Short Rack vs. Mid-level Bed Rack

$370 sounds great as an alternative to a bed rack. I'm really looking forward to seeing the bed rails once they're ready. I'm sure most of us who decide on a mid-level bed rack/rails make peace with the idea of limited rearview visibility lol

 

Side note. I have RCI (@Joshp767 ) sliders and skids and ditch light brackets....
I had an issue with one of the skid plates, I contacted RCI and they immediately sent me a new one and sent me a return label for the old one, zero cost extra for me. Solid company and they definitely take care of their customers. I recommend.

I’m pretty active here on TW and I gotta say, I really appreciate seeing @CaliRaisedLed always shooting comments and messages to their customers saying thank you and hope you enjoy the product.

Back on topic. I have @Mobtown Offroad bed bars. Well. Physically no, @Shellshock has them lol but this is the more “modular” solution others were saying in this thread. I know that I probably didn’t help at all....... I think you’re on the right track though with companies.

 

That's a little over half the size of the shortest bed rack I've seen. Might have to seriously consider some bed rails especially since price various greatly between the two.

 

Appreciate the suggestions regardless. I too have heard really good customer service reviews from a few TW members regarding both RCI and @CaliRaisedLed. I had a set of their ditch lights and love the quality/light output.

 

This is a very good point. I have not used the rear view mirror nor turned my head for backing since passing my license test decades ago. With back up cameras and aftermarket wide angles why would anyone.

 

Thanks for the mentions guys! Please let me know if I can be of any assistance. I see a lot of good info on this thread from all members. This is what Tacoma World is all about

 

Wasn't aware you guys offer custom orders on bed bars. I'm really interested to see how @Onwarrds bed bars turn out as this might be a good alternative to the bed rack you guys offer. Of course I'd probably get some side rails to go with it.

 

Cameras do make it much easier to reverse but I personally feel like that’s a handicap. I like to be able to trust myself backing up in case the camera ever fails so I practice not relying on it.

 

Agree with the bed bar sentiment. Keeps everything nice and low. If you do go rack my vote is relentless. That rack is sweet!

 

Who makes the bed bars on your setup? And yeah Relentless is a great company as well from what I hear. Their bedrack looks pretty bomber!

 

You're already relying on a $40k finely tuned, computerized driving machine. heh. What's a camera at that point?

 

https://www.leitnerdesigns.com/productslist.asp?show=60&page=1

I like their rack system too

 

They are the relentless ones. Three of them with the hi-lift mount.

 

Not really understanding your line of logic. If I can drive a car well, it means I can drive also drive a $500 beater just as well. I just prefer to be able to trust myself over any safety systems in a vehicle. I do agree the back up camera makes it much easier.

 

Every post about some piece of technology inspires a lot of people to tell us that they don't need the technology, and that it makes them a better person somehow. I do it all the time, too, so I'm a massive hypocrite and I'm not really picking on you. In any RTT thread, someone says ground tents are better because they've been using 'em fer 40 years. In any thread about automatic transmissions, someone always says they only drive manual. Snorkel thread? I'm sure there are 14 posts from dudes who never went offroad, about how those elephant trunks are ugly and stupid. It simply does not advance the conversation.

What I'm pointing out is that even a $500 beater is 2 tons of complex machinery, and you're relying on it to perform its function in countless unconsidered situations. Given all the technology even in a beater, why suddenly draw the line at a camera? Putting a car in reverse and backing up is, skill-wise, no different when you use a camera than when you use a mirror. Anyone can master it in an afternoon. You don't even know how to drive to master the use of a mirror.

 

Don’t think at any point did I say that one technology is better than the other as your examples. All I’m saying is I try to keep myself from relying on technology that has the chance of failing on me. Yeah, using a camera is like using a mirror, that’s why I don’t just rely on mirrors either.

Your examples of RTT or MT vs. AT has any bearing on this discussion really. I use both RTT and ground tents, and I can see the merits of both. I prefer AT but I also glad I know how to drive an MT in case I ever want to or need to. Same with these backup cameras, I’m glad they exist but I’m also glad I don’t have to rely on it to back up properly.

Simply put, if you’re teaching your son or daughter how to drive, are you only going to teach them to use the back up camera?

 

Ok, as promised here are my new bed bars from @CaliRaisedLed. These are DOM steel tubes. Super simple, super lightweight and should be plenty strong! They probably weigh in under 50lbs for both!

Benefits: easily moveable and removable, lightweight, simple. Low profile so RTT should sit flush with cab.

Potential downsides: less side mounting options (although I had the tabs welded to be able to add side panels later if I need them), obstructs rear view slightly. But honestly I can still see behind me underneath the height of the bars pretty well.

Let’s hear your thoughts! @Johnny77

 

I was wondering when you'd be posting some pics lol.

I'm actually really impressed with how they turned out. They look a lot better than I had imagined. The quality looks top notch as well and I'm glad to hear they're easy to remove/adjust. Rearview doesn't seem like it'll be obstructed much either. I think I'll definitely add some side rails for the extra gear, but for ~$200 you can't go wrong.

 

Yeah for sure! Chris who made them said they are pretty slammed with their big move right now but he said the plan is to eventually offer these as a product on their website as well.

 

I'll have to reach out to them once I'm ready to pull the trigger. I honestly think I'm leaning toward a @CaliRaisedLed bed rack/bars over RCI. I just can't get over how sweet those side rails look compared to other racks on the market.