Tracks on ARE cap

I have just recently ordered the 54in Yakima tracks for my cap. Wondering if anyone has any instructions or placement for the tracks. Thanks!

 

My 2003 DC has had an ARE CX shell since new (two owners ago) with factory Yakima rails.

I’d try calling ARE to get the factory’s input on placement. They may know more than we do about the structure inside the composite roof and where the strongest mouting points are. Doesn’t mean that’s what one has to do, but worth knowing if available.

 

I live close to the ARE factory so I guess we will see what I can do about getting them to give me some answers.

 

I did this on my short bed about 8 months ago, I paralleled the honeycomb reinforced section on the inside of the cap, about a half inch away so I could get the retaining caps on the inside secured without issue.

I lined it up the best I could and made sure the tracks were parallel and evenly centered front to back and marked.

Turned out great, took it to an ARE dealer for some keys and they said it looked no different than the way they would have mounted the tracks.

 

On the inside of the cap I highly suggest putting something on the bolts so you can use to hang items. My friend used climbing hangers. That way you can hang fishing poles, clip a net up for a drying rack, etc

 

This!

Put them as far apart as you can while still going through the reinforced area of the cap. Put a little silicone over each of the screw holes to help seal against leakage.

Having a friend help is almost a necessity since you need to hold the nuts underneath while somebody screws from the top. I had to use the ol' reach-a-round method which made it a lot less enjoyable.

 

Thanks for all the help ! I'll post pictures once it's done.

 

Can anyone tell me what the Center to Center measurement is on the factory installed tracks are? I just ordered a ARE CX and need the measurements to prep for My Rhino rack platform

 

Wrong- do not go through the reinforced area! The thicker section in the middle contains a honeycomb panel but you want to install the tracks between it and where the shell starts curving. You need the tracks to lay flat and to have enough clearance on the inside for the capnuts (that's what Yakima calls their version) to sit flush. The honeycomb section is subject to crushing as you tighten the nuts and any water intrusion will mess up the material.

Do a search in the cap forum and there are multiple threads on installing tracks including plenty of pictures.

 

So just go on the outer edge of the honeycomb reinforcement ?

 

Assuming your shell looks like most of them, go between the reinforced, thicker part but closer towards where it starts to curve, you want the tracks and the nuts to sit flush against the shell. The reinforced section is to provide rigidity to the large flat area and help prevent movement that would cause microcracking in the fiberglass and paint (at least that's what the dealer told me and he'd been in business for a couple of decades). Think about how a flat sheet of plywood wobbles when you strap it to a rack and drive.

Again, there are tips, tricks, descriptions and pictures in the shell forum- https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/tonneau-covers-caps-and-shells.198/

 

This is how mine looks.

 

You can see two of the capnuts in this picture (ignore how dirty my glass is). Yakima has a program where they send their installers around to places that install their racks such as bike shops, kayak shops, etc. to teach them how to install them, assemble different combos, etc. My brother managed a bike shop for a while and told me to put it there so I did. It's possible they've changed their guidelines since I installed mine in 2006, but between the dealer telling me not to drill into that part and my brother saying the same thing that's what I went with. I haven't had any leaks so far and I've carried around 150#s on it on multiple occasions.



ETA- that's an older picture, I went back and put picture hangers under the capnuts to give me something to tie paracord to, hang my LED lantern, etc. The one odd washer in the front window is the nut that ARE attaches the owner's manual bag under.

 

Okay nice so just on the outside of the honeycomb. Did you buy your Yakima tracks later or with the cap ?

 

I got them through my brother when he was working at the bike shop. The big thing is you want everything to sit flush so that it all applies pressure equally. Several others and myself have all written posts on how we installed ours including lessons learned that will be helpful- ex. use brand new bits, start small, use a depth limiter (helps keep the carpet from getting wrapped in the bit and pulling loose) and then use the correct size bit. Painter's tape is your friend to help mark and to help keep you from scratching the paint when you move the tracks around.

 

Thanks for all your replies but, I have put them on my last 2 caps.... i have a measurement max of
45 3/4” center to center to mount my feet for my Rhino Rack platform .

 

I think I'll just hold the track on the inside and mark the holes to drill then drill from the inside out. I'll probably have to cut down my tracks as well. The only size they had was 54in.

 

I don’t need the length, center to center width is what I looking for

 

I will be putting RTC tracks from Rhino when I do

 

Looking at your avatar, I know you! LOL Tell Tina I said hi.