Let's Talk Bed Storage

[AdventureLab]

Our Ford Ranger BASE rails launched late last week. I haven't been able to make an announcement yet, but I will soon. There are already a few orders for them, so we are already in production for them.

On a side note, I would love to get some input from you guys as to how you would/could use a system like this. The obvious use case is for drawers and sliders. That will be our initial project, but I am also interested in other things you guys might like to mount to the bed of the truck (ex. spare tire mount, floor jack, fuel cans, toolbox, etc.).

You'll also notice in this video that on one side is our rear platform plate. This will be available in a few different versions. I'm still working out the options here, but I'm thinking dual packout (as shown - will hold a dual-size and a single size), solid plate with attachment cutouts (the dogbones are L-Track cutouts), MOLLE, Rotopax, etc.

So, hit me with your best shot!!!

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[joprato]

Absolutely LOVE what you guys are doing !!

 

[E40]

Some of us have retractable truck bed cover with canister taking up space by the cabin side. Hopefully, there is enough clearance between the canister and the support base piece (?).
Looking forward to your light-weight but strong truck bed slide system!!

 

[AdventureLab]

Absolutely LOVE what you guys are doing !!

Thanks!!!

 

[AdventureLab]

Some of us have retractable truck bed cover with canister taking up space by the cabin side. Hopefully, there is enough clearance between the canister and the support base piece (?).
Looking forward to your light-weight but strong truck bed slide system!!

I made the front mounts as slim and low profile as possible. They don't take up much more space than the OEM tie down loops. As these get out into the market, we'll have a better idea of compatibility with all of the roll covers. Thanks!!!

 

[Aemonn]

You touched on this in an earlier thread, but having a way of securing scepter 20L water / fuel containers would be very handy and high on my wish list.

I've seen some really sketchy methods of strapping down Kayaks / Canoes in short beds. Often people use those hitch extender T-bars. I feel there is a way the base rails could help or provide a superior solution.

 

[Adventure Ranger]

A Mountain bike mount system would be a good option. Either a Wheel lock, or spindle anchor system.

 

[1986YellowRanger]

Any chance you could make bed rail bars (basically these crossbars rotated front-to-back instead of side-to-side). I have a tonneau cover that holds 400 pounds, but no convenient method to strap things down.

 

[AdventureLab]

You touched on this in an earlier thread, but having a way of securing scepter 20L water / fuel containers would be very handy and high on my wish list.

I've seen some really sketchy methods of strapping down Kayaks / Canoes in short beds. Often people use those hitch extender T-bars. I feel there is a way the base rails could help or provide a superior solution.

The bed rails are pretty stout. I bet we could come up with a way to do kayaks w/o the hitch extender.

 

[AdventureLab]

A Mountain bike mount system would be a good option. Either a Wheel lock, or spindle anchor system.

Agreed! Fork mounts work well in this situation so you can keep the tailgate closed. Could even be mounted backwards so the skewers are easy to access.

We're also going to do a quick-release dirt bike setup using our existing dirt bike trays - https://americanadventurelab.com/product/aal-dirt-bike-carrier-and-ramp/

 

[AdventureLab]

Any chance you could make bed rail bars (basically these crossbars rotated front-to-back instead of side-to-side). I have a tonneau cover that holds 400 pounds, but no convenient method to strap things down.

We have to go side to side to get the bars securecd to the truck, but we can easily build something on top of these bars. However, each of the bars already has L-track pattern cut into them for this exact reason. Those dogbone cutouts can be used with L-Track single stud connectors for quick/easy tie down attachment.

https://americanadventurelab.com/product/single-stud-tie-down-ring-black/

Out of curiosity, what is the need for running the rails lengthwise?

 

[1986YellowRanger]

We have to go side to side to get the bars securecd to the truck, but we can easily build something on top of these bars. However, each of the bars already has L-track pattern cut into them for this exact reason. Those dogbone cutouts can be used with L-Track single stud connectors for quick/easy tie down attachment.

https://americanadventurelab.com/product/single-stud-tie-down-ring-black/

Out of curiosity, what is the need for running the rails lengthwise?

Added level of safety to keep items from sliding side to side off the cover. Plus, not having the cross-bars allows for most tonneau covers to open when items are not stacked on top of it. The rings will work, but the rails would be more robust.

 

[AdventureLab]

Added level of safety to keep items from sliding side to side off the cover. Plus, not having the cross-bars allows for most tonneau covers to open when items are not stacked on top of it. The rings will work, but the rails would be more robust.

I'm still not understanding what you're saying. Just to be clear, the BASE system here, lives on the floor of the bed, not above what would be the tonneau. If I understand your last post, you're referring to something that sits above the tonneau cover, correct?

 

[Raptor_Logic]

Curious @AdventureLab, have you looked at running L-track(front to back) in the bed yet? You mentioned this in a previous thread, you have kits for the F150 and Gladiator. If this was done DIY, are backing plates recommended and would bed removal be needed? In your professional opinion

 

[AdventureLab]

Curious @AdventureLab, have you looked at running L-track(front to back) in the bed yet? You mentioned this in a previous thread, you have kits for the F150 and Gladiator. If this was done DIY, are backing plates recommended and would bed removal be needed? In your professional opinion

I haven't drawn a kit for the Ranger yet, but definitely could if there's enough interest. The key is placing the holes in the track in positions to miss the support rails built into the bed floor. If you drill into a support rail (ie. crossmember) you can't get the nuts on to the bolts.

As for nut plates, that all depends on the load you're carrying and how many holes you want to drill into your bed. Most of the time, we just use fender washers on the bottom. However, we also do something pretty trick with the Gladiator that I like a lot better than track. Both have their benefits, but with our BASE system for the Gladiator there is nothing sticking up into the bed floor and nothing to hold mud.

Gladiator BASE System - https://americanadventurelab.com/product/jt-base-bed-attachment-system/. What you see on those photos is just the drill template. The "nut plates" attach on the bottom side of the bed floor and you only see the holes that line up with the threaded holes in the nut plates. I just realized that product page needs some more info.

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