Wireless communications systems and methods related to the timing arrangements and the transmission gap configurations in 2-step random access channel (RACH) procedures to improve system latency and reliability of a RACH HARQ process are provided. The UE transmits a first message including a random access preamble and a payload, and then monitors for a second message in response to the first message during a random access response (RAR) window. In response to determining that no second message is received by the UE from the BS or a back off indicator is received within the RAR window, the UE re-transmits the preamble and payload of the first message after the RAR window lapses. In response to determining if the second message received within the RAR window carries a FallbackRAR or SuccessRAR, the UE then determines to re-transmit the payload of the first message based on the FallbackRAR, or to transmit an acknowledgement message based on the SuccessRAR.