Tonneau capable bed rack/rails?

oh this is great thank you. it looks like it basically just clamps onto the existing mx4 clamp area. the link you had provided earlier looks to be different than expected as Amazon doesn't have the rail system anymore. it looks like this is the part number/full setup to me https://realtruck.com/p/elevate-rack-system/trx-1118570/

 

Oh wow, I wonder why Amazon doesn't have them? That's where I bought my racks. I got the T-Slot rails from the camper shell place where I bought my MX4.

I did notice from your link that the racks now have three height settings. When I bought mine they only had High and Low. I had to drill my own set of holes to get the middle height I wanted.

The high was WAY too high and goofy looking, and the low was too low for my SUPs &/or surfboards to clear the cab. More of a RTT setup on the low.

*Worth noting*

With my height setting I can't fold the MX4 up against the cab... it hits the radius of the crossbar/upright.

I don't know about other covers, but the three panels of the MX4 are not the same length, and folding the panel closest to the cab requires more clearance then folding the rear panel does.

This is a choice/compromise I made to get the height & look I wanted and level of functionality I need 97% of the time for my use. If I need to use the full bed I'll spend the 2 minutes to just take the tonneau all the way off, I'd prefer not to block my rear window anyway.

2 or 3 inches higher would clear, but I wanted to keep them as low as possible, so long as boards clear the cab and I can open the middle and back panels.

 

thanks for the insight. the compromise you discuss is something i'm also willing to deal with. the reason I want a rack to work with the mx4 is so that I can travel in the desert with gear mostly protected and still have a RTT. the rack/rtt won't live up there, but having both at the same time is pretty important to me. If i can find the rails, racks, etc setup as a whole I think i'll be grabbing it.

 

Racks are rated for 750 lbs. static, 500 lbs. driving, and 250 lbs. off roading, so should hold most tent setups fine.

 

yeah, not concerned there, just mounting and continuing to use the mx4 which seems easy enough. too bad the whole setup is now nearly $1100 and it's not even in stock from what I can tell.

 

Thanks for sharing @SD Surfer. Read your post a while ago while comparing options and finally pulled the trigger on this rack.
Have a question regarding the T-Slot rail that I'm trying to order, what size should I get for my CrewMax? I'm confused bw the 56" and 63" options.
Cheers!

 

Hey, happy to help! I think you'll be pleased, I'm still really happy with mine.

You want the 63" for your CrewMax. (I think 56" must for a mini truck or Maverick or something)

Just to be sure I'm not giving you bad information I went down and measured mine



Then I went on RealTruck order options and put in CrewMax, 5.5' bed.

 

That is great to hear. And a huge thank you for going the extra bit and double checking the measurements.
I really appreciate it mate!
Gonna put the order in and will post pics once I have things installed.
Cheers.

 

I hope they work out well for you.

Side benefit - gives you an easy way to throw up some quick shade to hang out in the back!

I keep my Costco Tommy Bahama beach umbrella in the bed, quick bungee or lashing strap and "C'est viola!"

 

That is a sweet set up

 

Just got mine installed and trying to fit the Dakine surf pads onto the crossbars and seems impossible to catch the velcro on. Any tips on that, I see from the pics above you ve got them on pretty well.

 

I had Yakima racks with round bars on my last truck so I had to buy the new pads for these flat/oval crossbars, but they went on pretty easily with good engagement of the velcro.

Are your pads definitely the right ones for these bars?

 

I love your setup. That Elevate rack system looks pretty stout and has a higher weight capacity then I need (which I like, more =better). How do you think they are for holding up to wind force? If I put 2 kayaks on do you think strapping to the rack is sufficient or should I also run a rope to the front of the truck? I don't have them yet, just trying to learn as much as I can ahead of time, so any input you may have is greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you! I'm real happy with how it turned out. Not a lot of options to run racks with a tri-fold so I'm pretty stoked with the setup, suits my lifestyle well.

So for frame of reference, the SUP's you see in the picture are 14' and 12' 6" long and shaped like airplane wings so they probably catch a good amount of wind and they are not super light. (Not carbon fiber race boards) Probably 32-35 lbs./ea.

Not sure what type or size kayaks you have.

I've traveled at freeway speeds with just the lashing straps and boards don't budge but a bow &/or stern line on the 'yaks certainly couldn't hurt, especially if they're super long sea kayaks.
I sorta' feel like if I was tying off to the front of the truck I might want to run a line to the back end too just so you're not pulling it in one direction.

Also I think it helps having the crossbar pads under the boards so they can compress a little when I tighten the straps down, kinda' creates two way tension and keeps things from shifting or loosening.

So far everything is solid... fingers crossed!

 

Thanks for the detailed feedback!
My kayaks are small, only 10' long. Not much to tie to on the front of truck (without rubbing paint off) so was hoping racks could take the stress of freeway speeds on their own. Of course with my OCD I'm sure I'll have to figure out a way to add bow lines...

Thanks again for your pics and sharing your experience

 

I think mine are not the right size, thought they’d fit.

 

Im gonna zip tie them for today’s excursion with my sup.

 

My pleasure, always happy when my experiences can help someone else. I ask my share of questions when doing my research so I'm glad to give it back.

I think you'd be fine with just some good quality straps given the size of your kayaks. With the Crewmax and short bed my biggest concern was the narrow spacing of my racks relative to the length of my touring board, and that has proven to be a non-issue.

 

Yeah, I seem to recall having to get the "XL" pads due to the circumference of the crossbars.

 

FYI, I had some Da Kine straps (that weren't cheap) and ended up getting some at Home Depot (I think they called "Keeper Koastal") for like half the price that I like better.

They're a wider strap, like 1.5" instead of 1" and it just feels like I can cinch 'em down tighter without feeling like I'm crushing or denting my load, it spreads the forces out over 50% more surface area.