New Here Question on Yakima Overhaul HD install

Hi I am a new member with a 2007, DBL cab, 6.5' bed, 4WD Tundra SR5 with tow package. I am the original owner and the truck is in great shape, even thought it has logged a number of offroad miles (and had some minor damage repair as a result...I am on a volunteer search and rescue team so she has had a workout at times)

We have removed our camper shell and am buying a Yakima Overhaul HD rack. We are active kayakers and find that many locations are just "too tight" for our trailer when it is just the two of us and this presents better options for long distance drives as well as areas with limited parking.

"Bertha" is getting a facelift and the bed is getting line-x on Monday and I am having them remove the deck rail system, preserving the threads and setting them aside for me. I found the rails were quite limited in function when I had the camper attached to them. We love Bertha and I hope she is with us another 10 years as we go into a new phase of our life (retirement coming up in about a year) and want to have many adventures

The rack does not come with deck rail attachments and I am torn as to whether or not I really need to reinstall the rail and buy the adapters; honestly the c-clamps for this particular rack are quite clean looking.

Other than having some deck rail system functionality, is there a benefit to installing to the rail system vs using the c-clamps? I think if I miss my deck rail I could always go back and convert. I know the system has screws and plastic pins (which I assume hold rail in place for screwing it in). Where would get get replacment pins if needed assuming they will get torn up during removal.

 

Oh, one reason we went with the Yakima was the adjustable height on the crossbars and ability to line up with a yakima roof rack if we decide to use a third rail. I would prefer the kayaks did not overhang the truck at all. But, honestly, they overhang the trailer so....not sure that is really an issue.

We transport 13.5 foot 85# fishing kayaks (yes we can push them up on the racks if we go from behind-we practiced on our mid rise camper shell before we removed it ) and that is too much weight for a roof rack (not to mention loading them on to the roof rack is harder than bed racks). On our trailer the kayaks ride on PVC bunks we made and I am thinking we may try to rig similar for the yakima crossbars. I am not enthralled about kayak rack mounts for these bigger kayaks.

Not sure I agree with this guy on bunks but this is what I am talking about. If not we can look at transporting on the gunnels like a canoe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwkWXAvg-Uk

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Bump on the install question of clamps vs bed rail connectors. I would just as soon use the clamps (bed rail currently removed) than the bed rails. Is there any compelling reason to use the bed rail system for installing this?

 

Welcome from SoCal ma’am

let’s see some pics of Bertha

 

Well, all I have to post now is a truck with the bed rails removed, waiting for linex and the rail cap removed for some minor paint/rust repair. When there is soemting worth taking a picture of....

I did chat with the installer at REI where I bought it [20% off plus another 5% for the REI mastercard and they are doing additional 2% off promotion (not sure it will apply to this) and free install] anyway....he said that he was inclined to keep off the rail system and just mount it with the supplied hardware.....works for me That rail system is being moved to my wooden drawers and I am going to put D rings in the screw holes for the system. photos will be coming.