Raised Bed Rack and Tonneau Cover Combo Using Integrated Track

Howdy folks! New Canadian member here.

I have a 2018 Tacoma TRD Sport with a 6ft bed and am looking to upgrade my bed with a tonneau cover as well as a roof rack.

I would like the rack tall enough and compatible with universal J-style kayak mounts so as to have enough clearance over the roof so the kayaks don't touch it. I would also like it to be compatible with a tonneau cover (doesn't need to fancy; roll-up or retractable).

The third part of this that I have having some troubles with is finding a combination that both mount to the integrated mounting track in the bed.

Any suggestions that wpuld meet all three criteria? Potentially from Canadian retailers? Thanks in advance!

 

All Max Modular bed racks are compatible with tonneau covers, and we ship to Canada every day: https://www.max-modular.com/toyota-tacoma-years-2005-to-present

 

I went with the Retrax XR cover and the Yakima bed rack. Works great so far.

 

The 18 inches RCI bed rack with tonneau adapters on top of the BAK Revolver X4s would do the job. I ordered all of this from Canadian retailers (AutoEQ and Overland Outfitters) to avoid high shipping costs and unreliable duty fees. Mine is the 12 inches version because I wanted it lower.

 

I’ve got the 10” Max Modular rack with their tonneau cover brackets and the factory tri fold tonneau cover.
Ideally I’d like a hard rolling tonneau cover so I could open it with the rack on the truck but this is still a great affordable solution that’s very theft resistant.

 

Hey @MTB_Tacoma - I wonder if I could thread hi-jack to get some more info on your setup?

I currently have the same RCI 12" rack with tonneau adaptors, I have a cheap tonneau that I tried to make work, but I'm looking to upgrade to the BAK Revolver X4s, the same setup you have.

My question is on the install; the RCI instructions aren't super detailed and mention that you should drill and bolt the rack if off-roading. I'm keen to see how you installed the tonneau adaptors and the X4s, did you simply use the X4s to clamp the RCI adaptors to the bed and not drill/bolt the rack? It would be amazing if you had some pictures off how this all comes together under the tonneau if you have them.

Currently my setup requires a frankenstein approach of using both the RCI tonneau adaptors plus the non-tonneau adaptor tacoma fitment kit to anchor the adaptors (and rack) to the bed rails. See below the first mount in the rail:

Also, bonus question; all your hardware for the RCI rack looks black, did it come like this or did you plastidip it or something? it looks awesome by the way!

 

To answer the bonus question, I had seen an install video where the guy painted the bolts before installing the rack. As I got the rack mounts before the truck, I had plenty of time to spray paint them (also spray painted the two aluminum plates in red so the RCI logo pops a bit).

Not sure I understand how you achieved to use the tonneau adapters with the anchors through the tonneau cover (you drilled holes in the cover?). Anyway, I first installed the rack without drilling, but as expected it shifted towards the rear about an inch after a month of use. I reinstalled the adapters with 3M tape (yes!) and it held pretty good for the last few months.

 

Ah thanks @MTB_Tacoma , this helps me a lot. You are right to assume; yes, I actually cut out various sections of my tonneau cover's side channel to make space for the combination of RCI mounts I used. I found this tonneau locally for something like $150CAD so was willing to give this plan ago... turns out it was a terrible plan, the tonneau is not well sealed at all. It also doesn't roll-up as the rolled up cover is just too wide and get's blocked by the RCI rack. I assume the X4s rolls up with no interference?

The shifting of the rack to the rear worries me, as does the note in the RCI instructions to say you should drill and bolt, but there are zero instructions on how to do this. I have to be honest, it's a little underwhelming that the tonneau adaptors aren't fabricated to still anchor to the factory rails, even in their relocated position. Do you know how any instructions for how/where to drill? I'm a little off-put by having to do this, but don't think using the X4s to clamp the rack would suffice for me, I have an iKamper Skycamp Mini sat on top!

Thanks for the note on the paint, I may give that ago as I'm likely headed a full disassemble/reassemble process for whatever I do! last question - what type of paint did you use? it looks a great.

 

Indeed, it rolls perfectly. This was the main reason I went with that combo. I was also concerned about drilling holes… We all know how rusty it can be in Canada, so I’d avoid unnecessary holes, although I’m sure you can put something there to prevent rust. There were no instructions on where to drill, but the options are pretty limited. If you aim precisely, you could drill to get out in between the plastic and the bed.

Not sure what’s the tolerance with the 3M tape, but it didn’t move 1mm even with two bikes on a 400km drive. I too would have preferred if they would have provided swirly brackets that could be bolted down in the rail. They don’t seem overly concerned with drilling and rust (generally with all their products). It’s just a bit special over here.

I used Wurth high solids enamel paint in satin black. And Dupli-Color perfect match barcelona red for the RCI plates.

 

Nice this is a big help, thanks, I think I'll give the paint a go.

 

Bringing this back. @MTB_Tacoma Those RCI adapters look really thin and blend nice with the cover. Are those straight from RCI and do you have them attached to the T-Slots in the bed? Also are you able to roll the the tonneau cover all the way? Thanks so much!

 

The adapters are two parts, there’s the part that raises the rack (sturdier) and the thin part that goes under the cover rails. It’s not attached to the bed rails, it’s just using the friction between the bed and the tonneau to hold on (unless you drill holes). Reading my earlier post, I remembered it had shifted a bit when I first installed it. Once I put the double sided tape, it never shifted a mm (with rack only, with bikes on the rack and even a 4,000km road trip with a tent on the rack). Double sided tape alone would never prevent anything that size to move, but combined with the adapters being squeezed between the tonneau and bed, it seems to do the job correctly.

 

Hello, is your bed rack mounts compatible with peragon tonneau?

 

Yep, Peragon even uses our racks in their advertising.

 

which brackets i will need to use?

 

Which one of our racks are you looking at?

 

I want something light , aluminium, 12" height, capable to handle 150 pounds on top in motion at least + nearly 600 lbs static
also i have a question do i need bed stiffeners?

 

This rack with the optional tonneau brackets will be 12.5" tall: https://www.max-modular.com/toyota-...sent-11/max-modular-10-high-aluminum-bed-rack

Rated Capacity is 350 lbs dynamic and 700 lbs static.

When ordering, select the optional tonneau brackets at the bottom of the page.

Bed stiffeners are not required.

 

Thank you, sir, will order it soon!