RADO Designs Adventure Basket

Hey everyone,

Matt here with RADO Designs.

I’ve been testing a new product concept and would love to get your feedback on it.
Adventure Series Basket

•Bolts directly to factory accessory rails
•Width-adjustable to fit a variety of setups
•Molle-style mounting panels all around
•Compatible with the factory tonneau cover and most toppers.

Let me know what you think — any feedback or ideas are welcome!

Pictures of it installed on a 2nd Gen. I will have pics on a 3rd Gen in the next day or two.



Here’s one on a Tacoma, just giving an idea of the carrying capacity and size.

 

Looks good but saggy in the middle?

 

Only in that picture because it wasn’t fully bolted together in the middle. It was more of a test fit, so I didn’t throw in the bolts that hold all 3 sections together.

It will be perfectly straight and solid like in this picture of it installed in the Tacoma.

 

Here's my idea.... Send me one and I'll do some real world testing for you.

 

How tall is it? Would it fit over a decked toolbox?

 

I think this was the same product I commented on on Facebook- if you can figure out how to get it to slide I’d be interested. I have a trifold cover and the front third doesn’t open. To be able to store stuff in the basket and slide it out of the way but still have it accessible would be great.

 

I agree on the sliding part. If that could slide it would be awesome.

 

I am currently in search for a like solution to fit under my RSI Smart Cap. I have a 5.7 bed and would like some toolbox storage that doesn't take away from the full usable length of the bed-floor. I would like to keep some tools, recovery gear, air compressor, coveralls in the truck full time without a large loss to the bed capacity. A tool box that can hang off the bulkhead rail would be fantastic, but it would likely need to be supported with the weight of snow chains, jack, tools, etc. The issue with the Smart Cap is the the aluminum clamps and the support sill protrude inboard so you may lose some of full width depending on the toolbox solution type.
I have looked at Decked's 8t/13t cross bin made from aluminum. It has cutouts for the aluminum clamps and is one piece, made for our specific models beds. It essentially hangs from left to right bed sides. I think it would fit nicely under the Smart Cap and deconflict with the sills. No lid so if you're not using it with a cover items may hop out and it will collect dust. $350
********* has the Kryvo Cargo basket. Probably made in China. It has a very secure looking mounting arrangement. It uses the tie down bolts in the rear corners and the bed rails. Again, no lid. Hop/ dust vulnerable. Designed to sit below a bed cover $200 for the preorder with a 90 day lead time.
Builtright has a a 3 piece support bar that consists of two metal brackets that mount to the rear corner tie down bolts. They support an extrusion rail that basically spans the bulkhead wall halfway up. That could be helpful in supporting/ hanging basic tool boxes off the bulkhead wall but it's 50% of the solution and they want something like $300 for two brackets and a piece of extruded rail that probably costs $20. Pretty crazy.
Then there's the Pelican box solution. The BX85S box and the corresponding Saddle Case mount kit runs about $620 before shipping. It's the most refined, clean looking solution but it's crazy expensive and the plastic case seems pretty inefficient in its size due to the molding process. It loses something like 5" of length from outside to inside dimensions. But it's probably the cleanest to install and uninstall without modifications to the vehicle. And it has lid, and sits up higher in the bed to free up space below the box.
After looking at all these solutions I still haven't really found something that is exactly what I'm looking for. Depending on the price I could compromise but those that are priced reasonably enough have an unknown delivery time. I'm thinking real hard about buying $150 Amazon aluminum tool box with a lid and gas struts and figuring out a mounting solution. Maybe something as simple as a 2x6 wooden bench for it to sit on and then bolted to the bed rails on the back on the bulkhead wall. Or I could fashion some hangers out of scrap steel, bolt them to the bed rail, and have them All the way down to the bed for vertical support . A 50 to 54" wide tool box What fit in between the aluminum clamps that hold the cap on.

I post all these options which are likely competitors to your product not to be a dick, but just to show you from a consumer's perspective what options we are weighing when deciding whether or not to buy your product. What I do like about your product is the overall size and simplicity of mounting. The potential cons that I could see are lack of rigidity after thousands of miles of washboard with heavy weight in it, no protection from dust and the possibility of smaller items hopping out of the basket on whoops. I think anyone would be concerned, when considering any of these solutions, with constant rattling, smacking, and banging, so the more bolted in to the truck the better. It is also one of the more expensive solutions and has an unknown delivery time.

I would be more interested in a solid aluminum version without all the holes and molle panel functionality that Incorporated a hinged lid. That was a fixed length for a tundra bed and used an underneath support off the corner tie down bolts.

Best of luck on the launch of your product! I do appreciate you bringing innovation to the market and contributing to this forum!

 

Appreciate all of the info.

Some of the main reasons for our design are to have a “universal” fitment. Not something that’s strictly model specific. This opens the marketing to a vast array of the community.

Also it is designed to be used for multiple applications. This isn’t just a basket for the bed. It can be used in conjunction with bed racks, truck beds, our 4Runner Molle panels, our Tacoma and tundra Molle panels, and multiple other options.

Which is something that isn’t currently offered for the market. This is a practical use item for the every day person, or a die hard overlander.
We are working on a more “enclosed style” option, along with a lid. But the lid will be a model specific option. Such as tundra and Tacomas to start.

We are working on a few other options/add ons for this as well. Which would be offered down the line and require no modification to the current designs.

 

Id love something like this that slides into the bed divider spaces towards the rear.

 

I can see how the adaptability greatly simplifies application for a wider variety of vehicles as a manufacturer. As a customer, this may be seen as a downside vice a feature due to the potential compromise of rigidity. This call-out as a feature may not resonate with some people. Just a devils advocate perspective, fwiw. Another way to say it could be, "fitment for the "insert make/ model here" is guaranteed and can accommodate caps, bed covers, and overlanding racks.

 

Well since you asked . . .
1. Make it two pieces rather than 3. Have one side slide into the other. Stronger and the molle will be better in the middle.
2. Paint or powdercoat black
3. Sliding with hand tight knobs would be great. Load in the back slide to front.
4. Add holes and include a net for the top.

Just my two cents . . . let me know if you need change!

Other than that VERY cool design Matt!

 

Finally back online, I found the dimensions of the legacy and new Decked drawers both for full size and mid size trucks such as the Frontier/Taco/Colorado ....
Those are the dimensions for the Decked Gen 2.0 system: https://decked.com/pages/technical-specs
As they are using the same page as for the Gen 1.0 system I used the web archive to travel in the past (webpage rendering is terrible but what matters are the dimensions) https://web.archive.org/web/20230321085936/https://decked.com/pages/technical-specs

It would really be fantastic to be able to fit the aluminum basked (possibly with the Lid) on top of the Gen 1 Decked with the tonneau cover on top.

Hope this helps

 

Thanks for the input!
We did the 3 piece design to allow a ton of adjustment and to be able to fit multiple models of trucks, and give multiple mounting positions.

They will all be offered in a black powder coat. That is designed for the elements and will be UV resistant to avoid any fading.

We are working on the ability to offer a sliding add on. That way you will be able to move it front to back if needed.

A top/lid is also being worked on. I will have a “enclosed style” version finished up and being tested next week.

Thank you for the kind feedback!

 

Fair points! We are working hard to make sure rigidity and stoutness is a top priority with this product. We are still in the testing phase. There will be one or two more prototypes made up in the next week or so. Then we will most likely have two options. One that is this style design that is open. And one that is more of an “enclosed style”.

 

I would buy if it slid. I also have a tonneau cover where the third panel closest to the cab doesn’t open. That’s where I would put this so I’m still able to load tall items on the other side of the bed.

Hopefully price doesn’t go up anymore if this design happens. Where it’s priced now is the absolute max I’d pay.

 

100% understand that! We are a smaller shop and do our best to stay competitive with the pricing. A sliding version/“add on” option will factor into pricing. Just need to see where it all lands at the end of the day. But we are working hard to offer some of the features that have been asked about and mentioned.

 

For those who asked for a more “enclosed” version. I have a new lid I’m making. This was a quick version to test fit an idea. I will have a locking, hinged lid finished up next week.

Let me know your thoughts. As well as which style you prefer. Molle cutouts or the more “enclosed style”.

Enclosed style



Molle Style


Happy Saturday everyone!

 

My unbiased opinion is that my idea is the best so far. Let me know if you need my address.

Either version works for me

 

That's a thing of beauty

 

Either one. I’d buy whichever is cheaper because it does t matter to me. If they were the same price I’d probably grab the solid ones for stickers.

 

Nice! I recommend being able to open the lid from either side of the truck, vice having to get in the bed and lift from the exact center. Being able to stand outside the truck, reach over and lift the lid to access the respective side of the box. That has been one of the factors I've been looking at when shopping for tool boxes. Even a split lid design wouldn't be bad. My truck has a lift and I'm 6'3" with a pretty decent wingspan. There's a 10" void in the center of the bed I can't reach from either side. Those tool boxes that have a single lid with a center lock are a no go for me because I'd have to get in the bed to open them. Doubtful that's the case for your design from the looks of it, but just a thought as you refine your product.

Another issue I had with lidded toolboxes is most caps are slanted and the width reduces as the walls increase height. I had two tool boxes I was going to mount against the bulkhead wall and they fit perfectly width wise, but I failed to think about lifting the lid and the slanted walls would only allow the lids to open about 65% of the way. I had planned on the boxes sitting higher than you have your box sitting there so that enhanced the issue. Yours may be more forgiving. I would just check full opening and see how much the front corners could potentially extend out from an angled line of the bed contour to see what potential conflict the lid could have with caps, bed racks, etc.

 

It would also be interesting if your mounting plan had flexibility for height. Could a person mount the box higher or lower in relation to the bed rail? Is that the addition of a few holes on the side? Or would that require a redesign and not be feasible?

 

Thanks! Will look better when it comes back from paint.

 

Pricing will most likely be the same for either the Molle cut out or the solid sides. I think both are great options. The Molle cut outs do offer more mounting and tie down options though.

 

If we offer a lid it will be able to open from both sides. That is exactly what we’re making with the new lid design.

Yes, there are 3 different mounting heights for the basket. That is what the extra cut outs are for on the sides. That way you can mount it flush with the top of the bed side if desired.

 

looks pretty cool. I actually like the slotted design for the box