Testers Wanted For NEW Bed Rack System

I'm in the Covina area and would be willing to drive up for a inspection. I have a 2017 Tacoma TRD OFF-ROAD shirt bed with rails available, let me know thanks.

 

I’m in Visalia Ca definitely interested I got a Tacoma 2016 sr
Toyotagus@icloud.com

 

Does ANYONE have a Retrax cover on their 3rd gen in the San Luis Obispo Area?

 

Will it work with a soft top? If so, I’m in Fresno/Clovis and will put it through its paces!

 

No I need someone with a Retrax that is already installed and not modified so I can take a look at it. I have a Retrax still in the box but it is not installed. I guess I'll just have to put it on if I can't find anyone.

Thanks.

 

All these words and no pictures?

 

Pictures of???????? What are there supposed to be pics of?

 

Whatever it is you’re trying to find “testers” for.....

 

I’m in SoCal with a. Retrax RX pro series. PM me if interested

 

If i had to guess, he's working on a new rack system that is compatible with retractable and roll-up tonneau covers. Strangely enough, there aren't many options with that specific capability, so I'm very curious to see what he comes up with.

 

Picture of the prototype. It is to heavy duty. The option WILL be available in the end but still working on a lighter steel for the brackets in 1/8th"

 

Looks like it might also work with my diamondback cover .

 

Looks RTT capable , any load tests?

 

How thick are those brackets! Look tall... easy to torque under weight

 

Center load test on the bar was over 1,000 lbs. That was on 1 bar with less than 1/4" deflection. Very capable. Maybe a little over kill though.

 

So after some testing, the current system did not work with a RTT. We are redoing the design and moving the slots and holes up to make the bar flush with the top of the bracket. That will resolve that issue.

As far as it being tall and whether there was any flex? The answer is no. These are made of 3/16" steel. We are going to go to a 1/8th" steel to reduce the weight. We tested another prototype using 1/8th" steel and that seems to be the best to use for this application. Thin enough to use with a bed cover but strong enough to withstand any flex.

We are also developing a set using steel cross bars but that is still in design at the moment.

It will be a couple of weeks till we have the next prototype out for testing but as soon as we get there I will update this thread.

Thanks,

 

Just out of curiosity, why not use standard 80/20 aluminum bars instead of custom steel for the crossbars?

Example:
https://8020.net/1515-black.html

 

Look at the picture. It IS aluminum. I am going to offer it in steel as well to be able and offer it at a lower price point for those that want it. If you want a custom piece of aluminum you can order it. These bars are 2 1/2 x 3 1/2” extruded 6 t-slot aluminum. All 30 lbs of them.

 

Sounds good.

One word of caution: A lot of bike mounts and other rack-mountable equipment are not compatible with bars that are too high or too wide. My Yakima Frontloader bike mount didn't even work with 1.5" x 1.5" 80/20 bars without major modifications to the parts that wrap around the bars (I had to cut out a lot of the plastic to make it work).

The market could really use more options that work with tonneau covers so I wish you the best with your project!

PS: Try to come up with something that distinguishes your design from the KBVoodoo and Mobtown Offroad offerings. More side-mounting options, perhaps?

 

Agreed... I am watching this as an option for bikes over a tonneau while still towing my small pop up.