Bed Rack with Tonneau

So I use two sets of J hooks to carry two kayaks.
@VAYota

 

Here's my final setup. We've been out with it twice and it works very nicely. Installed a pulley system on my garage ceiling to hoist the RTT and store it when not in use. This also works very well. It's quite easy to remove and install the RTT.

 

This is exactly what I’m looking for, looks great! What height did you get for the rack? Any specific j hooks your recommend?

Also go you get any whistling from the rack? Thanks!

 

I do not get any whistling, at least none that I notice. I bought the cheaper J hooks from Amazon. I did not use all of the bolts that are used in assembly on the bottom. I had initially used them with my old Pilot and Ridgeline (I know sacrilege on here) and their roof racks, but I had to remove them for stability and clearance on the KB rack. I did sand and repaint the J Hooks this year, after 6 years of use (not complaining).
In the picture below, I removed the bolts on either side of the main tie down bolts. I plan to replace them with bolds that will not protrude, but I have hauled the Kayaks about 600 miles with them like this and have noticed no problems.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XP590EY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

New listing:

$50 XMT-MOTO J-Bar 2 Pairs Universal Kayak Canoe Top Mount Carrier Roof Rack Boat SUV Van Car

https://www.amazon.com/XMT-MOTO-J-B...560976565&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1

 

Thank you very much!

 

Those launch permits look like PA.

You in the lehigh valley area?

Your setup looms good. J racks always make me nervous, ive seen plenty of photos of kayaks ripped off them without straps from the front and back, but it sounds like you got them secured properly with as many miles and years youve put on them.

 

I'm over near Pittsburgh. I use two ratchet straps per kayak/ one on each j hook. I also typically tie down the front and back, especially for longer trips, like up to Erie or Moraine. The 600 miles is only since using the kb, probably have carried them about 500 miles a year for 6+ years.

 

What are people’s thoughts on aluminum vs the steel voodoo racks? I’m torn between the two and whether it’s worth the $150

 

I have the older steel rack (2 years old) even though I only run it from late spring to early fall, and not every day, I have had to sand and repaint with rustoleum 3 times. The PC was awful, but keeping up with maintenance on it, I am still pleased with it. Just be aware that the older ones are steel and steel does rust, especially with terrible powdercoat and terrible prep. There are lots of ption out there for racks and finishes, this one in steel, is definitely not maintenance free.

 

whats the load rating? I have a RTT and tonneau cover I'd like to retain tyger top roll up (

$206 Tyger Auto T1 Soft Roll-up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover Compatible with 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma | 5' (60") Bed | TG-BC1T9044

https://www.amazon.com/Tyger-Auto-T...-21317--8-1---&vehicleName=2016+Toyota+Tacoma) and whats the shipping damage to 04861? @Dissent86

 

For all of you that have rack/tonneau combos, how are you keeping water out of the bed? I just installed Voodoo Hi Rise bars, well the supports since the bars haven't actually arrived yet, on my truck and had a fair amount of water ingress while washing it. I have a '16 with the OEM cover.

 

Im not sure there is any good fix for using the oem cover. I have a tyger roll up and i just cut some of the foam away where the Tonneau cover rails sit on the bed to accomdate for the KB. Voodoo brackets.

Your never going to get the oem cover to sit flush with the rails. Maybe get some weather stripping the same thickness as the KB brackets and put it on either side of the bracks on the bed rails to level it out? Just dont know of the TC would close with the extra height.

 

I have the hi-rise bars on mine, I simply cut the gasket material where my brackets go under my tonneau rail off, then I went to the hardware store and got some thin door/window foam seal, cut and gled it to the bottom of the tonneau cover rails. as well as tot he bottom of the KBvoodoo brackets. I also used it to seal up the gaps up front on the bed.. water will find a way, but i typically dont see more than a few drops.. everything is inside totes in the bed anyways.. dust, and water still get in there..

 

I had the KB Voodoo Hi-rise. Then I got the Mobtown bed bars. Then I modified the Mobtown bars... and here is how it sits now.



https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/went-to-modtown-on-some-mobtown-bed-bars.607513/

 

look very similar to mine, but I do like how the KBV high rise bars lock/slot into the brackets, and rely on transfering weight, and not rely on sheer strength of a bolt 4 grade 8 bolts per bar is a bit overkill for a rack with not much load on it. you'd have to apply close to 1000-1800 ftlbs to shear 2 grade 8 3/8" bolts.. when the bars are slotted in, and the security screw is in place it's sturdy as hell.. ive grabbed a hold and rocked the entire truck from the rack..

 

He modified those. Our design has the bars nesting on the the bracket to support the load.

 

If I were using the bars to hold a RTT, then maybe I'd be concerned, but as it stands, they hold 4 maxtrax, a shovel and a ski rack with skis or fishing rods.

And yes, as @jowybyo pointed out, they were heavily modified to fit my usage and taste. I provided the link above, which documents my bed bar progression and shows the mods.

 

And modified well. I like the look of yours. I really doing think you’ll have an issue. The shear strength of one 5/16”-18 grade 8 bolt is something like 7000#.

 

I upgraded to 3/8" to feel better about it, but yeah, the bolts don't concern me. My guess, if these were loaded to failure, the aluminum bars would tear through before the bolt failed.

If I were manufacturing these for a broad consumer base, then I'd saddle them, like you and KB do, but since I know the usage of "my design", I took the easy route.

My father owns a laser cutting fab shop, and I considered making my own, amongst other things, but as I'm sure you know, the margins aren't really there, for something this niche.

Thanks for the compliment!

 

Interesting. What size is the 80/20?

Nice. You could use that to your advantage if you wanted to start offering stuff.

Margins are thin but I think that’s just how a lot of consumer product businesses are.