2 gen tacome rack ideas

Hello Everyone
I'm just signed up at TW. I own 2019 Tacoma single cab, 6'2" bed! and am looking for ideas that will enable me to travel light, possibility tent rack system. Just interested in whats available, all the great ideas out there. Ill know whats right for me when I see it.
Thanks Edward

 

are you looking for a a bed rack system then?

 

I almost went for the VOODOO system because of the light aluminum option and the modularity of the whole thing, I would check out there products.

https://www.max-modular.com/shop-max-modular/max-modular-18-high-toyota-tacoma-bed-rack

Has anyone had a bad experience with these?

 

Get an @SOS CONCEPTS Aluminum Bed Rack. I just installed mine and will be putting my RTT on top of it this weekend.

 

@ovrlndkull and @Schwartz can help you out.

 

Soft top, sleeping bag and insulated pad. ✅

 

Yea I had a bad experience! Chad wasn't the best to deal with powder coat issues galore, ended up selling and trying a few other alternatives, unfortunately. It was lighter than my current steel one now though!!

 

So I would suggest digging around on a bunch of the build threads. Rick posted one of ours that goes over the softopper but we offer 2 others as well. There are many styles and things guys have done. Like really low bars and tent inside, just on bars, bars with mounts for things like hi-lift jack.

 

This setup is awesome for camping! throw a nice mat down in the back with a few pillows and you're golden! Especially with a long bed!

FIFY! I can only provide suggestions!

I've done the RTT, sometimes miss it sometimes dont. Ive done the sleep in the back with the softopper and rack. I've done the roof rack arb camping room awning thing, that was probably the coziest, mucho space and cots setup. They all have their pros and cons.

Of all of them the one that works best for me is the softopper and sleeping in the bed of the truck! But not having a double cab you need the bed space more for things!!

RTT is probably going to be your best route without the cab space and need of bed space! You can do that with either a rack or a set of bed bars. Bed bars are a cheap option if your not looking to keep the bed covered. If you need gear protection a few make bars that work with tonneaus as well.

 

The RTT Can definitely be frustrating at times but it's also so good once it's set up... Glamping for sure

 

I had lower bed bars and the RTT under the Softopper. Hated it, plus couldn't see out the back window. Keep that in mind as well

 

The profit margins on racks are insanity. You can literally buy a $300 110v welder, mask, gloves a grinder with a cut off wheel, spray paint, steel tube, and hardware and still be well under the price that most places charge for a rack.

$40 in steel and an afternoon's time:

 

Yeah it would be very easy to DIY. I feel like the manufactured ones are a lot lighter tho..

 

Damn, that sounds simple enough!

 

You forget there are some that don't have the time, patience, or skill to learn to weld. Also some people's time is a lot more valuable to them rather than taking on certain projects to save a few bucks. Can you do that yeah. For someone learning I suggest getting/making a bunch of practice cards and do all the different joints, same with tubing. Also work on making sure your penetration is good. There is a cost to that but in the end it's a good skill to have. Personally I'd spend a few more bucks and get a better machine that can go up to 220. You can always turn a welder down you can't always crank a weak one up high enough. Also gas definitely recc. gas. I enjoy seeing some of the custom stuff that people come up with. Can't say that doesn't give us manufacturers ideas and feedback on what people are looking for.

I am all for the DIYers (this is why we have a WIY bumpers)but I think that people need to have a good scope of all that's involved to get something that looks like some of the manufacturers products. Take our new modular style rack. Everything was cut on a CNC plasma, we have a MOLLE style Panel on the sides w/rotopax attachments already, Everything is made out of sheet good then we have a CNC break that bends it all. Not many DIYers have access to that kind of equipment to make something like that. It can be done with a grinder, a swag offroad break, some drill bits, a jigsaw w/metal cutting blades, etc. But that's far more than a weekends worth of work. Oh and if you choose our aluminum version you need a welding rig capable of either running a spool gun or a TIG capable of AC.

 

OP, please know the suspension limitations of your truck since it's a 5 lug Tacoma. 5-lug tacomas have rear suspension under axle which limits the amount of lift and options versus suspension over axle of 6-lug tacomas. Welcome to TW!