Very specific tonneau question - Bike mounts

For those that have or have seen the new tonneau in person...what are the options for bike mounts? I currently have Rocky Mounts Clutch bike mounts on the front rail of my 2nd gen. The front rail is now gone, with availability of just the front rail in question.

1) If you mount a third rail on the front of the bed, will the tonneau still fit? Can the factory tonneau be folded against the cab (a la backflip) so that this rail could be used?

2) Could bike mounts be mounted to the top of the factory tonneau?

I realize that the 2016 tacoma build&price page just went live and may not be 100%, but my desired combo seemingly requires the tonneau. I'm just not sure how practical it would be for someone who hauls bikes frequently.

 

You can't fold the Tonneau cover up against the back window.
Hopefully Toyota at least makes the front rail a dealer option.
Your options look like you need to remove the cover in order to haul bikes. Or wait for the Bakflip to come out for the Tacoma.

 

I've got a limited on order, with the cover and two bike mounts. All ordered a month + ago. Of course my salesman hadn't had any training yet on the new model, so we thought we were okay for hauling bikes.

So are you saying, one has to take the cover off completely and no one knows yet if one can even purchase or fit the front rail on?

 

It would be handy if you could securely mount the bikes (kayaks, etc,) on top of the cover.

 

Some have found the front rail on Amazon for around $45, but I believe you will have to remove the cover to use it for bike mounts.

Please respond to this thread when yours comes in.

 

For what it's worth, allegedly the tonneau cover is rated to hold 400lbs..

 

I have a salesman checking into the questions. Not sure when I'll get the answer

I specifically asked if the front rail can be mounted on a tonneau equipped 2016. They didn't know. If it can, I am fine with removing the tonneau when I want to haul my bikes. But that assumes the front rail and my rockymounts install and stay under the cover when not in use.

Not sure how you would mount anything on top.

 

What about mounting the mounts on the underside of the middle tonneau section. When up against the cab the mounts would be up.

 

I took my front rail off my 2014 before I trade it in. Hoping they don't notice....mounting holes look the same. Not sure if it will mount on top of the piece they added for the tonneau cover (for some dumb reason they added it to every truck instead of including it as part of the tonneau), but worst case you can remove that and just put the rail on. I would say at least 50% I'm driving my truck my bike or something bulky is in the back. Very rare that I would actually need a cover other than ski season and for better mileage

 

When you removed the rail, are the nuts on the front of the bed clipped or built in? In other words, did you just unscrew the torx screws or do you have to hold the nut on the other side of the bed too?

 

Just unscrewed the torx, took off the rail and screwed them back into the bed. Not sure how they were held on but I was also worried about this at first until I stared taking it off. Literally took less than 5 minutes. And I left my rocky mounts rack mounted to the bar lol

 

I plan to do the exact same thing. Including my RockyMounts.

 

If the dealer notices and docks my trade I'll put it back, unless it's less than $50. But I doubt they'll notice

 

Anyone find a tonneau that fits bike mounts on the added front rail?

 

Not sure if its the best option, but I side mount mine so i can keep the tonneau on. Not sure if the width changes with the 2016, I'll find out in the spring... But with the 29er I either pull the back wheel of the bike toward the tailgate to fit inside the box, or use the rail tie downs with a bungee to secure the back tire. This option sits the bike higher but it keeps the bike straight. I never had an issue doing either.

 

I took my front bed track off my 2013 prior to trading it in. Reinstalled the hardware and used a little semi-gloss black spray paint to cover up any evidence that a track was there. No issues. The 2nd gen track bolted up no problem with a tonneau cover installed. I use the rocky mountain mounts (two) and have been trying to figure out how to install them and leave the cover installed. I considered mounting the bike sideways like Chris shows above. I also am thinking about installing the mounts on the bottom of the second panel on the tonneau cover. So, when the cover is folded the bike mounts will be face-up and will be face down when the cover is unfolded. I am struggling with drilling on the cover though.

 

Yup, i'm wondering if any of the covers that flip up against the back window work with any mounts. Like do the mounts stick out enough to work on the front rail without taking the tonneau cover off. anyone?

 

Go to www.etrailer.com, put your model in and look at "truck bed bike racks" specifically Saris Kool Rack Pick-Up Truck-Bed-Mounted 2 Bike Carrier - Fork Mount this will not utilize the front track and allow you to position the bar further aft to clear the cover.

 

I decided to mount my bike mount like Chris did above, but I did not like how the bike barely fit. So I decided to experiment. I removed the front bed rail and attached it to the 2nd panel of the tonneau cover. I centered the rail on the cover and verified it would close properly. I drilled and attached the rail, inserted the bike mounts...works good. I don't have my bike with me to show it attached, but I know it worked because I test fit my bike last week. Both of my bikes are 29ers so I am not sure if I will be able to close the tail gate. However, the rail is very sturdy since I drilled into metal, not plastic. I was not able to use the center hole on the rail because it is right on top of another screw. So, it is attached with 4 screws. If I feel I need more I can always put one on each side of the center hole. Now I can load my bikes and keep the cover installed.

 

Fits great under the cover.