Truck Topper Ideas

My truck topper doesn't have the sliding tracks..Would like to add them and get cross bars to haul kayaks around. Anyone got a nice setup. Looking for ideas and not trying to break the bank.

 

I put Thule rails, towers, and bars on my old topper as well as on my car. Good system and pretty easy to install.

 

You got any pics? Or links? Thxs!

 

So for tracks, you can order them from wherever really... thule or yakima branded, same as near as I can tell and both universal to each other. You could stop into your local REI and purchase them there and have the tracks installed if you don't want to drill. You could go to any cap dealer and buy the tracks from them and again, have them installed there (but I bet they'll charge you a small fortune) or just install yourself.

Yakima and Thule sites both have info on install... Here is Yakima:





In addition to REI, check Amazon on price as well as https://www.rackattack.com/ (rackattack usually is the cheapest online). Amazon might be a bit more but prime shipping if you have prime membership.

 

I just took a roof rack off a 2001 Escape to put on my camper shell. $25 from a Pick n Pull. There was several to choose from. The Eacapes have a flat rail, two cross bars, and 5 Phillips head bolts holding each side on. Took about 10 minutes to pull it off. I’m gonna clean, paint, and install it this weekend.

 

I got the Yakima rails, towers, and round crossbars. Plenty of room for a frontrunner rack, cargo box, and DIY awning. Paid way too much for them since I got them new- would recommend CL or a pick n pull to save cash.

 

You can add fake rain gutters to the side and get the old style rack cheep.
https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Thule/TH542.html

 

If you have 2nd or 3rd gen you can get ditch mounted tracks for the cab so you can carry even longer items safely. They're made for double cabs but I was able to fit them to my AC. Rhino RTS.

 

I just wish I could find a topper for mine period!! Been looking for 11 years and still can’t find one

 

good idea

 

@Hotdog11 Im interested in seeing that. Let us know how that goes.

 

Will do. I had to unexpectedly replace my garage door opener. That’s a bigger project than I expected. It took me about 8hrs to do it (I’m sure if I knew what I was doing it’d go faster)...anyhow, that delayed getting the rack on my topper. Hopefully I’ll get it installed tomorrow or Monday.

 

Great thread, I am actually an installer of tracks on canopies and in the ditch of vehicles. Have access to Rhino, Thule and Yakima........PM with any questions you may have.

 

This took me way longer than it should have, but what can I say, sometimes life gets in the way of our hobbies. Anyhow, the rack is on the truck, below is a few pics and a quick video if anyone cares.

https://youtu.be/ZPQjjN6Rn1Y







Sorry, but it’s dirty in this pic. I’m also going to redo the clear coat on my camper shell.

 

Whats the width of the rack?

 

40.5”

My topper has a raised portion that gets narrower as it goes forward. If mine was completely flat there was a plethora of other racks that would’ve worked. Everything from minivans, to jeeps, to Subaru’s, tons of options. My topper narrows to about 40”, so I do have a 1/4” overhang on both sides near the front.