying bikes and kayaks, this Chevrolet bed rack has you covered.

Built in Corona, California, the Leitner ACS represents five years of development and hundreds of thousands of off-road miles of real-world testing. This isn't some imported rack with questionable quality. It's American-made engineering at its finest, designed to handle whatever you throw at it.

The Leitner bed rack fits a wide range of Chevrolet trucks, from the midsize Colorado to full-size Silverado 1500, 2500HD, and 3500HD models. With multiple bed length options available, you'll find the perfect fit for your specific truck.

What Is The Leitner Designs ACS FORGED?

The ACS FORGED is the next evolution of Leitner's proven Active Cargo System. It combines the legendary durability of the original ACS Classic with modern engineering improvements and enhanced load capacity. Think of it as a rack that's been refined through years of customer feedback and extreme testing.

This Chevrolet bed rack features single-piece aluminum alloy uprights that eliminate weak points common in welded designs. Paired with custom Grade 10.9 alloy steel fasteners, you get a system engineered to withstand serious punishment. Every bolt features a black Zi-Ni coating—the toughest corrosion protection available—and comes pre-treated with Loctite to prevent loosening under vibration.

The NDNS (No Drill, No Slide) configuration means this rack bolts directly to your truck's factory mounting points without requiring any drilling. The rear load bar stays in a fixed position, making it ideal for permanent rooftop tent installations or gear carriers that don't need to slide.

Leitner Bed Rack Key Features

No-Drill Installation

Forget about drilling holes in your expensive truck. The Leitner Designs bed rack uses your Chevrolet's existing factory mounting points for a clean, reversible installation. This preserves your truck's integrity, maintains resale value, and eliminates potential leak points. Installation is straightforward enough that most people can handle it in their driveway.

Lightweight Aluminum Construction

At just 85 pounds, this rack won't bog down your Colorado or Silverado. The aluminum alloy construction delivers incredible strength while keeping weight minimal. This means better fuel economy, improved handling, and less stress on your suspension compared to heavy steel alternatives.

Premium Fastener Hardware

Every single fastener in this system is purpose-built for the ACS FORGED. The Grade 10.9 black Zi-Ni coated bolts resist corrosion far better than standard hardware. The pre-applied Loctite means you won't be constantly retightening bolts after hitting rough roads or trails.

Quad-Rail Load Beam System

Those heavy-duty 2.0-inch square load bars aren't simple tubes. They feature four T-slot channels—two facing up, one running fore-aft, and two facing down. This quad-rail design gives you virtually unlimited mounting options for accessories, tie-downs, and custom cargo solutions.

Universal Accessory Compatibility

The Leitner ACS works with accessories from Thule, Rhino-Rack, and Yakima. Already invested in crossbars or cargo systems from these brands? They'll bolt right up to your Leitner bed rack. This compatibility saves money and expands your options significantly.

DECKED System Compatible

If you're running a DECKED drawer system in your truck bed, the Leitner Designs ACS FORGED works perfectly alongside it. You get organized storage below and massive cargo capacity above—the best of both worlds for serious overlanders.

Optional GearPod Storage

Add Leitner's patented GearPods (US Patent 10259508) for locking, weather-resistant storage that's always within reach. These aerodynamic storage boxes follow your truck's body lines to minimize wind noise while keeping tools, recovery gear, and valuables secure.

Leitner Designs ACS Specifications

Specification	Details
Weight	85 lbs
Height from Bed Caps	23 inches
Load Bar Size	2.0" square
Material	Aluminum alloy
Fasteners	Grade 10.9 black Zi-Ni coated
Off-Road Dynamic Capacity	400 lbs
On-Road Dynamic Capacity	800 lbs
Static Capacity (Parked)	1,400 lbs
Finish	Dual-stage powder coated
Manufacturing	Corona, California, USA
Patent	US Patent 9586629

Weight Capacity Explained

Understanding the different weight ratings ensures you're using your Leitner bed rack safely and effectively. This rack offers three distinct capacity ratings for different scenarios.

The off-road dynamic rating of 400 pounds applies when you're actively driving on rough terrain, forest roads, or rocky trails. This conservative number ensures everything stays secure when your truck is bouncing and flexing over obstacles.

The on-road dynamic rating of 800 pounds doubles your capacity for highway and paved road driving. This rating is perfect for long road trips with bikes, cargo boxes, or kayaks mounted on top.

The static rating of 1,400 pounds is what matters when your truck is parked. This massive capacity easily handles even the heaviest rooftop tents on the market. You can sleep in your tent without worrying about stressing the rack or your truck bed.

Chevrolet Bed Rack Installation

Installing the Leitner Designs ACS on your Chevrolet is straightforward thanks to the no-drill design. You won't need specialized tools, welding equipment, or fabrication skills. Just basic hand tools and a couple of hours.

Start by positioning the side rails over your factory bed mounting points. Leitner's precision laser-cut aluminum ensures perfect alignment with your specific Chevrolet model. Secure the rails using the provided stainless steel mounting hardware, threading bolts directly into factory mounting points.

Once the rails are secured, slide the crossbars into the side rail channels. Position them based on your specific cargo needs—closer together for small items, farther apart for rooftop tents. Install the wind deflector by sliding T-nuts into the front crossbar's aluminum extrusion slots.

Most installations take 2-4 hours depending on your experience level and whether you're adding accessories. Leitner provides detailed instructions with every rack, and installation videos are available online for visual guidance.

Important Note for 2019+ Models: Chevrolet 1500, 2500HD, and 3500HD trucks from 2019 onwards require an additional rear support bracket for proper installation. This bracket is sold separately and ensures the rack sits correctly on newer bed designs.

Modular Design Benefits

The true versatility of the Leitner ACS comes from its modular design. Unlike welded racks with fixed crossbar positions, this system lets you customize crossbar spacing for any cargo situation.

Carrying a rooftop tent? Position the bars according to the tent manufacturer's mounting specifications. Hauling mountain bikes? Space them to support the wheels. Need to transport lumber or ladder? Adjust the spacing to maximize support and stability.

The T-slot channels in every crossbar accept standard T-nuts and bolts, making it simple to attach custom mounts, light brackets, recovery board holders, or tie-down points exactly where you need them. This flexibility means the rack evolves with your needs instead of limiting your capabilities.

Chevrolet Colorado Compatibility

The Leitner Designs bed rack fits both short bed (5') and long bed (6') Colorado models from 2014-2025. This covers the second and third generation Colorado trucks, giving midsize Chevy owners a premium bed rack option.

For 2023+ Colorado models, you'll need an additional rear support bracket due to bed design changes. This bracket ensures proper fit and load distribution on the newest Colorado generation.

The Colorado-specific fitment means you get perfect alignment with factory mounting points and bed dimensions. No universal one-size-fits-all compromises here.

Chevrolet Silverado Compatibility

Silverado owners have multiple options depending on bed length. The Leitner bed rack fits:

5-8" short bed (Silverado 1500, 2001-2025)
6-6" standard bed (Silverado 1500/2500HD/3500HD, 2007-2025)
8-0" long bed (Silverado 1500/2500HD/3500HD, various years)

The 8-foot bed rack is priced at $1,950 (compared to $1,850 for shorter beds) due to the additional materials and engineering required for longer spans.

For 2019+ Silverado 1500 and 2020+ HD models, an additional rear support bracket is required and sold separately. This bracket accommodates the redesigned bed structure on newer Silverados.

Compatible Accessories

The Leitner bed rack opens up countless possibilities for your Chevrolet. Rooftop tents from CVT, Roofnest, iKamper, Tepui, and others mount directly to the rack's crossbars. The 1,400-pound static capacity handles even the largest family-sized hardshell tents.

Bike racks, kayak carriers, and cargo boxes from Thule, Yakima, and Rhino-Rack bolt right on using the quad-rail T-slot system. Carry multiple bikes, kayaks, or combinations of different gear all at once.

Recovery gear like Maxtrax, off-road lighting, jerry can holders, and shovel mounts all find easy mounting points on the Leitner ACS. The modular design means you can configure your setup exactly how you want it.

Leitner's own accessory line includes GearPods for secure storage, light mounting brackets, table systems, and more—all designed specifically to work with the ACS platform.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

No-drill installation preserves truck bed integrity and resale value
Lightweight aluminum won't hurt fuel economy or payload capacity
Massive 1,400-pound static capacity for heavy rooftop tents
Fits wide range of Colorado and Silverado models and bed lengths

Cons:

2019+ Silverado models require additional rear support bracket (sold separately)
Fixed rear bar means no sliding functionality for loading motorcycles

Why Choose Leitner Designs?

Leitner Designs has spent years perfecting truck bed racks through real-world testing in extreme conditions. The ACS FORGED isn't designed by engineers who never leave the office—it's built by people who actually use their trucks for serious adventures and understand what works.

American manufacturing in Corona, California means strict quality control and supporting domestic jobs. The limited lifetime warranty demonstrates Leitner's confidence in their product.

Compare this to imported alternatives that might cost less initially but use inferior materials, questionable welding, and lack proper engineering for your specific Chevrolet model. The Leitner bed rack will outlast cheaper options by years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Chevrolet trucks does this rack fit?
This rack fits 2014-2025 Colorado (5' and 6' beds) and 2001-2025 Silverado 1500/2500HD/3500HD (5-8", 6-6", and 8-0" beds). Always verify your specific model year and bed length when ordering.

Do I need the rear support bracket?
2019+ Silverado 1500 and 2020+ Silverado 2500HD/3500HD models require an additional rear support bracket (sold separately). 2023+ Colorado models also need this bracket.

Can I install this myself?
Yes. The no-drill design and clear instructions make this a straightforward DIY installation. Most people complete it in 2-4 hours with basic hand tools.

Will this work with my tonneau cover?
No. The rack sits above the bed rails, so it's not compatible with most tonneau covers. You'll need to choose between rack functionality and bed cover.

What's the weight difference between aluminum and steel racks?
Steel racks typically weigh 150-200+ pounds compared to this rack's 85 pounds. That weight savings improves fuel economy, handling, and payload capacity.