Can't Use Your Bed-Rail Cleats with Your Camper Shell?

(Update on June 25, 2011: see post #23 below...I've seen the error of my ways and now understand how to use the cleats!)


When I had my A.R.E. camper shell installed (CX series), I was unable to use my Toyota adjustable bed-rail tiedown cleats (the lip of the shell blocked the track). Solution?

I went to the A.R.E. dealer and ordered six bed-rail blocks (they are the small aluminum blocks that slide into the end of the rail, for fastening the clamps that hold the shell on). He said they'd be about $1.00 each, but ended up finding six spares in the warehouse, so he gave them to me free! (I ordered six so that I've have two for each rail).

Then I went to Lowe's hardware section and bought six eye bolts. The aluminum blocks are already threaded, so I bought Stanley stainless steel eye bolts, 5/16" x 3 1/4". The threads on the bolts fit the threads on the blocks. I then removed one plastic end cap from each rail (they just pull off the end of the rail, lengthwise). Slide the blocks into the rail, replace the plastic cap, and screw an eye-bolt into each block (don't overtighten or you'll distort the track). Voila!

The stainless steel bolts are more expensive than the regular ones, but will handle 130# safe working load each. The blocks for the front rail install as described above, but to get the blocks into the side rails, you'll first need to remove and replace the rear clamp on each side, since the clamp has its own block in the track. Once you have the blocks installed, you can either keep the eye-bolts in the blocks, or keep them in the cab and only install them when needed.

 

How about some pics of said blocks?

 

Post some pics! I was able to use the OEM cleats with the MX series, maybe they're a different mounting system?

 

If you have an A.R.E. shell, just look at the clamps holding the shell down on the truck. The block is the silver-colored piece, inside the track, that the clamp is screwed into. The block is about 1 1/4" inches long and is shaped like the inside of the track.

 

The lip of the shell covers the top edge of the rail, so that you can't insert the Toyota cleat. You can see three of the blocks...one under the clamp and one under each eye bolt.

 

You can insert cleats at any point of the rail. There are notches on the rail just for that.

 

my leer shell has clamps for the shell that still allow use of the rails. ill get pics later

 

x2, that's how I got mine on there. Your rail doesn't look to hang down any lower than mine. They take a little work to get the cleats on and off but they're functional with the cap in place.

 

What year did you purchase your A.R.E. CX series shell?

 

What year did you purchase your CX series A.R.E. shell? I ask because I've read posts by other owners of 2011 models who couldn't install the cleats. Does your rail have the notches that BlueT mentioned?

 

Not a clue, mine's an MX series and I bought it last year off a member here. He had it on a '05 or '06. He bought the truck used so neither of us know how old it is.

The notches in are in the rail system, not the ARE shell.

 

Here's another view of the shell. You can see how the lip covers the top edge of the rail. When I unscrew the cleat all the way, the upper part is not long enough to go into the rail, plus the cleat is cocked at an angle.

 

Well actually, I was having trouble with a 2011 Tacoma and a 2011 CX series. My rail has no notches, so we're talking apples and oranges.

 

Looks like an easy fix. Just trim the lower edge of the cap where it rolls over the inside edge of the bed to make clearance for the cleats. That much lip hanging down isn't needed.

 

No problem with the Snugtop XV.

 

not a problem with my CX series, i have 4 mounting points that have holes to the center of the track and the topper connects at those four points (just like post #3). came off a topper purchased in 2009, maybe you have the old design.

 

Mine was purchased new from the factory two months ago...yours is two years older than mine. Post #3 says they have an MX series top, not CX.

 

We have the same bed rail system in our trucks, no apples and oranges. There are notches in your bed rail. Slide the cleats down the bed rail and you'll feel them set in place at the notches. Mine covers the top edge of the rail also but I'm still able to use the cleats. If you unscrew the cleat all the way, turn it sideways to insert the metal clip then twist and it'll clip into the rail system and straighten out when you tighten it. If you've found an alternative that works, power to ya, just trying to show you that it is possible to use the stock cleats with the cap. It's not a perfect fit but it works.

 

The lip on your cap looks nothing like mine. I don't think you have a 2011 CX series cap. See the photo with post #6 above. My cap is held on with a five-piece clamp.