Custom Bedrack + Tonneau (Bakflip MX4) Build

Hey all, just wanted to share a custom build that I did on my truck, as I think many had the same wants out of stuff that wasn't in the market.

Basically I wanted a bedrack solution that could do the following:
1) Keep my bakflip tonneau water tight
2) be low-profile / removable when not in use
3) carry 2 bikes on bed without affecting tonneau operation
4) carry a rooftop tent and up to two bikes

There wasn't anything on the market that satisfied all this, so I called up this local fab guy and designed something up.

Basic concept is two side bedrails that have three different crossbars that are removable. One with bike mounts, and two raised ones for a rooftop tent. After taking this thing camping a few times I can't even say how happy I am with it, and how it meets all the needs.

Below are some pics of it in a bunch of configurations. If anyone is interested in learning more about it / possibly having one fab'd up, feel free to send me a message!!

Everyday look, just bedrails


Another every day look


Dual bike rig setup- I actually ended up making this bar flat across, and I leave it on 100% of the time (always carrying bikes), though it is removable. This is basically my personal "every day"


Fully loaded with a bike, awning and rooftop tent ready for a trip! Took it offroading like this


Full tent / awning deployed- scenic background

Another shot- different angle- of the tent / awning to show the tonneau, works as a great little shelf for the kitchen

So stoked at how this turned out. Checked alllll my boxes! Hope you all enjoy!

 

Update:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/custom-bedrack-tonneau-bakflip-mx4-build.562458/

 

Have you ever thought about making some taller legs for the awning so it sits higher at the truck side? Looks great though. Do you have dimensions that you'd be willing to share for the side rails and the cross members you have? Or is this a store bought kit somewhere?

 

Where you at in Utah? I live in Southern Idaho (Twin Falls area).

 

The kit was a custom built kit with me and my buddy- don't really have dimensions but he was able to jig it all up to make it easy for the future.
Thanks for the suggestions! Yeah I had considered making it taller, but wanted the tent to sit as flush as possible with the cab so it was kind of a compromise. Since we are mainly sitting under the awning anyways (living room ) it works out well. Can really make it however you'd like though off the siderails- that's the beauty of the system.
I'm located in SLC, and the guy who fab'd it for me is as well. Shoot me a PM if you're interested and I can put you in contact with him.

 

This is a great and simple set up. What tent/awning are you using? How is the awning mounted? Is it part of/attached to the tent or separate?

 

Thanks dude! I'm using the Smittybuilt 2P tent, and Smittybuilt awning.
Awning is mounted on the 45deg risers leading up to the crossbars (part of the bar). I chose to mount it to these just because I had no mounting brackets for the awning (local classifieds find) but it had flexibility to mount a number of different ways.
It is mounted separately from the tent (sometimes we don't bring it).

 

Nice. How do you like the tent? So many choices on RTT's these days. I love that you can easily remove it. That's a key feature I'm looking for as well.

Hard to see from the last photo you posted but I'm assuming when you have the RTT on or deployed, that the tonneau is closed completely. Assuming that, is it challenging to get to gear towards the front of the bed? Maybe I have that all wrong.

Sending PM for details!

 

LOVE the tent- its so simple and the price was oh-so-right. Didn't need the brand name
Yes when the tent is on the tonneau is closed and can really just tilt the last part open. For gear in the bed I just keep it all in big totes and its easy to pull/push it all in and out. Haven't had any issues yet
Keeping it locked up is definitely my preference haha.

 

That’s awesome! I just got my truck but this is something along the lines of what I’d like to do when I get my backflip. Nice idea!

 

Thanks dude! Glad to give some ideas

Update: Took it for another adventure this weekend, performed flawlessly, absolutely in love with this setup

 

How did you attaché the bed rails to your truck? Did you use the rail system? If you could share some up close pictures I would appreciate it.

 

Definitely would like to know as well. I have a Bakflip MX4 and am wanting/needing to put a rack up as well as keep the cover able to open. I think this with some vertical bars would work out well.

 

I'd like to know more as well. Could you give us specs on the rack? Where you had it fabricated? Etc.

 

I too am interested in how the rails are attached to the truck...

 

I would as well, would like to find something to replace my current set up and work well with my cover.

 

Looks so great man! Is there anyway you can message me more details on it? Have the same exact tonneau cover and want to configure a way to have a bed rack without impacting the cover if possible!

 

I second the last post. I would love to either purchase the specs from you for my machinist, or just purchase a finished product. There is nothing out there that seems to work with this type of BakFlip. Cheers!

 

shame i didn't see this thread earlier... been looking like a madman the last 2weeks for something exactly like this

i just ordered a set of L-tracks, which are meant for tying down snow mobiles and what not down, and to bolt onto the sides of the bed, that way i have a similar adjustability as something like the Yakima bed racks people put together. see the quoted post down bellow
Amazoom link for the tacks i was planning on getting and just building/ bolting plain tube crossbars onto the

$22 Bonberland Threaded Double Stud Fitting, L-Track Stud Fitting Kit w/Swivel Plate - 2 Pack

hardware adapter for them.

i've seen some yakima builds such as this
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bed-rack-idea.143789/page-3#post-6816887
and
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ifold-tanou-cover.417005/page-2#post-12224056
but the price for that build is ballpark $600 CAD, that's without the crossbars. Also not sure how much weight it will hold up...

 

Thanks for the info on this. Those look very interesting, but also very similar to what is out there. With the BakFlip I have, the rails for the Tonneau are relocated, so it makes it a challenge to: 1. properly fit any attachments currently manufactured (without losing tight seal), and 2. have the rails out of the way in order to still access the bed by flipping the Tonneau sections up. I know I am asking for something very specific, but this particular build by OP is ideally what I am looking for. Adding cross rails that are easily attachable/removable would make this perfect for my situation with my truck also being my DD.

This thread has some good ideas, and I particularly like #11's custom job:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/secure-lockable-tonneau-rtt-bed-rack.536548/

Max Modular has an interesting solution that includes raised brackets for my situation with the BakFlip, but I'm waiting to hear back from a few owners/operators on that particular style. I just think it's a lot of weight to be loading onto an L-bracket and a bolt.