Back to Tundra - cover and rack decisions

I’m finally back in a Tundra after going from a Gen1 to Tacoma to 4Runner and now a 2021 CM SR-5 Trail Edition in Army Green.
It’s good to be back. I’ve been searching this forum for weeks trying to determine my setup. No plans to get too far from stock but it does need a few upgrades on a tight budget.
First off, I’m a photographer and I work daily out of a large Pelican case. I can see it’s gonna be a pain locking it in the cab multiple x a day but I haven’t found an convenient way to secure to bed and lock it. If I could I’d probably leave my bed open so I’m grudgingly looking it tonneaus to mainly to keep it out of sight and a little added security would be nice but I’ll be bringing it in with me every night or locking inside in higher crime environs.
I think I’ve looked at every style in the market and I’m still going round/round as value/versatility is priority.
I also know I’ll want a bed rack to haul kayaks, skybox, etc.
For tonneaus I’m currently debating between the financial saving of going with a low profile soft rollup cover with t-slots like the Truxedo X15 Pro or a rolling hard cover like the BAK Revolver or Trux Sentry but all the moving parts I wonder how they hold up? Are they are really worth 2X the price for slightly more security?
Any feedback about these covers or rack options I’m missing please let me know.

 

I’ve had this Diamondback cover since 2017. I love it. A year or so ago I decided I needed a better way to haul my 2 kayaks. I ended up with a DYI solution and built my own bedrack using aluminum t-slot mounted to my bed over. Right now I’ve got an Apache case and a rod tube mounted on top and a mount for a propane tank on the side. The t-slot opens up a lot of options.

 

Welcome from NY.

 

I have a Bakflip trifold and think it’s great. Pricey at $1200 but seems well made and should last a long time.

Btw, nice color choice. We are a rare breed. I live in a big city and rarely run into an AG. Cool dog too!

 

Beautiful truck and Boykin! I can't believe the 21 trail edition came with halogen headlamps??

 

Good looking truck and doggo!

Tundras look better with a dog or 3 in the window.



It wasn't exactly cheap, but I'm VERY happy with my set-up of Bakflip MX4 and Elevate racks. I decided that I wanted a Tri-Fold rather than roll up or retractable, which greatly limited my options for running racks and being able to fold the tonneau.

The Elevate T-Slot rails mount with the tonneau, and then the racks mount to the rails.
Racks are rated for 750 lbs. static load, 500 lbs. driving, and 250 lbs. off road driving. I haven't put any serious weight on them... mostly water toys, but they're pretty stout.

They come with HI/MED/LO holes

Tonneau provides a little security to keep honest people honest, as with anything if a determined thief wants in, well... but at least it locks and nobody can walk by and see stuff in there.

Between racks, tonneau, Bedrug, and lights, I'm stoked with how everything came together. Happy to answer any questions if you wanna' know more.

 

Best security imo is a diamond back. I have one and it works well. I only put it on for traveling so I can WX proof and secure valuables. Not hard to take on and off, but can be a PIA and it's a 20 min job.

 

Yep. The “Limited Trail” additions turns out to mean very limited upgrades.
I just put some new halogens in yesterday so I haven’t had a chance to see them at night yet.

 

I’ve been eyeballing your setup for a while now. Great looking rig.
Trying to be realistic with myself about how often I’ll wrestle a 100#kayak all the way up top when I have a purpose built trailer and now thinking about going with a Diamondback.
I can at least strap storage to the top and still add racks if I decide I need them.

 

I’ve about decided to order one this week.
Moving my heavy Pelican case full of company issued camera gear in/out multiple X a day to be sure it’s not gonna walk off is already getting old.
Being able to lock it up securely would be a huge piece of mind.

 

That’s any impressive DIY setup. What t-slot tracks did you use. I’m leaning DB and debating whether I should go ahead and have them add the track that I’m not 100% I’ll utilize. I’d like to know it’s something I could do relatively easily later with less expensive options.

 

100 lbs.?! Yikes. Yeah, that'd be a pain. Fishing Yak?

Most of my toys, while cumbersome really aren't that heavy.

The OC-2 outrigger is almost 28' long but the main hull (without the ama and iako's) is only a few lbs. more than my 14' SUP. I put slidy-sock things on the rear pads of it's V-Rack so I just get one end up there and then slide it forward.

I thought about the DB for a moment but decided this suited my lifestyle and usage better.

 

Actually probably in the 80s empty but yes Old Town pedal drive fishing kayak.
My reason for initially wanting racks was really because I’ve had them on past trucks and SUVs (in fact adapted a set of Thule bed racks to my kayak trailer) and I have a 7’ Yakima Skybox that is convenient when we travel.
But at +$1500 you really start to evaluate your needs and being able to stack stuff on top of a tonneau will probably serve the same purpose.
If not, I can always add a used set of racks when I run across them.

 

Not sure how big your pelican is but would it fit under the back seats. Keeps it out of sight.

welcome back.

 

Thanks. It’s a 1606 rolling case and a beast when loaded. I’ve been flipping up the back seat and placing on floor but have to move it to rear to pick up kids. Then if we stop somewhere back to floorboard. Getting old fast.
It’s company equipment so if something were to happen I really need to show I made a conscious effort to protect it.
A locking Tonneau is a must and the cost of the more secure models are almost that of a Diamondback so I think that’s where I’m at.

 

I have the BAK Revolver. I cannot recommend it. The first one I received didn't sit flush and so they shipped me out a replacement (good customer service). The second one, the left latch has broken off. It leaks on the corners and the stupid corner pieces always break off. I modified mine by drilling a hole with bolts and washers just to keep the corner on. When I complained about the broken corners, they sent me like 8 of them, because they know it is an issue. Big design flaw.




If I could go back in time, I'd get a Diamondback cover for sure.

 

The tslot is all 15 series extruded aluminum. Most from tnutz and some from 80/20. Hardware is all stainless. Brackets are mostly 1/4” aluminum. Some purchased and some I cut myself. I had some 1/4” stainless brackets made by SendCutSend and used those to mount to the cover.

Test fitting the mount

 

Thanks for you honest assessment. Been back and forth with this so many times. Glad I took the time to research here. Considering the cost of those it a pretty big disappoint. I’m pretty much sold on the DB.
Gonna be out of town next week or I’d order today. I’d hate for them to ship and me not be here.

 

Diamondback SE incoming. Lots of research and self evaluation of how I’m gonna use this truck. Hoping the ability to strap stuff to the top will keep me from needing a rack system to soon. We’ll see. Thanks for all the suggestions.