Under-shell support for cargo rack...

Greetings all,

I have a 2009 D-cab short bed with an A.R.E shell. I have plans to mount two roof-top tents on a custom 10' long cargo rack that extends over the shell and the cab. See the attached drawing.

The drawing shows the rack I hope to build, but now I am thinking about putting the support frame under the shell instead of having and external frame - I think it will look cleaner.

I am hoping to make the support structure modular under the shell so that I can remove it when not needed. The support frame will mount to the bed and extend snugly to points at four corners of the ceiling of the shell. The rack will then mount to the top of the shell at the four mount points.

Does anyone have experience with an internal support system such as this? Any ideas? I want it to look cleaner than it does in the attached drawing.

David

 

David , start here , might get you going in the right direction http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/64974-brand-new-building-ladder-rack-advice.html

OZ

 

Thanks, OZ