Let's talk Bed Racks for Tonneau Covers

[MoBob]

I think the mid height design for a RTT or just extra cargo cases would be a great start. I like the idea of a riser for longer items, but it might need to connected between two bars for rigidity. I would buy two sets if it couldn’t be adapted for both.

It would also be nice if we could easily attach a piece of TSlot aluminum (as an option?) on the back side of the bar to mount and occasionally move antenna, larger dust lights than fit in the bar, and other stuff that comes and goes, instead of drilling holes. I would prefer your specific mounts, but sometimes a simple TSlot extrusion works better for odd things. Maybe a mount like the maxtrax with just a piece of TSlot instead.

Ultimately, it needs to be easily adaptable without modifications. I would buy a set for my Full size and RR if you can get these right. I would even change bed covers if one stands out. The Market has needed this for a long time, thanks for your efforts.

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[AdventureLab]

If you come up with some designs and can send me a template I can print out, I can cut out and build a cardboard vertical section for rough fitment if that would be helpful at all. For the BAK X4S, I also have an idea to that I can write up later for how to handle the side rails. I'm thinking of mocking up a 3D print gasket, that I can print with TPU. It would cover up the hole and the rail cover and would prevent scratching on the side rails for the tanneau cover.

Oddly, it would be probably easier (ie. less back and forth communication) for me to send you a full rail, which might be a good option. If I know exactly what you're working with, the measurements have more meaning.

As for the gasket, you could probably just use some 1/8" rubber. We use that on a lot of products that need firm padding.

https://a.co/d/7bpi8kN

 

[AdventureLab]

LOL - to better visualize what I mean, think Armordillo CR1 sitting on the bed sides with an EGR rolltrac installed. The bed cover sits on rails inside the bed and has T-slots, so an additional rack can be installed on the bed cover inside the reach of the headache rack. That's my current planned setup, but with how my checking account is configured, it's a 2026-27 goal.

ha ha. I understand.

 

[AdventureLab]

Ultimately, it needs to be easily adaptable without modifications. I would buy a set for my Full size and RR if you can get these right. I would even change bed covers if one stands out. The Market has needed this for a long time, thanks for your efforts.

Thanks! Coming along nicely today on the design I posted initially. I just need this to be a starting point for the taller racks. This is going to be a great product on its own, but it will be the beginning of quite a few additional products.

I think the mid height design for a RTT or just extra cargo cases would be a great start. I like the idea of a riser for longer items, but it might need to connected between two bars for rigidity. I would buy two sets if it couldn’t be adapted for both.

Yes, to get to the top of the cab, it will take some considerable bracing. We can handle it, though.

 

[clarke]

Oddly, it would be probably easier (ie. less back and forth communication) for me to send you a full rail, which might be a good option. If I know exactly what you're working with, the measurements have more meaning.

As for the gasket, you could probably just use some 1/8" rubber. We use that on a lot of products that need firm padding.

https://a.co/d/7bpi8kN

I'm more than happy to help. I assume that the plan is for them to mount in the same way as the shorter ones that are already available right?

 

[BC_Blue]

Could be some options for different "tower" heights - lo-pro, mid-rise, maybe some some sweet spot that just clears the trifold covers (if the angle in isn't too sharp), cab height, kayak height.

I considered Billie Bars for a while - start mid-rise and maybe buy longer verticals to go cab height down the road, but didn't want to pay the premium.

Slotted something since track-to-track widths will vary slightly (even front to back). Might be able to dial it in between Retrax, X4TS, EGR, Elevate, Synetic, etc. with say a 1" slot if you can get them all confirmed. T-slot widths/depths might vary a bit too so there may not be "universal" mounting hardware

I ended up going Synetic retractable and GoRhino XRS bars - about 7" height aiming to keep the RTT fairly low. Synetic covers also don't have removable end caps on the T-slots so I used unistrut nuts over the provided hardware.

And c'mon. American Adventure Lab? Clearly you'd cut in an AR-15 over an AK.

 

[cc1999]

I have a rack on my 24 model, but it's unfortunately not compatible with a bed cover.
I do have a toolbox for dry storage.

 

[AdventureLab]

I'm more than happy to help. I assume that the plan is for them to mount in the same way as the shorter ones that are already available right?

Yes, that is the plan. The mounting should very similar. We will just need to move them outboard to clear the tonneau seals. Thanks for the offer. I will probably take you up on that. I would like to have the design complete before making parts. So, hopefully, what I send you is a fully usable rail design.

 

[clarke]

Yes, that is the plan. The mounting should very similar. We will just need to move them outboard to clear the tonneau seals. Thanks for the offer. I will probably take you up on that. I would like to have the design complete before making parts. So, hopefully, what I send you is a fully usable rail design.

If it would be helpful, I can take some pictures and measurements for you of the rails and seals after I'm done with work today.

 

[AdventureLab]

Could be some options for different "tower" heights - lo-pro, mid-rise, maybe some some sweet spot that just clears the trifold covers (if the angle in isn't too sharp), cab height, kayak height.

I considered Billie Bars for a while - start mid-rise and maybe buy longer verticals to go cab height down the road, but didn't want to pay the premium.

Slotted something since track-to-track widths will vary slightly (even front to back). Might be able to dial it in between Retrax, X4TS, EGR, Elevate, Synetic, etc. with say a 1" slot if you can get them all confirmed. T-slot widths/depths might vary a bit too so there may not be "universal" mounting hardware

I ended up going Synetic retractable and GoRhino XRS bars - about 7" height aiming to keep the RTT fairly low. Synetic covers also don't have removable end caps on the T-slots so I used unistrut nuts over the provided hardware.

And c'mon. American Adventure Lab? Clearly you'd cut in an AR-15 over an AK.

Yeah, I didn't say anything about not cutting a M4A1. That's always a possibility. As a matter of fact, that would be a really cool Easter Egg somewhere on one of the parts and it could all go back to @Gravitylost comment. To his point, it would need to be in a hidden location that you would only see when assembling the rails. It would just be one of those IYKYK things. Sort of a Ranger6g.com tribute.

I'm definitely interested in having parts of this rail system be reusable for the different heights. However, I haven't had much luck feeling good about that design in the past. We do that with our JT racks and I don't like having the extra pieces in there that make the rails flexible. We're able to produce these pretty inexpensively, so having multiple sets of the main rail parts isn't super expensive with this design. That being said, I would love to pull it off and I will keep it a top priority during the design phase.

 

[AdventureLab]

If it would be helpful, I can take some pictures and measurements for you of the rails and seals after I'm done with work today.

I appreciate that. I believe I have enough to get started on it. There may be some measurement needs that come up during design. If so, I'll shoot you a DM. Thanks!

 

[AdventureLab]

About to cut the trays for the Raptor R! I'm excited about these. Lots of flexibility.

Four different options:

1. Blank (mount your own things)
2. Full MOLLE
3. Packout
4. Rotopax

 

[AdventureLab]

 

[AdventureLab]

It's alive! Very happy with how low this one is, but still above the handle of the Retrax cover.

 

[Gravitylost]

It's alive! Very happy with how low this one is, but still above the handle of the Retrax cover.

Dude that is freaking cool

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