Fabricating my own bed rack

Not sure if this is the right place but hopefully it will catch someone's eye with experience.

I have a 2007 Tacoma, access cab, V6 SR5.

I've been looking for a bed rack, but am finding that the designs I like are a bit out of my price range. I have the equipment to fabricate my own and am looking for some tips, or just things I may be over looking before I take on this endeavor.

My goal is to build something along the lines of the All-Pro Expedition series, but above cab height. link: Ideally, I want it to fit with the track system, something I can attach and take of as need be.

Anyway, im working up a sketchup design now, and was hoping someone might have some advice. Thanks in advance!

 

Fellow fabricator here myself.

Ive not wanted a rack, but have watched a few be built on the internet.

I always wondered why most people use such heavy iron.

If I was gonna build one, I would use thin wall conduit. I would make pattern for the hoops out of stiff wire, then give the pattern to my electrician friends with a case of beer. They would do the bends for you douring their break. You would have most of the work done for you for cheap.

 

Conduit isnt a bad idea, just not sure if it would be capable of the load weight. I think I'll use steel, and I have the capability to bend schedule 40 pipe, still thinking of the best materials to use though for sure.

 

Hrew tubing with be the best material
To use. Dom isn't needed and cromo would be too expensive. Conduit is for wires and pipe is for fluids and gases

 

Just use 4 hoops instead of 3. As cheap as that stuff is I want to try it.

1 1/2" conduit is pretty stout. I've walked all over it so I have an idea what it can stand.

Any ways. Looking forward to what you end up with. You and I both know there isn't $100 worth of material in one of those racks. The cost is 95 percent labor.

 

What is your point? A person can use what ever they want.

 

Materials to build a rack runs about 150-200. I've built about a dozen

 

If you are spending that kind of money, your supplier is bending you over, especially if you are buying in bulk.

 

I was a profesion fabricator now I work in the electrical field. My point is if you want to build a quality rack conduit or pipe isn't the answer. If you have the tools why start with sub par materials. Especially when it isn't gonna save you money. Emt is galvanized and no mater how much you clean it, it's still gonna weld like crap.

 

Not at all. I've done this for a long time and use good materials. No angle iron or conduit on my racks. Cold rolled steel and 1.75" tubing.

 

I guess if a person wanted TIG weld quality, then EMT is not the way to go.

If a person wants cheap then go EMT.

I agree, you can't get as good looking welds on EMT, but the stuff is getting painted anyways, so who gives a shit?

 

Thanks for the tips on materials! I'll probably go with the steel tubing. I'm most comfortable welding it, and know it'll last. Do you have any advice for making sure it fits the track system, or a product that I can buy and weld to?

 

I think that you're not taking physics into account. Sure conduit will be able to hold a RTT up and probably even you sleeping in a RTT but when you add more force such as off roading the extra force will cause the conduit to collapse.

Making a bed rack for anything other than looks out of conduit is a really bad idea.

 

I just looked at some receipts. I had about $140 into this rack.






And $170 into this one.

 

id recomend just mocking it up on your truck if your just building one of them. When you take it off to weld it, move around and weld sections on each tube that will counteract the pulling caused by the other tube you just welded. You can get the t-slot 3/8" nuts on Amazon

 

Perfect, Thank you!

I'll be sure to post what I come up with.

 

Im looking to build one of these with your help if your interested. Glorified welder

 

What can I help you with ?

 

Where to buy the steel pipe and need help to bend.