Truck Bed Storage and Organization: MOLLE Panels, Rails and Mounts
Truck bed storage is anything that turns an open bed into a place where gear has a spot and stays put: bedside MOLLE panels, rail and track systems, tie-down straps, bed plates with drawers, racks above the bed and carriers on the hitch. This guide walks through each approach, how to pick one for the way you use your truck, and what Integral Truck and Goose Gear make for Tacoma, Tundra, Gladiator, F-150, Super Duty, RAM and GM trucks.
Short answer: For most trucks, the best truck bed organizer is a bedside rail and panel system, because it puts tools and cases on the walls and keeps the floor open for hauling. Add swivel straps or tie-down cleats for loose cargo. If you camp or overland, a bed plate with drawers gives you locked, flat storage but takes up floor space. Bikes and motorcycles can ride on a hitch carrier instead.
The main ways to organize a truck bed
The right setup depends on whether you need the floor for loads, how often your gear changes and whether you sleep back there.
Bedside MOLLE panels
Bedside panels mount along the inside walls of the bed. Bags, tool holders, recovery gear and cases attach to the panel, so the most-used items sit at arm's reach from the tailgate or over the side. Because they live on the walls, panels leave the floor clear for plywood, mulch or a dirt bike. On Integral Truck systems, panel kits mount to bedside rails. For the RAM 1500 (2019+), Integral lists separate panel kits for its own rails and for the OEM Mopar Bedside Utility Rails, such as the Integral Panel Kit (Full) for RAM 1500 Mopar rails. Integral describes its panel kits as designed with Milwaukee Packout compatibility in mind.
Bed rail and track systems
Rails are the backbone of a wall-mounted system. They run along the bedside and give you a line of attachment points for panels, straps and cleats. Integral sells rails alone, as with the Integral Rail Kit for the RAM 1500 (2019+), and in bundles with swivel straps or panels. It also makes bulkhead rails for the front wall of the bed, such as the Integral Bulkhead Rail for Chevrolet and GMC 1500 and HD.
Swivel straps and tie-down cleats
Straps and cleats handle the cargo that changes from trip to trip. The Integral Straps for the RAM 2500/3500 (2019+) are retractable 10-ft straps that self-store when not in use, have a 360-degree self-aligning joint, and per the listing bolt to the factory tie-down anchors without drilling. Integral also lists Swivel Straps for Integral Rail, Universal Swivel Straps and a Tie-Down Cleat for Integral Rails that adds anchor points to compatible rail systems.
Bed plates, drawers and modules
A bed plate is a flat deck that bolts to the bed floor and becomes the mounting base for drawers, cubbies, fridge slides and camper modules. Goose Gear builds these for specific trucks. Its Tacoma single drawer module is 8-1/2 inches tall and comes in 19-3/16 inch and 23-5/16 inch widths, and the listing notes that pairing one of each gives wheel-to-wheel storage. The trade-off is floor space and install effort: many Goose Gear plates state that they require drilling through the bed. If you are weighing drawers against a modular case system, read Milwaukee Packout vs drawer systems for work trucks and our Goose Gear plate systems overview.
Bed racks
A bed rack stands above the bed rails and carries load up high: a rooftop tent, long gear, lights or a traction board mount.
Carriers that mount outside the bed
Sometimes the best way to free up the bed is to move something out of it. Hitch-mounted carriers ride in the receiver. Our MotoTote collection covers motorcycle hitch carriers, which keeps a bike off the bed floor entirely. Check your hitch class and tongue weight rating against the carrier and the bike before you buy.
Comparison: truck bed storage approaches
| Approach | Where it mounts | Best for | Floor space | Install notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedside rails and panels (MOLLE-style) | Inside bed walls | Tools, cases, Packout, recovery gear | Kept open | Truck- and bed-length-specific; check the listing |
| Bulkhead rail or panel | Front wall of bed | Tie-down points and cases up front | Kept open | Ford and GM versions listed by Integral |
| Swivel straps and tie-down cleats | Rails or factory anchors | Loads that change every trip | Kept open | RAM 2500/3500 straps list bolt-on to factory anchors |
| Bed plate plus drawers or modules | Bed floor | Overland, camping, secure gear | Mostly used | Many plates state drilling through the bed |
| Bed rack | Above bed | Rooftop tent, long gear, lights | Kept open below | Fitment by year and bed length |
| Hitch-mounted carrier | Receiver hitch | Motorcycles and bikes outside the bed | Fully open | Check hitch rating and tongue weight |
Most good builds combine two or three of these. A common pattern is rails and panels on the walls, straps for loose cargo and a rack overhead, which keeps every square foot of floor usable.
How to choose by how you use the truck
- Work truck. Rails and bedside panels keep tools and cases on the walls while the floor stays free for material. Bulkhead rails add anchor points up front. If you run Milwaukee Packout, start with the best truck bed mounts for Packout and how to organize a work truck with Packout instead of us repeating them here.
- Overland and camping. A bed plate with drawers and modules gives you flat, organized storage under a sleeping deck or camper shell. Goose Gear lists modules in Goose Gear Camper System and Alu-Cab versions. Our Tacoma, Tundra and F-150 overland build guides show how bed storage fits into a full build.
- Weekend gear. Coolers, camp boxes and bags change every trip, so swivel straps or rail cleats beat fixed boxes.
- Hauling bikes and motorcycles. Keep the floor clear and use rail-mounted tie-down points, or move the bike to a hitch carrier from the MotoTote collection so the bed stays free for gear.
Payload and tie-down basics
Every piece of bed storage counts against payload. Your truck's payload rating is on the tire and loading placard in the driver door jamb, and it covers passengers, cargo and accessories together. A rail and panel system is light compared with a full plate and drawer build, but either one adds up once it is loaded with tools, water and recovery gear.
- Weigh the system and the load. Add the storage hardware, what goes in it and the people in the cab, then compare against the placard.
- Keep heavy items low and forward. Weight ahead of the rear axle and close to the floor is easier on handling than weight on the tailgate or up on a rack.
- Use rated straps and solid anchors. Match the strap rating to the load, and anchor to factory tie-downs or a rail system rather than plastic trim.
- Secure every loose item. Anything that can slide in a hard stop eventually will, so cases and boxes should be strapped or locked to a mount.
For a deeper look at anchor options, read bed tie-downs vs rail tie-downs.
What Integral Truck makes, by vehicle
Integral Truck builds bedside rails, bulkhead rails, panel kits, swivel straps and bundles that combine them. Here is what is listed in our catalog by truck. Each listing is specific to year range and bed length, so match both.
- Toyota Tundra. The Full Panel Bundle for the 2007+ Tundra, the Ultimate Panel Bundle for the 2007+ Tundra, Integral Swivel Straps for the 2007+ Tundra and the Ultimate Truck Bundle for the 2022+ Gen 3 Tundra.
- Ford F-150 and Raptor (2015+, 5.5' bed). Rails, half and full panel bundles, a bulkhead rail and bundles such as the F150 and Raptor Bedside Bundle.
- Ford Super Duty (2017+). Rail, panel and strap bundles for the 6.75' and 8' beds, a bulkhead rail and the Super Duty Ultimate Truck Bundle.
- RAM 1500 and HD (2019+). Rail kits, half and full panel kits and strap bundles for the 5'7", 6'4" and 8' beds.
- Chevrolet and GMC. Rails, panels, bulkhead rails and bundles for the 1500 (2019+) and HD (2020+), plus the Integral Rails for the Colorado and Canyon (2023+).
- Tacoma and Gladiator. Integral lists the Integral Bedside Panel for the 2005+ Tacoma and 2019+ Gladiator (the same panel also fits the 2007+ Tundra), plus Toyota Bedside Panel Drop Bracket Kits; check the Integral Truck collection for the full list.
Bed storage by truck
| Truck | Integral Truck in this catalog | Goose Gear in this catalog |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Tacoma | Bedside panel (2005+), Toyota bedside panel drop bracket kits | Bed plates (1st–4th Gen), drawer modules (2005–2023), Explore Series Ultra-Lite (2nd and 3rd Gen), Alu-Cab modules |
| Toyota Tundra | Panel bundles and swivel straps (2007+), Ultimate Truck Bundle (2022+ Gen 3) | Bed plates (2.5 Gen and 3rd Gen), Alu-Cab modules |
| Jeep Gladiator | Bedside panel (2019+) | Bed plate system (2019–present 4 door), Alu-Cab modules |
| Ford F-150 and Raptor | Rails, panels, bulkhead rail, bundles (2015+, 5.5' bed) | Raptor plate, drawer and cubbie (2015–2020), camper bed plates |
| Ford Super Duty | Rails, panels, bulkhead rail, bundles (2017+, 6.75' and 8' beds) | Explore Series 6.8' bed plate |
| RAM 1500 and HD | Rails, panel kits, straps (2019+) | Alu-Cab plates and modules |
| Chevrolet and GMC 1500, HD, Colorado/Canyon | Rails, panels, bulkhead rail, bundles (1500 2019+, HD 2020+, Colorado/Canyon 2023+) | Colorado/Canyon 2nd Gen plates and modules |
Tacoma bed accessories
For the Tacoma, Goose Gear covers most of the bed storage in our catalog. The Explore Series Bed Plate for the 4th Gen Tacoma (2024–present) comes as a plain base plate, a plate with drawer anchor points or a plate with camper interior anchor points, and the listing states all three require drilling through the bed to bolt the plate down. For 2005–2023 trucks there is the Bed Plate Drawer System in 5' and 6' bed sizes and the Single Drawer Module, which needs the Tacoma bed plate to install. For a 3rd Gen with a 5' bed, the Explore Series Ultra-Lite includes a strap-in bed cargo module that uses the factory anchor points. On the bedsides, Integral lists the Integral Bedside Panel for the 2005+ Tacoma, a vehicle-specific panel the listing describes as supporting Milwaukee Packout compatibility, and separate Toyota Bedside Panel Drop Bracket Kits.
Tundra bed accessories
Tundra owners have both routes. Integral covers the wall side with panel bundles and swivel straps for the 2007+ truck, and the Ultimate Truck Bundle for the 2022+ Gen 3. Goose Gear covers the floor: the Explore Series 5.5' Bed Plate for the 3rd Gen is built from 6063-T6 aluminum extrusion and comes with or without anchor points for Goose Gear Camper System modules, and the 2.5 Gen bed plate states it requires drilling through the bed.
Gladiator bed accessories
The Goose Gear Bed Plate System for the 2019–present Gladiator is industrial-grade plywood with a sprayed coating. The listing says it requires drilling seven pre-located holes and ships with the installation hardware. After that, modules and fridge slides mount to the plate. For the bedsides, the Integral Bedside Panel lists the 2019+ Gladiator among its fits.
Full-size trucks
For a Raptor build, Goose Gear's 5.5' Bed Plate System for the 2015–2020 Raptor SuperCrew pairs with the Goose Nest Bed Cubbie, a 19-3/16 by 34 by 10 inch compartment that bolts to that plate.
What NVMOS carries
We carry Integral Truck rails, panels and straps, Goose Gear plates, drawers and camper modules, and MotoTote hitch carriers. A few places to start:
- Integral Rail Kit, RAM 1500 (2019+)
- Integral Panel Kit (Full), Ford Integral Rails
- Integral Rails, Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon (2023+)
- Bulkhead Rail and Swivel Strap Bundle, Ford F150 (5.5' bed)
- Full Panel Bundle, Toyota Tundra 2007+
- Ultimate Truck Bundle, Toyota Tundra 2022+ (Gen 3)
- Integral Straps, RAM 2500/3500 (2019+)
- Integral Rail Tie-Down Cleat
- Integral Bedside Panel, Toyota Tacoma (2005+), Tundra (2007+), Jeep Gladiator (2019+)
- Goose Gear Explore Series Bed Plate, Tacoma 4th Gen
- Goose Gear Single Drawer Module, Tacoma 2005–2023
- Goose Gear Explore Series 5.5' Bed Plate, Tundra 3rd Gen
- Goose Gear Bed Plate System, Jeep Gladiator 4 door
Browse by category: Bed Accessories, MOLLE Panels & Storage, Bed Racks, Exterior Storage & Racks and, for the cab, Storage & Organization. You can also shop by vehicle, check current lead times and review vendor warranty policies.
Frequently asked questions
What is a MOLLE panel for a truck bed?
A MOLLE panel is a rigid panel with a grid of slots or holes that bags, pouches, tool holders and mounts clip or bolt onto. In a truck bed it mounts along the bedside or bulkhead so gear rides on the wall instead of on the floor. Panel kits for specific trucks are in our MOLLE Panels & Storage collection.
How do I organize my truck bed?
Start with the gear you carry every trip, then choose a system around it: bedside rails and panels for tools and cases, a plate and drawer system for overland or camping gear, and tie-down points for everything that changes trip to trip. Keep heavy items low and forward, and leave floor space open if you still haul bulk loads.
Do truck bed MOLLE panels need drilling?
It depends on the product, so check the listing for your truck. The Integral panel kits in our catalog do not state drilling either way, while Integral Straps for the RAM 2500/3500 (2019+) list a bolt-on, no-drilling mount to the factory tie-down anchors. Several Goose Gear bed plates, including the 4th Gen Tacoma and Gladiator plates, state that they require drilling through the bed.
What is the difference between bed rails and a bed rack?
Bed rails mount along the inside of the bedsides and give you tie-down and accessory points at bed level. A bed rack stands above the bed and carries load up high, such as a rooftop tent, with the bed still open underneath.
Will Integral rails and panels work with Milwaukee Packout?
Integral describes its panel kits as designed with Milwaukee Packout compatibility in mind, and its rails and straps as suited to securing Packout boxes. For Packout-specific setups, see our Packout bed mount guide.
What truck bed accessories fit a Toyota Tacoma?
In this catalog, Tacoma bed storage is mainly Goose Gear: bed plates for the 1st Gen through 4th Gen, single drawer modules for 2005–2023 trucks, and Explore Series Ultra-Lite modules for the 2nd and 3rd Gen. Integral also lists a bedside panel for the 2005+ Tacoma, plus Toyota bedside panel drop bracket kits.
What truck bed accessories fit a Toyota Tundra?
Integral lists panel bundles and swivel straps for the 2007+ Tundra and an Ultimate Truck Bundle for the 2022+ Gen 3. Goose Gear lists bed plates for the 2014–2021 2.5 Gen and the 2022–present 3rd Gen, plus Alu-Cab camper modules.
Does bed storage count against my payload?
Yes. Rails, panels, plates, drawers and racks all add weight, and that weight comes out of the payload rating on your door-jamb placard along with passengers and cargo. Weigh the system plus your normal load before you plan the build.
Not sure which rails, panels or plate fit your bed? Call a real person at (920) 249-7744 or send us a message, and we will help you sort it out.
