Bed rails?

from the pics I've seen, appears the bed rail in the front of the bed (behind the cab) has been eliminated?

Can anyone confirm this?

TIA

 

I noticed the same thing on several different configurations. Storage above the wheel well is gone too.

 

No bed rail there.
There are 2 threaded holes in the center to mount something too.

 

That sucks!

Guess the TacomaTruckParts Motorcycle Tie-Down bar or BAMF's Bed Rail Tie Downs will not work on a 3rd Gen.

 

That motorcycle bar will still work. You have to remove the factory rail for that one, and it looks like the bolt holes are still there.

 

Storage has been gone a few years. Even my 2014 doesnt have those cubbies

 

Ugh. Really? I have mounds there for my (mountain) bikes. The main use I get out of the bed...

 

Did some more research and found many other photos with the front rail missing. Then watched some install videos of bed covers (like the backflip) similar to the one now offered from Toyota. Those installs require removal of the front rail. My guess is the front rail is missing to accommodate the new bed cover

Alternatives for bike hauling? Wonder if they will sell the 3rd rail....or if i should just keep the one off my 2nd gen.

Current method:

 

For around $30, you can purchase the head bed rail from Toyota. It appears the 3rd gen already has the holes and torx bolts there, so it should be an easy mount.

Part number is PT278-35100-BH, from this post.

 

I'll make something more useful to go in its place.

Throw me some suggestions.

 

How about a rail with the OEM like tract AND some tie down points?

 

Nice bike, I my son and I both have the same and the way you have to skewer that thing to get the bed close is one of many reasons I am going with the LB!

 

I hear ya... Luckily the wife's is short enough that it doesn't have to angle quite so much and the tailgate will close with both in the bed.

 

I have my equipment shop on hold to order me a pace-edwards rolling tonneau cover with the rail just seen here
http://www.pace-edwards.com/accessories#explorer-series-rails

with this rail kit, you can use a single roof rail (Yaikima, Thule, Etc) with the proper mounting kit. I will either weld or bolt on the fork mount onto the bar to haul the bikes. The rail will be able to be over the canister on the tonneau cover to give me the most room possible in the bed. Only using 1 rail and will have the tonneau cover open when hauling bikes so the rear tire is in the bed of the truck.