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$50 Bed Rack for RTT

Discussion in 'Tonneau Covers, Caps and Shells' started by BottleShark, Nov 15, 2022.

  1. Nov 15, 2022 at 11:16 AM
    #1
    BottleShark

    BottleShark [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2022
    Member:
    #406825
    Messages:
    262
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    TJ
    Bullard, Tx
    Vehicle:
    2018 White TRD Offroad Long Bed
    2" lift, AAL Rear, Front bumper, 12k Winch
    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.
    upload_2022-11-15_13-4-23.jpg
    upload_2022-11-15_13-5-0.jpg

    I didn’t want it to just be square, so I added the angle just for looks. And welded it all together.
    upload_2022-11-15_13-6-43.jpg
    It’s amazing how good a grinder and hammer coat paint makes my welds look.
    upload_2022-11-15_13-8-18.jpg

    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.
    upload_2022-11-15_13-10-5.jpg
    upload_2022-11-15_13-10-28.jpg
    upload_2022-11-15_13-10-44.jpg

    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.
     
    JPinFL and Stuck in VT like this.
  2. Nov 15, 2022 at 11:18 AM
    #2
    honda50r

    honda50r Not a Mallcrawler

    Joined:
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    East Tennessee
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    2nd Gen Tacoma
    Not Stock
    That looks like a sweet garage. It's even insulated!
     
  3. Nov 15, 2022 at 11:21 AM
    #3
    BottleShark

    BottleShark [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Member:
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    Messages:
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    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    TJ
    Bullard, Tx
    Vehicle:
    2018 White TRD Offroad Long Bed
    2" lift, AAL Rear, Front bumper, 12k Winch
    Thanks, two bays and an apartment. I have been blessed, now I just need to keep it cleaned up
     
  4. Nov 17, 2022 at 6:10 PM
    #4
    BottleShark

    BottleShark [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Messages:
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    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    TJ
    Bullard, Tx
    Vehicle:
    2018 White TRD Offroad Long Bed
    2" lift, AAL Rear, Front bumper, 12k Winch
    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.

    A4BC24BA-9AC0-41B1-B172-D3FACCEDB261.jpg
    9C6ADB9C-C335-4275-9D22-499544D41064.jpg
     
  5. Nov 20, 2022 at 1:42 PM
    #5
    Stuck in VT

    Stuck in VT Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Utah
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR SX MGM
    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!
     
  6. Nov 22, 2022 at 11:38 AM
    #6
    BottleShark

    BottleShark [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2022
    Member:
    #406825
    Messages:
    262
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    TJ
    Bullard, Tx
    Vehicle:
    2018 White TRD Offroad Long Bed
    2" lift, AAL Rear, Front bumper, 12k Winch
    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.
     
  7. Nov 22, 2022 at 11:43 AM
    #7
    GarlicFarts

    GarlicFarts Bertolli Roberto

    Joined:
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    Lil Rhody
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    2020 White DCSB TRD OR
    SOS bolt-on sliders In-cab sleeping platform J-Dub IFS Skid
    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.

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

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