Side Rail Cap System by KB Voodoo - NOW MADE FROM ALUMINUM

You asked for it, and you got it.

The design is complete, but I need your input on material thickness.

It can be 14 gauge (0.0747" thick), or 11 gauge (0.1196" thick).

The 11 gauge version will weigh 16.5 pounds per set. The 14 gauge version will weigh 10.3 pounds per set.

This will effect cost of manufacturing, and cost of shipping.

These numbers are for short beds only right now. Long bed design coming soon.

If it were me, I'd have the thicker version.

Let's hear your thoughts.

Design details:

- Will mount using factory bolts.
- Will mount BEHIND the factory cleat rail.
- Will use 1/16" thick water resistant double sided tape on top of the rail to act as a barrier between the cap and the truck's sheet metal.
- Will have openings in the top for hooking bungee cords to.
- Will be black textured powder coated.

 

How thick is the tailgate you sent my way?

Sign me up for the 1st production run for a long bed.

 

As someone who uses my truck, I really like this. I put my camper shell on once or twice a month though, so I think I am SOL (it uses factory plastic rails). Your tail gate caps look great too BTW.

 

My tailgate caps and bed brackets are both 14 gauge.

That thickness is more than enough for those components, but I'm thinking the side rail caps need to be heavier, especially because you will be able to hook into the openings with a bungee or ratchet strap.

 

Sub'd for prices...I want 11GA....

 

Will the factory bolts support a ratcheting load?

 

I can't think of any reason why these wouldn't work with your set-up, and the fact that you put a camper shell on your truck pushes me closer to the thicker version.

 

Definitely, but within reason.

The bolts are substantial, and there are six of them on the short bed (not sure about the long bed yet), and the factory cleat rail helps reinforce the whole system.

 

Well then, subbed for long bed. The shell does sit over and on top of the +-5/8" thick plastic though, so still need to investigate if the cab alignment would be affected. I'm at only 7k miles and the tailgate and side caps already look like ass.

 

Trust me ... get the tailgate cap ...

 

If you offered both, I'd buy the 14.

 

Tell me why good sir.

 

Well.. I wouldn't necessarily utilize the bed caps as attachment points for tie downs or bungee cords, so having that extra thickness and strength of the 11 gauge for a feature I wouldn't personally utilize just adds extra costs both in initial purchase and shipping costs. I don't know if this is a $10 difference or a $40 (or more) difference, so this may or may not be an issue.

For me, it'd be more for better durability over the plastic long term and short, since I hate how the factory bed caps flex so badly and creak when I'm reaching over the bed sides. They aren't attached particularly strongly in the first place, so a metal unit that is more secured to the bed would be a good upgrade.

If I'm missing something, let me know. Not to say an 11 gauge is overbuilt, but I don't think I'd benefit from the difference in thickness/strength of the 2, so if both were available, I'd buy the thinner version more than likely.

 

Subbed... I have been wanting something like this for a while. I would really like to see some way to have a bed rack attach to it with ease leaving the rails on when taking it off and so on...

Good looking stuff op.

 

Hey VooDoo, I'm also interested. Regarding thikness I let you decide. I will mostly use my truck for small to medium size home appliances and consumer electronics deliveries. Tomorrow I will the payment as discussed earlier for the other products. Thanks once again!!!

 

I can't see the need for the holes, but do see the downside: I'm planning on getting a tonneau cover, so the holes would make the top rail leak.

I'd hope the holes would be optional?

 

This will be a great mod, the only downside is a lot of the accessories like camper tops, tonneau covers, etc may have issues fitting.

ps: LONG BED PLS

 

Will the extang or backflip hard folding covers work with this system???

 

It should work better than the stock caps.

 

I think all that after market stuff will work better with this system than it does with the stock rails.