Factory Roof Rack and bed extender thoughts?

Yes I use the truck bed a lot to get my wilderness systems kayak on my thule rack.
It weighs about 48 lbs & is too heavy for me to hoist over my head without taking out a window or denting something
Also sometimes, the drop off areas are not flat with ruts etc. that adds to the loading adventure

 

Do you have the Thule bed rack (like the picture attached)?

Sorry we are hijacking the thread. Maybe the discussion belongs elsewhere.

 

This is exactly the set up I am looking at for a 2016 Limited. This rack is a beast.

 

No just the thule roof rack on my DC. My kayaks are under just shy of 11'
sorry to the op. Your system is pretty nice!

 

Factory roof rack is a not bad price considering how much aftermarket racks cost. I would probably get one. I like how they can go moved out of the way for better aerodynamics when not in use.

 

My thoughts:
-Factory or dealer installed options are usually significantly more expensive than after market
-A long bed costs less than a bed extender from the dealer

 

A long bed won't fit in my garage. and you can get a bed extender for about $200, on ebay.

 

I have 2 heavy hobie mirage Revo 13's that fit side by side flat in the bed of my 08 Tundra. I want to be able to put both of these in the bed of a new Tacoma. They will have to sit on some sort of platform in the bed higher than the wheel wells to fit.

Any ideas?

 

Build a platform out of wood and paint it.

 

Maybe check out @KB Voodoo heavy duty bed bars. He's made some great products for bed cargo management

 

I just got a 2015 DCSB and purchased the bed Toyota OEM bed extender from

$278 Toyota Bed Extender

Amazon for $217. It comes with very clear directions and even a paper templates to cut out to line up the 3 holes you need to drill on each side. The tail lights have to be removed (2 bolts on each) so you can get to the inside of the d pillar. I do a lot of various car projects so this was a no brainer for DIY to me. However, I will admit that having only had my new truck for 5 days, I was slightly hesitant drilling the first hole. The install took me about 40 minutes and that included cutting out the templates and measuring SEVERAL times before center punching the hole locations.

Hope this helps,
Dale

 

Thanks for the info on the install. I was wondering how it attached.

 

Just took a few pics for reference





Dale

 

Oh yeah... I want one... Thank you for sharing the photos!

 

The Thule height adjustable racks are very popular. You don't want those? Another popular option if you don't want something permanent is the tow hitch extender. Not sure if they have one wide enough for two. Pics of both attached.

 

The other good part about the factory roof rack is you won't end up messing up the paint on your roof like third party racks can do. Really, $300 is not bad for a warrantied rack that looks good and has the ability to switch the direction of the crossbars for better aerodynamics.

 

But it's fugly.

 

Do you guys not recommend the Thule Sportster 500? It's the one I am thinking of buying for kayaks.

 

So the bed extender isn't on a built-in rail system? My brother has an 07 Frontier and the rail system is where the bed extender resides, allowing you to put it anywhere on the rail. Works great and doubles as a cargo divider since you can move it all the way to the front of the bed near the cab and put groceries or whatever there.

 

No it is not on the rail system in the bed. I see the positive (i think) in having it movable, but I'm either using it or not. No need for me, personally, to move it. I had a 2001 Frontier with an extender ( no rails ) so I'm used to having it not 'adjustable'. I just use it for extending the bed.

Dale