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Tailgate Saver

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by Jassper, Jul 14, 2017.

  1. Jul 14, 2017 at 9:20 AM
    #1
    Jassper

    Jassper [OP] New Member

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    Recently the wife and I went camping. We wanted to bring our kayaks, no problem. I have a BAKFlip Tonneau cover, I'll just have to leave it flipped open, no problem. The issue came when accessing our gear stored under the kayaks. Every time I open the tailgate, I have to wrestle with the kayaks.

    All of the Truck racks I looked at were not temporary racks and required bolting and/or drilling. No to mention they were exspensive, anywhere from $300 - $600. I just wanted something temporary to hold my Kayaks, So I came up with this idea.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Kayaks are easy to get in and out and I'm not dragging them over the tailgate or over the sides. It soon became apparent that it will be great for hauling lumber also and keep the weight of the boards off the tailgate.

    The system is inexpensive and temporary. It simply lifts out of the well holes when done and it plays nice with any cover that fits between the wells. It's all Aluminum and won't rust and survived 80 mph for over 100 miles. ;)
     
    BOBONTUESDAY, T500, Law323 and 4 others like this.
  2. Jul 14, 2017 at 10:21 AM
    #2
    Tacogrande

    Tacogrande New Member

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    Is that 80 20?
    I haul hardwood lumber all the time...lots of it . Tailgates can handle it.
    What keeps the uprights in place?
     
  3. Jul 14, 2017 at 10:26 AM
    #3
    Jassper

    Jassper [OP] New Member

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    It's 40mm x 40mm alum extrusion. The uprights fit snug in the wells on either side. Once weight is on them, or in this case the Kayaks secure it doesn't move.
     
  4. Jul 14, 2017 at 1:24 PM
    #4
    Bprose

    Bprose Old member

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    I bought this adjustable rack for under $100. Instead of drilling holes to mount it to the top of the bed rails I welded some flat stock to the piece of the rack that fits inside the bed rail. Then I bolt it to the factory bed rail cargo track. It comes on and off in about 5 minutes and no holes in the truck. IMG_0975.jpg
     
    T500 likes this.
  5. Jul 14, 2017 at 1:53 PM
    #5
    Jassper

    Jassper [OP] New Member

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    That's a good idea too - was the rack used? I didn't find anything new for under $250.
    I would like to make another set to get the Kayaks up over the cab, then I can close my cover and keep my gear dry. I need to come up with a easy way to lock them in so they can't rock back and forth in the well holes.
     
  6. Jul 14, 2017 at 2:43 PM
    #6
    Bprose

    Bprose Old member

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  7. Jul 15, 2017 at 8:07 AM
    #7
    Bprose

    Bprose Old member

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    Something I didn't think about before is if you cut the rack at the bend in the factory angle iron, and weld in s 1x3 piece of angle. You can probably still use the toneu cover to secure your gear. And still mount the rack to the rail mount system.
     

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