Aluminum extrusion bed rack

Hello all! This is my first post! I have a 2018 DCSB and I need help with a bedrack.

So I camp and kayak frequently and am tired of cramming things into ever nook and cranny to go on a trip. That being said I want to build a bed rack/cross bars out of aluminum extrusions. I like the Front Runner slimline 2 bedrack and the Yakima Bedrock HD with a cargo basket, but I want to build my own for more modularity in the future and to save cost (psst... not made of gold here). I've pretty much got the darn thing built in my head but cannot think of an easy way to attach it to the bed rails since it's not going to be permanent. It will only be put on in camping season for trips and my solid fold cover will be on the rest of the time.

Two criteria it must follow:
1. 2 kayaks must fit underneath it.
2. My gear must stay below the roof line and out of the wind. (Not even slightly considering a roof rack)

Has anyone ran across a page for one that was built or might have any suggestions? I've googled myself to death and am reaching out for help! See the attached images for reference.

Copyright of images is reserved to the original post I screenshotted

 

I was thinking of using the same thing:T-slots aluminum t-track. To attach I was going to use the rails on my Pace Edwards Ultragrove which is compatible with Thule and Yakima racks. In order to attach to that, my idea was to basically bend some light gauge steel to match the truck bed rails and hook it to the tie town tracks on the inside. It would be thin enough to go under the tonneau rails. the t-slots track would bolt to that. I have not drawn anything up yet but can picture it in my head.

 

@TacoManOne I like the idea! Post pictures if you nail down a thought. I have thought about bending some steel into 90deg angles for arms, but worry about weight distribution and my inability to be a blacksmith.

 

This is what I threw together for a temporary bed rack.

All it's made from is 1-5/8" x 1-5/8" unistrut with L-brackets bolting it to the bed rails using t-slot nuts. Those things and some nuts, bolts, and washers is all you need.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Superstrut...ctroplated-Half-Slot-Channel-Strut/1000192655

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Superstrut-1-2-in-Angled-Strut-Bracket/3278869

T Slot Nuts (6 Pack) for Toyota Bed Deck Rail, for Tacoma & Tundra Cleats, Tie Downs and Accessories, by Bolt Dropper.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BWV49BF/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Oh I really like this idea! @PcBuilder14 what are you attaching to them? Would a normal rooftop mounted accessories work or is the unistrut too thick? How strong are they?

 

Brilliant. Simple and highly effective.

 

I’m sold

 

That I'm unsure of. I used it to mount a rooftop tent to and had to buy some longer bolts due to the 1-5/8" thickness. As far as strength goes, they did just fine. My tent weighs 195lbs by itself and was still sturdy with 2 adults and a dog sleeping in it.

 

Welp, I was about to build the bedrack until I found a guy with a Facebook Marketplace deal I couldn't pass up on these Inno bed stays with crossbars. He said he had put cargo plus kayaks on top and traveled the country with them. Stay tuned to see if I go with a cargo basket or build a platform from aluminum extrusions.

 

How did these work out? Just ordered a set of the stays. Was thinking about using 1" aluminum extrusion as its cheaper than the bars.

 

If you are in South Texas, I have a set of bars and mounts you can have. I only ever carried mountain bikes on them (and weight weenie bikes at that) and they bounced too much for me to ever trust with anything heavier.

 

What brand and how much are you selling them for?

 

They are the Inno mounts and bars that the OP ended up with. They are "flexy" with mountain bikes. I kept a Yakima cargo rack on them on my 2nd Gen. Send me a PM if you are interested, I do not want to hijack the OPs thread. I do think that the person that posted the Unistrut/Superstrut is onto something. I have several of these tracks mounted in the ceiling of my garage and regularly hoist heavy loads from them.

 

If I was close to TX I would’ve grabbed em from you but I’m out in Cali. Got em off Amazon and just got my extrusion profiles today. Took it for a spin and didn’t rattle too much. I also sat in the center of the basket (I a good 320) and didn’t feel any flex. Any better attachment ideas?

 

i was always kind of fond of the cargo basket sitting on racks on the bed setup look like how the second and pic right above my post is showing.

 

Who makes the rails under the basket in this pic?

 

KB Voodoo

 

KB Voodoo as stated above but they are discontinued. I would love a set as well if they ever decided to sell them again. I did contact them and asked if they had any old stock but no dice =[

 

https://www.kbvoodoo.com/shop/heavy-duty-bed-brackets-fits-years-2005-2015

 

Well that explains why I can't find them on their site. Thanks.