tonneau cover Information overload ~ no deck rail system

Team, newbie here, was looking at bedcovers but discovered that I needed to install deck rail system first, again NEWBIE! I was informed by local dealer the OEM bedcovers were discontinued, so is third party the only option, also what’s up with the trucks not coming with the deck rail system? I found the cleats behind the back seat.

 

Take a picture of your bed. The only rail that isn’t installed on these trucks should be the rail below the rear windows. But that isn’t necessary to install a bed cover

 

Anchovy is exactly right, you should have the rails already unless the PO removed them for some weird reason. Also you don’t want the OEM cover anyway, bulky and requires cut bed rail covers. Aftermarket has much better solutions, Bakflip MX4 and Lomax being popular choices

 

Yeah, looks like somebody took off your rails. That’s not nice

 

Anchovy, good info (Bakflip MX4 and Lomax) BUT what's up with the deck rail system for 2021 Tacoma (short)? appearently this is why mine are missing. Called 5 local dealers (NONE!), Amazon, eBay (NONE!), local junkyards (NONE!), Thought I got lucky on Toyota online parts, called before I pushed the button and they confirm it was for a Tundra even though I put in specs for 2021 Tacoma Short. HELP TEAM !!!

 

The rails were either snagged, OR they were never put back on if/when the bed was replaced.

I've seen people use unistrut to add rails to trucks that come without them (going back to first gens, and maybe some second gens? Not sure on the second gen thing). The "Genuine tacoma" part will have the slots exactly where needed and will fit with accessories (like your cleats, and tonneaus) as expected.

A home bodge job can be done for 30-40$, with unistrut/other similar off-the-shelf solutions.

Amazon has the short bed side rails for 60/piece, 120$ total, shipped to the door, with hardware, without a headache. I don't like to recommend dumping money into a thing, but I would probably fork up the 120$ if I were in your shoes (Unless this is a recent purchase from a dealership, in which case, I would be calling my sales guy asking WTF).

$62 Genuine Toyota Accessories PT278-35100-SB Short Truck Bed Side Rail, Black

https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-Genui...Short/dp/B00DPIF1EE?smid=A16OVF05M5A76J&gQT=2

 

That makes no sense. There can’t be more trucks than rails.

 

Thanks Garlic, I was all over your Amazon link, but unfortunately they only have one left, CRAZY!!!

eBay com'n MAN !!!

Genuine Toyota Bed Rails - 5.5' Bed

$209 PT278-34071 Deck Rail System

PT278-34071
$344.24

For $344.24 I will walk to Home Depot in 3 feet of snow with drill and blow touch in hand, NO F'ing WAY !!!