Looking for advice on lumber rack + locking bed cover...

I'm looking to install a lumber rack on my '09 DC so I can install a Maggiolina roof top tent over the bed. I also want to be able to cover the bed and lock it. I was looking at the Thule XSporter, but I think the way they mount prevents any bed cover from being used. Does anyone have any rack/cover combinations they can suggest? I realize the cover will probably have to be a soft rolling cover and I'm okay with that.

I currently have a Fold-a-Cover installed, which I like, but am willing to give it up so I can get a Maggiolina mounted up for road trips.

Thanks!
Matt

 

I think the Thule wouldn't be able to handle the weight of an RTT + people up there. You're probably going to need to go custom, like this long bed version from ATO:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/armor-tech-offroad/220882-bed-rack.html

 

This ^^^

or switch up your plan and get a commercial cap like the Leer RCC which has a rack system rated at 400lbs and mount the RTT to that

 

Good call, I didn't think about the tent weight + people. Thanks.

 

That would definitely give me the combination of tent and security I'm looking for. But I used to have a cap and didn't like how it impeded my view out the rear.

The XSporter has a rating of 450lbs, so it actually is more than the 400lbs for cap you referenced. I have seen people mount them to these though. Are there higher capacity models?

The tent is 130lbs, my girlfriend is about 115lbs and I'm 175lbs, so that totals to 420lbs. I think the XSporter would spec-wise do the job, but without much margin.

 

I have an ARB mounted on a Thule Xsporter rack and it works great. There is no way to cover the bed as the rack mounts to the track system inside the bed. I'm buying a camper shell in the fall and doing away with the rack. I'm planning on getting one of the maggiolina RTTs next.

 

Thanks Enzo. I'm actually still debating whether the cost of the Maggiolina something I want to spring for right now. But if I can get the setup I want I think it will be worth it. I am also considering the tents at http://cartopcamper.com which are WAY cheaper. If I went that route, I would just get their bed mounting system but I don't think I could cover the bed with that either.

 

Keep in mind the weight rating is not a static rating, it allows for (or at least had better) dynamic forces when driving, such as acceleration, braking, cornering, wind force, bumps and swells in the road... The list goes on. Keep things from getting too wild inside the tent and I'd think you'd be OK.

 

lol

 

Was just talking to ORS and heard that TracRac is much better than the XSporter. Rated at 800lbs and cheaper. Not looking good for getting the bed covered without going with a cap though.

 

I can confirm that this will work too.

 

OP - we have had this discussion about racks in the Kayak thread starting here http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/sp...-kayaking-canoeing-thread-14.html#post4633393 and going on for a couple pages.

here specifically http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/sp...-kayaking-canoeing-thread-16.html#post4754362

When I was researching I saw no racks that would allow for a bed cover.

That said Tracrack makes the strongest (highest rated), cheapest, most widely used rack by contractors on the market. I ended up getting one from Lowes for $299 and another $70 for mounting hardware. It is rated to 800# and has no issues holding a tent full of people.

Thule and Tracrack are the same company, but as you will see with research one is focused on weekend warriors and one on contractors.

 

Heres a few pics lol.

 

Thanks for this info. That's an awesome price. I am seeing that Lowes doesn't carry them anymore. The guy at ORS was telling me that TracRac used to make a rack/tonneau in the G2 sliding system, but that when Thule bought them they discontinued it. They still had some old stock but the G2 sliding system doesn't work with my truck.

 

Sweet. Thanks for the pics Enzo. Any thoughts on the ARB vs the tent from cartopcamper.com? Do you notice the wind noise from the tent up there? I'm planning on taking some long road trips across Colorado so lots of highway miles.

 

Good way to eliminate the competition. I know the prices of the TracRacs are creeping up and that Lowes was just selling off their old stock without getting restock.

 

I am sure you are right!!

 

I have never heard of the cartopcamper until now. Most of these tents are made in a factory in china. Some are made cheaper than others but they all work pretty well for what most people use them for. I'm going Maggiolina sometime soon. This will be my 3rd RTT. Nothing wrong with the ARB but I like to change things up from time to time. As far as noise goes, I don't hear any going down the road.

 

Thanks Enzo. I since had a conversation with Chris at cartopcamper, and according to him, they are made in the exact same factory as the ARBs. The one thing that has me slightly concerned about getting one are a few reports about how they handle high winds. It gets pretty gnarly here in Colorado sometimes. Do you have any experience with this?

Everyone says the Maggiolinas do great in wind. But I checked one out yesterday and they are bigger than I realized. Not sure how one would look mounted at cab height over the bed of my DC Taco.

Edit: Enzo, I just realized you have a DCSB as well. How are you planning on mounting your Maggiolina?