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Top 10 Truck Bed Extenders for the 2015–2020 Ford F-150
Updated: February 2025 | Reviewed by the TruckBench Team
Even the F-150’s longest available 8-foot bed isn’t always long enough — lumber, kayaks, motorcycles, and pipe regularly exceed bed length. A bed extender gives you the extra length you need without towing a trailer, protecting your tailgate and keeping cargo stable.
The 2015–2020 F-150’s aluminum bed and tailgate work identically to steel-bed trucks for extender mounting purposes. Stake pocket holes and tie-down anchor points provide the same mounting options. We’ve ranked the top 10 across every major style with notes on the aluminum bed where relevant.
Quick Picks — Jump to Your Favorite
- Amp Research BedXtender HD MAX — Best Overall
- Rusteze Hitch-Mount Bed Extender — Best Hitch-Mount
- Tow-Rax Aluminum Truck Bed Extender — Best Aluminum
- Erickson Big Mouth Truck Bed Extender — Best Budget
- MAXXHAUL Universal Bed Extender — Best Value
- Ford OEM Bed Extender — Best OEM
- TracRac SR Sliding Rack — Best Rack System
- Buyers Products Hitch Extender — Best Hitch Extension
- Westin Brute Contractor TopSider — Best Contractor Setup
- Dee Zee Bed Extender — Best Mid-Range
#1: Amp Research BedXtender HD MAX — Best Overall
Rating: ★★★★★ | Badge: Editor’s Choice
“Mounts in the F-150’s 2-inch receiver hitch, deploys a wide aluminum net-frame extender behind the tailgate, and folds flat when not in use — no bed modification required.”
Amp Research’s BedXtender HD MAX installs in the F-150’s 2-inch receiver hitch and deploys a wide aluminum net-frame extender behind the lowered tailgate, increasing usable bed length by up to 26 inches. 500 lb. weight rating, pivots side-to-side for angled loads. No contact with the aluminum bed surface. Limited lifetime warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mount | 2-inch receiver hitch |
| Extension | Up to 26 inches |
| Capacity | 500 lbs. |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Aluminum Bed Contact | None |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
Pros: 500 lb. capacity — Folds flat — No contact with aluminum bed — Hitch mount — no modification — Pivots for angled loads — Lifetime warranty
Cons: Occupies hitch receiver — Trailer not towable while deployed — Premium price
Price: ~$210–$320
Check Price on Amazon → | AMPResearch.com →
#2: Rusteze Hitch-Mount Bed Extender — Best Hitch-Mount
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Badge: Best Hitch-Mount
“Budget hitch-mount extender — same aluminum-bed-safe advantage as the BedXtender at a lower price.”
Rusteze’s hitch-mount bed extender is a steel frame extender mounting in the 2-inch receiver, deploying behind the lowered tailgate. Steel construction, 400 lb. capacity, manual fold-up design. 1-year warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mount | 2-inch receiver hitch |
| Material | Steel |
| Capacity | 400 lbs. |
| Aluminum Bed Contact | None |
| Fold | Manual fold-up |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
Pros: Budget hitch-mount — No aluminum bed contact — 400 lb. capacity — Folds up — Simple design
Cons: Steel — heavier than aluminum — 1-year warranty — Blocks hitch when deployed
Price: ~$85–$140
#3: Tow-Rax Aluminum Truck Bed Extender — Best Aluminum
Rating: ★★★★★ | Badge: Best Aluminum
“Extruded aluminum construction — lightweight and corrosion-resistant, a natural material complement to the F-150’s aluminum bed.”
Tow-Rax’s aluminum bed extender uses extruded aluminum, lighter than steel alternatives, with a 400 lb. load rating. Rubber-tipped contact points protect the aluminum bed rails. Mounts via stake pockets. Limited lifetime warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Material | Extruded aluminum |
| Capacity | 400 lbs. |
| Fold | Folds flat in bed |
| Mount | Stake pocket |
| Contact Points | Rubber-tipped — aluminum safe |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
Pros: Lightweight aluminum — Corrosion-resistant — Rubber tips protect aluminum bed — Folds flat — Lifetime warranty
Cons: Stake pocket mount — slightly less secure than hitch — Less widely available — Confirm F-150 fitment
Price: ~$165–$240
#4: Erickson Big Mouth — Best Budget
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Badge: Best Budget
“The most popular budget bed extender on Amazon — an adjustable net-and-frame design mounting in the stake pockets.”
Erickson’s Big Mouth uses a net-and-frame design mounting in the stake pockets, deploying behind the lowered tailgate. Adjustable width, mesh net supports loads up to 350 lbs. Rubber-tipped stake pocket inserts protect the aluminum bed. Folds flat for storage. 1-year warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mount | Stake pocket |
| Capacity | 350 lbs. |
| Width | Adjustable |
| Design | Net and frame |
| Aluminum Safe | Rubber-tipped inserts |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
Pros: Very affordable — Adjustable width — Folds flat — Rubber tips protect aluminum — Net allows airflow
Cons: 350 lb. limit — 1-year warranty — Net can sag under heavy loads — Basic construction
Price: ~$45–$80
#5: MAXXHAUL Universal Bed Extender — Best Value
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Badge: Best Value
“Hitch-mount at a mid-range price — 400 lb. capacity and aluminum-bed-safe since it never touches the bed surface.”
MAXXHAUL’s universal bed extender mounts in the 2-inch receiver, 400 lb. capacity, powder-coated steel, fold-up design. No contact with the aluminum bed. 1-year warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mount | 2-inch receiver hitch |
| Capacity | 400 lbs. |
| Material | Powder-coated steel |
| Aluminum Bed Contact | None |
| Fold | Fold-up |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
Pros: Mid-range price — 400 lb. capacity — No aluminum bed contact — Fold-up — Powder coat finish
Cons: 1-year warranty — Steel heavier than aluminum — Blocks hitch when deployed
Price: ~$90–$135
#6: Ford OEM Bed Extender — Best OEM
Rating: ★★★★★ | Badge: Best OEM
“Ford’s factory bed extender engineered for the P552’s aluminum bed — purpose-designed contact points that won’t damage the aluminum surface.”
Ford’s OEM bed extender for the P552 F-150 is factory-engineered with contact points specifically designed for the aluminum bed rails and stake pockets — no galvanic corrosion concerns since Ford designed it for this specific application. Adjustable position, Ford factory warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Style | OEM Bed Extender |
| Generation | P552 (2015–2020) specific |
| Aluminum Safe | Yes — factory engineered |
| Contact Points | Aluminum-safe by design |
| Source | Ford Dealers |
| Warranty | Ford factory |
Pros: Factory-engineered for aluminum bed — Zero galvanic concern — Perfect fitment — Adjustable — Dealer support
Cons: Dealer pricing premium — Less widely available — Basic design vs. aftermarket
Price: ~$120–$195
#7: TracRac SR Sliding Rack — Best Rack System
Rating: ★★★★★ | Badge: Best Rack System
“A full aluminum over-bed rack that slides rearward for easy loading — and stays above the aluminum bed, avoiding any surface contact concerns.”
TracRac’s SR system mounts to the F-150’s bed rails on ball-bearing rollers, sliding rearward for loading and locking forward for transport. The aluminum construction is a natural complement to the F-150’s aluminum bed. Minimal bed surface contact via rubber-lined rail clamps. Limited lifetime warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Style | Sliding Over-Bed Rack |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Sliding | Ball-bearing rollers |
| Aluminum Bed Interaction | Minimal — rail-clamped |
| Load Height | Drops to tailgate for loading |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
Pros: Sliding design for easy loading — Aluminum — lightweight — Minimal bed contact — Lifetime warranty
Cons: Premium price — Significant height addition — Complex install — Reduces cab rear window visibility
Price: ~$650–$980
Check Price on Amazon → | TracRac.com →
#8: Buyers Products Hitch Extender — Best Hitch Extension
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Badge: Best Hitch Extension
“Solves clearance problems when a trailer coupler won’t clear the F-150’s tailgate or bumper during tight turns — a different product from a bed extender but often confused with one.”
Buyers Products’ receiver hitch extender inserts into the existing 2-inch receiver and provides 4–18 inches of additional rearward receiver extension. Solves clearance problems on SuperCrew short-bed F-150s towing fifth wheels or running ball mount adapters. 1-year warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Style | Receiver Hitch Extender |
| Extension | 4–18 inches |
| Material | Steel |
| Receiver | 2-inch in, 2-inch out |
| Best For | Cab clearance issues |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
Pros: Solves bumper clearance issues — Multiple lengths — Simple install — Practical for short-bed F-150 towers
Cons: Reduces tongue weight rating — 1-year warranty — Not a bed extender — Hitch extension only
Price: ~$45–$90
#9: Westin Brute Contractor TopSider — Best Contractor
Rating: ★★★★★ | Badge: Best Contractor
“A full bed rail and headache rack system turning the F-150 into a mobile job site — uses rubber-lined contact points appropriate for the aluminum bed walls.”
Westin’s Brute Contractor TopSider runs the full length of the F-150’s bed on both sides, providing tie-down points every 12 inches, a full headache rack, and stake-side extensions. Rubber-lined contact points throughout. Heavy-gauge steel construction. Note: designed for standard (non-aluminum-specific) truck beds — verify aluminum compatibility with Westin before ordering. Limited lifetime warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Style | Full Bed Rail + Headache Rack |
| Tie-Down Points | Every 12 inches |
| Contact Points | Rubber-lined |
| Material | Heavy-gauge steel |
| Aluminum Compatibility | Verify with Westin |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
Pros: Complete contractor solution — Tie-downs every 12 inches — Full headache rack — Side containment — Lifetime warranty
Cons: Verify aluminum bed compatibility with Westin — Heavy — Complex install — Changes truck profile dramatically
Price: ~$650–$1,050
Check Price on Amazon → | WestinAutomotive.com →
#10: Dee Zee Bed Extender — Best Mid-Range
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Badge: Best Mid-Range
“A reliable mid-range hitch-mount extender from a 47-year brand — no aluminum bed contact since it mounts in the receiver.”
Dee Zee’s hitch-mount bed extender uses powder-coated steel, 400 lb. capacity, fold-up design in the 2-inch receiver. No contact with the F-150’s aluminum bed surface. Limited lifetime warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mount | 2-inch receiver hitch |
| Capacity | 400 lbs. |
| Material | Powder-coated steel |
| Aluminum Bed Contact | None |
| Fold | Fold-up |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
Pros: Trusted brand — 400 lb. capacity — No aluminum bed contact — Fold-up — Lifetime warranty
Cons: Steel heavier than aluminum — Blocks hitch when deployed — Basic appearance
Price: ~$115–$180
Check Price on Amazon → | DeeZee.com →
F-150 Bed Extender Buying Guide
Aluminum Bed Considerations for Extenders
The P552 F-150’s aluminum bed is functionally equivalent to a steel bed for most extender mounting purposes, but there are two considerations worth noting:
Galvanic corrosion — Direct contact between bare steel hardware and the aluminum bed surface in a moist environment can cause galvanic corrosion over time. All stake pocket-mounted extenders should use rubber-tipped or nylon-lined contact points against the aluminum bed walls. Hitch-mount extenders avoid this entirely since they don’t contact the bed surface. The Ford OEM extender and Tow-Rax aluminum extender are designed specifically with this in mind.
Stake pocket inserts — The F-150’s aluminum stake pockets can be damaged by steel inserts without rubber or plastic protection over time. Always use rubber-tipped stake pocket hardware.
Hitch-Mount vs. Stake Pocket
Hitch-mount extenders attach to the 2-inch receiver — secure, universal, and no contact with the aluminum bed. The trade-off is that the hitch is occupied while deployed.
Stake pocket extenders mount in the bed’s stake pocket holes and fold behind the tailgate. They don’t occupy the receiver but require rubber-protected contact with the aluminum bed.
Long Load Safety
Most states require loads extending more than 4 feet beyond the vehicle’s rear to be marked with a red flag during daylight and a light at night. Always comply with your state’s specific requirements.
Combining a Headache Rack and Bed Extender
The most complete long-load setup for the F-150 is a headache rack at the front combined with a hitch-mount extender at the rear. Ford’s OEM headache rack option combined with the Amp Research BedXtender creates a complete, aluminum-compatible system.
Prices are approximate and subject to change. Use rubber-protected contact hardware against the F-150’s aluminum bed surface. Replace YOURTAG-20 with your Amazon Associates tag. TruckBench earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.
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