Got a bed rack! Heavy Metal offroad

I mean. I did not build the rack; so i am just guessing based on theory. I havent stayed at a Holiday Inn Express; but i am an engineer. Lol

 

See your more qualified than my dumb ass. Maybe that’s why I work in public education.

 

The weight is carried mostly by the top of the bed sides with likely some being transfered to the rails if the plastic caps compress much. But what is held by the rails is minimal. That's mostly just to hold the rack in place.

The size of the steel tubing used, the bed sides aren't going to flex. I can sit on one end of this rack and nothing, doesn't spread nothing. I'm 300lbs.

Part of why I like it, it's bent steel tubing, not bolt together or anything else. Tough as hell.

And weight on top of it, 175ish lbs with racks and kayaks.

But I am likely putting bed stiffeners in soon, for several reasons. Mainly that even though the rack will help keep the sides rigid when empty, they apparently still tend to Crack eventually.

 

I was hunting for a thread on bed stiffeners for a similar reason/question and found this. I've "heard" that some setups can start to push out the bed sides. I'll be using a diamondback cover on a Tacoma shortbed with front runner rails mounted to it to carry an RTT. So that's a good 500 lbs with tent, 2 adults and good size dog! Theoretically the weight may be distributed on all bed sides, not just the left and right. But better safe?

 

Except there is nothing but the bed sides supporting the rear. That's where the cracks in the steel support happens (did a fair amount for research). Looking around underneath I was surprised to see how little steel is supporting the bed. Can see why bed stiffeners are a major thing when loading like we do.

 

Ah, right! The tailgate is just hanging out for the ride. Bed stiffeners are on the list!

 

Ok got bed stiffeners in.

 

I’ll be getting a set of these HMOR bars and bed stiffeners very soon! Looking forward to that!

 

I really like this setup. The bars look like they could be removed fairly quickly by thieves. Is there anyway to lock these down?