$50 Bed Rack for RTT

I had a last minute camping trip pop up. I needed to mount my RTT. So I came up with a quick and dirty solution. I wanted to keep use of my cover and have the bars easily removable.
I went to Lowe’s and got a 10’ section of Unistrut, a few 2’ sections and some strut nuts. I used some flat stock to make mounting plates.
Had to make them kinda S bend under the cover rail.



I didn’t want it to just be square, so I added the angle just for looks. And welded it all together.

It’s amazing how good a grinder and hammer coat paint makes my welds look.


It supports the tent great and doesn’t look bad at all. Plus the cover can be rolled up easily and protects my gear while going down the road.




Very happy with how they turned out. Plus I made sure the mounts can double as a tie down point when the rack isn’t installed. Will have a part two coming for a crazy idea I have.

 

That looks like a sweet garage. It's even insulated!

 

Thanks, two bays and an apartment. I have been blessed, now I just need to keep it cleaned up

 

Ok, another a 5 hour trip to camp, the rack has held up well. I’m very happy with the setup and being able to use tailgate at kind of a porch (long bed for the win). This trip was just to a camp ground for star gazing, but the rack did it’s job perfectly.

 

Do you have any better pictures of the s bracket? I am not seeing what is limiting fore aft movement of the uprights. ?? Looks great, the idea had crossed my mind but I couldn't visualize the end design. You the man!

 

It was a rushed design and I just bolted them down REALLY tight. I’m going to weld some bottom plates to make it even more durable. We drove an 8 hour round trip and even after my wife and I sleeping in the tent, nothing moved. The way it clamps to the base of the tent made it even stronger. I’m going to up date on here in a few weeks, have more ideas.

 

Similar to mine - I didn't make mine useable with the tonneau though.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-road-trips-build.712648/page-3#post-27711554

Unistrut and clamps across the bed, tent sits flat on the bed rails.

If I had to do it again, I'd use unistrut cut wider across the bed rails, and use the toolbox tie down bolts instead.

$19 DEWHEL Tool Box Tie Downs Aluminum J Hook Crossover Toolbox Pickup Pair (4 PCS, Red)

https://www.amazon.com/DEWHEL-Alumi...&sprefix=toolbox+tie+down+,aps,78&sr=8-9&th=1