Look what I did this weekend! CornHole and Truck Rack!

I didn't feel like dropping some coin on a truck rack, so I made one!

 

I wouldn't put 10 2x4's on that without worry of the whole thing tumbling down on my roof.

 

You better redneck-o-nize bitches

 

that thing is top notch engineering its pretty stable, for my canoes, kayaks, and surfboards.

 

It actually looks pretty stable. Good job OP.

 

Thanks southeast, it was from this forum that gave me the courage to try this out!!!

my buddy saw my truck the other day and called it the Blue Moose, he said it looks like antlers, I like it alot!

 

Looks great!

 

I did something similar awhile back for a short term trip. If you have any leftover plywood from the cornhole set, consider ripping a couple strips, maybe a foot wide and long enough to span between the posts. This will secure your joints much better. Even though the corner bracing looks strong, there will be a lot of forces acting on this while you're driving with a full load. I assume you used screws for everything, please tell me you did! And attached it to the bed somehow...

But well done on your ingenuity, and enjoy your new toys!

 

Ummmm....are you gonna paint it...or stain it....?

 

"blue moose.jpg"

it's a great looking truck! don't mistake any constructive criticism that you'll hear as just criticism

 

It won't last, those corner braces don't do much. One of them is toe screwed into the upright and will rip out with minimal force. You need a piece of plywood down each side to add sheer value. If you plan for it to last you need some modifications and some paint.

 

Yes I am def staining it.
I used galvanized deck screws (weather proof).
Securing it right now is ratchet straps from the bed rail cleats going to the the 2x4 frame on both side, I was thinking about using eye-bolts one on each side and connecting to the bed rail cleats? how does that sound?

maybe i could rig up something from the bed rail (attachment thread) and bolt it to the bed rail?

This wont be on the truck all the time.

I need the constructive critisim anything you guys think i should do is fine by me, I appreciate it! keep the tips coming!

 

Gonna apologize for this quick sketch... but in order to keep the bed rack from wobbling apart, you need something to span between the legs. This is the dark brown rectangle I drew. Making it out of plywood would keep it easy and slim, and you can make this "wall" as tall as you want to either aid or prevent things from being removed from the back. The important part is the triangle shapes created (shown in green) between the screws which are in yellow. This well prevent the rack from leaning like so /___/. If you do this on each side as well as between the front two legs, your rack will be strong enough to handle anything. You can skip spanning the rear two legs, just to make things easier loading and unloading from the bed. When I made my version of this, I essentially built walls from top to bottom to make it stronger and prevent stuff from being removed out the side. Like I said though, the important part are these imaginary triangles that are created between the plywood attachment points. The larger the triangles, the stronger the rack.



Sorry I'm not an engineer and I'm not good at conveying what little knowledge I have, but I know that this will help your rack immensely. So if you have any questions please ask and hopefully another member can explain more clearly

 

I built a headache rack very similar to this from some scraps. Used plywood like the post above and it holds together nicely. I only use it occasionally when I need a few longer boards. Just toss it in the back when heading to the lumber yard, then I stand it up and secure it with the rest of the load to the bed tie downs or d-rings in the bed if a little heavy.

Screwed mine together and then put two nails at each connection, one from each side. Just to be sure. Screws can sheer, even the high grade ones. A nail will only bend.

Heck yeah it's redneck. It's a truck, use it to get stuff done.

 

I think it looks classy my neighbors were gawking the whole time i was building it!

DeSean, thanks for the diagram I'm def gonna look into making the sides with the plywood attachment!

Cholland, I'll add a couple nails too!

Thanks guys!

 

Why would you spend the time, and money on this project, and not just put that money towards a new/used one?

Looks good, but I couldn't do it..

 

it took like 2.5 hours drank some beers I got a solid tan, I think it cost $34.00 the used racks in my area are all around 200-350! Thule Xsporter/TracRac. I like sweat equity!

 

Chop saws are fun. That's why

 

Hey guys,

Im bringing this thread back from the dead. I have a question should I stain the wood rack or paint? I was thinking of staining and varnish it for the wood look and decent protection from the elements. Or possibly I could paint the rack black so its more sleek looking, if I did paint it would I use primer first?

Stain or Paint it Black?

 

Paint it black...