Retrax issue with bed cleats

I just added the deck rail system under my retrax cover. The instructions indicate I should be able to put my cleats back in, but the rails just sit on top of the cleat. Has anyone else run into this? And am I just gonna have to move forward without the cleats?

 

Did you get the Retrax clamps that go with the bedrail system?
Surely you did..

These ugly bulky OEM cleats won't work with a cover.
There are other options:

These are expensive but look great...

Billet Rail Tie-Down Anchors! | Toyota Tundra Forum (tundras.com)

I used these with my Undercover Flex and had to bend them a little bit..

Review - CCR Sport Deck Rail Tie Down Hook for Tundra with a cover and rail system | Toyota Tundra Forum (tundras.com)

 

Yeah I had to order the new clamps

okay good to know. The instruction booklet made it sound like it could still have my cleats. Now I’m bummed but I have been eyeing up Chavonias stuff. Hope they’ll fit

 

My ReTrax mounted right to the the rail system on my '15 and I was still able to use the cleats that came with the truck.

 

Same cleats as what i have pictured?

 

My retrax rails have cut outs in the middle for the cleats to have the clearance needed. Is yours just straight all the way across?

 

Same with my 14. Was still able to use the cleats with the ReTrax.

 

Yup they are straight all the way across

 

Here's how mine look

 

Im wondering if the rails are also different when you tell them if you have the deck rail system or not.

 

Me too my cleats work just fine.

 

Pretty sure they are - I specified that I had the deck rail system when I ordered these rails. I think the cut away sections are only included if you specify that.

 

Possibly. I know with Bakflip ones they are or at least used to be. They have drop brackets that come with the one I got if you have a deck rail system. Probably don't include those otherwise.

When I got one for my Taco it had different mounting brackets than if you didn't have the deck rails too.

 

Another option you have is to cut the rails for your cover yourself.

 

Yeah I was thinking it was just the mounting hardware that changed but you are probably right.

 

Was thinking that. Shouldnt be too hard, but I think I would rather go with those sweet Chavaria billet cleats. Pricey but look great

 

I don't think those will clear your rail either, looking at the picture of yours vs. the other guy's who has the cutouts. I think either way you will have to cut the rails for the cover or get different rails from them.

The other issue is - how do the clamps work for your unit? The other members picture shows a clamp that looks to use a t-nut and slide into the deck rails.

 

Actually, looking more at these pictures I don't think yours will work with a deck rail at all. It appears you have an extra lip below the ribbed section of the rail which isn't present on the other one with the cutouts. It looks as if that would be resting on your deck rail and raising up the rails whether there is a cleat in there or not. I think you would need some pretty extensive modification to your retrax rails to work at all.

 

What's the PN on the rail?

 

It seems to lay pretty flat, but Ill inspect it more. I havent attached the clamps back on yet, Ill make some time this weekend to check and see.

 

Im not sure, any idea where I would find that?

 

looks like it should be fine, i haven’t tightened down yet though

 

If you look at the other picture, that rail doesn't sit over the top of the rail track like yours does. Is it flush against the side of the bed? I'd be concerned that tightening it down may be affected, or the cover might bind, but I don't know.

 

I see what you're saying. It really doesnt look like itll be an issue though. It does however look like it will be an issue with ANY cleats, which sucks. Ill tighten down and report back.

 

I think you could do an eye bolt with a t-nut. There's someone who made something like that. I'll have to see if I can find it.

 

I can't find what I was thinking of, but you could do something like this:

Tie Downs:

$24 Seven Sparta Tie Down Anchors for Truck, Trailer, Warehouse, Boat, 10 Pack of Heavy Duty Steel V Ring Bolts, Tie Down Rings（Black）

https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Sparta-Anchors-Warehouse-Bolts（Black）/dp/B07H9ZKRH6/
T-Nuts:

$13 5-Pack of T-Slot Nuts - Ideal T Slot Nut for Toyota Tunda & Toyota Tacoma Pick-Up Truck Bed Deck Rails - Cleat/Cleats - by Mission Automotive

https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Automotive-5-Pack-T-Slot-Nuts/dp/B07739WXJB

Then you just need a bolt that will thread in long enough to just make the T-Nut tight.

 

Not a bad work around. I appreciate you sending this.

 

You might actually be okay with how close yours is to the rail.

Full disclosure is that I bought a canister that was previously on a RAM1500 and I think it's a little more narrow/longer than ours (the length is why I bought new rails).

Looking at how close yours is looks more right to me as mine is farther from the side than I think it should be.

Edit: I can definitely say that my rails are correct though for the bedrail system as the replacement rails I ordered allowed me to specify that.

 

I would contact Retrax and tell them you added the deck rail system to your truck.
Let them know in your email (in a nice way) the results will be posted on your Tundra forum(s)..

They will either:
1. Sell you just the bed rail Retrax rails you need
2. Send you a set of bed rail Retrax rails for free

It doesn't hurt to ask..

Undercover has gone above and beyond in customer service with my Undercover Flex.
Including replacing my 23-month-old Flex (2 year warranty). and sending me rail clamps for free when I bought my bed rail system (after 3 years).

Good luck...

 

Yep.