Camper Shell and roof racks

RichVT: It's amazing how you're using this truck... awesome photo!

 

How stable is that to drive at highway speeds? I don't usually pick up trim/lumber unless its just a few sticks, usually just pay the few bucks to have it delivered. The odd time that I do, that would really save my bacon as it were.

 

There is a lot of play where the bed extender mounts into the receiver on the hitch but the ropes really snug it up. There are also various devices you can get to tighten up things that you mount into a receiver.

I've carried plenty of long loads on my old truck with just racks on the cap - they just hang out the back really far. The old setup was high enough to walk under so that was less of an issue. The new cap/racks are much lower so it's nice to be able move the load forward over the truck.

 

Thanks, that's exactly the info I'm looking for. On my last truck I was for-ever getting hassled about loads hanging off the back by police, regardless of how well secured/flagged they were, I don't mind the interaction, I just hated the waste of time when they realize infact my load *IS* secure, safe, and meets all rules.

 

I know this thread is a little old, but I have a bunch of questions. I primarily use my racks for hauling my kayaks. I have modified my old first gen bed racks to fit my third gen. I bought the baseline mounts, but I needed to move them further back along the front doors then normal to fit my kayaks and rocket launcher. I was curious if any people using the Yakima Baseline towers had any input or could post pics of their setup. Thanks!

 

Very nice. I like the double rack setup.

 

Furcata are those the Yakima Baseline mounts you are referring to?

On my 08 I had used the old QTR mounts. I'm hoping that the clips for the 08 will work on the newer generation. Yakimas website needs some serious help last time I was there trying to figure out what 'clips' I needed.

 

Really? Where you there recently?

I just went through the page:

(4) Baseline Towers: #8000146
(2) Baseclip 145 (B37-5): #8006145
(2) BaseClip 128 (B49-5): #8006128

Several bar choices.

 

Yep I think I found out what clips I need for the now out dated QTR towers which are Q41 however now was unable to find out what I had for my 08 per their page. I'll just end up calling them sometime. Would love if they just offered a PDF/XML spread sheet for vehicles instead. I still like and use Yakima's products and will continue to use their stuff.

 

Look locally for a rack store, we have a "Rack 'n Roll" which is part of Hutches Bicycles in the PNW and that's all they do. I went in looking for the Yakima and they had 3-4 brands on full display and stocked just about every clip and adaptor for each of them. Extremely knowledgeable. They were able to break out feature and function with different price points.

REI is pretty good with the little pieces as well if you already have some components.

 

Yeah, those are the new towers. I had the same questions, hoping to re-use my towers with new clips, but the body styling is so different and the towers function in a totally different manner. Perhaps others could make fit, but mine were pretty beat...so upgrading seemed like a good option. I'm still tweaking them a bit, I'll post a couple of test fit pics.

 

how hard was it to install rack on the camper shell?

 

a whole lot easier than the cab rack but this was with the rails already installed from the camper shell manufacturer.

 

Awesome, I figured you already had tracks from the dealer

 

Going to purchase a Leer 100XR for my truck. I was quoted 460$ for the Thule tracks only installed from factory. Any benefits getting the tracks installed at factory to installing after?

 

Tracks only for $460 is way too much, at that price it should include the racks. The only advantage is the warranty. Doing it afterwards voids the warranty. I’ve asked the same question before also.


Call them back .. if it’s done at the factory the $460 should include the racks and so ask them for only the tracks cause it should be $200

 

I believed it was way to much, however wanted to get installed at factory in order to keep the warranty. I also plan on installing a roof top tent to it, and they told me that with the tracks or rails they would be re-enforced in the fiber glass mold. Will call them up and negotiate. Thanks

 

Ok the added cost may be because of the added reinforcement. Has anyone ran a tent up there without the added reinforcement? I’d ask them to break it down to how much would it be if they didn’t reinforce it, so you have a baseline

 

Maybe I am wrong but I rather doubt that they would add additional support within the fiberglass mold when making the shell. I can't imagine they would change the mold or build process for shells with a rail system vs ones without this is just an opinion. I could very well be wrong too.

Either way in your situation if you are going to run a tent or plan to I would probably have the factory do it for the warranty aspect. I would see see how long their warranty lasts. My leer has some added thickness towards the center of the shell which I'm guessing is where they would mount the rail system if one was added. I still have yet to install a rack on the campershell for just don't need one right now.

 

Another Option (if your not completely committed to a shell):

On my old rig (2007 Ford F150) I had a camper shell with roof rails. The shell was super convenient (also had a bed slide with for mounts for bike when I did not need the cargo space in the bed. On my new rig I decided I did not need a shell but I was at a loss for how to both carry bike, skis etc outside of the bed but still have protection of the bed cargo. After a little research a found the Undercover Ridgelander Tonneau Cover. I love it. Plenty of space on top to haul my bike's, skis etc while maintaining easy access to the bed without removing the gear.