Cheap DIY bed rack that works with tonneau cover

[TheSEARCH]

In this last pic, it looks like it is a DIY roof rack. Is that what it is? If so, are there instructions?

I first got my Mav August 2023. I already had Yakima cross bars on last vehicle. So I had the bars the base feet and only needed what is called a clip kit to installed two cross bars on Cab,.

This Spring I got the bed Rails then got the TNutz uprights and amazon cross bars. I ONLY added ONE rear cross bar. The others in this thread added TWO bed cross bars. Bed cross bars are two close together and to far back for long kayaks like 16 or 17 plus long boats I haul. So for cab cross bars you need to buy a kit which is pricey. BUT I already had MOST of it. It all depends on what you want to haul . I can now load from the back of truck which is much better than loading onto JUST the cab bars from the side. Plus much more stable.

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[Momotoji]

Hi, inspires by your photos and ideas, I would like to do something similar but with the cross bar that's more flush to the vertical bars.

Would you in know if the distance between the far left edge of the vertical bar and far right edge of the vertical bar?

My guess would be around 58 inches but would like to be sure before I order.
Unfortunately I don't yet have the elevate rails to measure myself .

Thanks

 

[Blacksmith]

The distance is 57.75

 

[Momotoji]

The distance is 57.75

That is amazing. Thank you so much for such a quick reply

 

[Blacksmith]

By the way, I'd like to add the third cross beam above the roof to carry not only this small toy but also my full size canoe

 

[Momotoji]

Do you notice any swaying of sort from each racks (front & back)?
I've created a parts list from a supplier but was wondering if it'd be necessary to add another cross bar to connect the 2 racks (eg. so it looks like "H" looking from side of the truck).

My plan is to carry a rooftop cargobox so weight of it won't be too much. Max maybe 100lbs or so.

 

[Blacksmith]

Yep, I'm thinking about connecting both crossbeam with two simple beams. It will add stability to the whole system and a couple of attachments points ( can attach long showel or something else there). But in general it's not required. System is stable on its own

 

[Tommy_Tenor]

Yep, it's definitely flexible. You can attach as many tight downs as you need. Or just remove unneeded

Thanks for all the information on this bed rack. I want to do something similar. I do like that you moved the front rack closer to the cab and put another brace there. Where did you get that long angle brace? Thanks again......

 

[Tommy_Tenor]

Do you notice any swaying of sort from each racks (front & back)?
I've created a parts list from a supplier but was wondering if it'd be necessary to add another cross bar to connect the 2 racks (eg. so it looks like "H" looking from side of the truck).

My plan is to carry a rooftop cargobox so weight of it won't be too much. Max maybe 100lbs or so.

I would also like to use my existing roof top box and this would be a great set up to allow that. Hopefully you will share some pictures of your project. I just got my Mav last week and have installed the Elevate Rack rails along with the Leer HF650M cover. It all works great so far. I'm working on the plans for the bed rack. Thanks!

 

[Blacksmith]

Thanks for all the information on this bed rack. I want to do something similar. I do like that you moved the front rack closer to the cab and put another brace there. Where did you get that long angle brace? Thanks again......

I bought everything from McMaster-CARR
There are a couple of types of braces there, with different length, hole size, material, color

 

[Momotoji]

I would also like to use my existing roof top box and this would be a great set up to allow that. Hopefully you will share some pictures of your project. I just got my Mav last week and have installed the Elevate Rack rails along with the Leer HF650M cover. It all works great so far. I'm working on the plans for the bed rack. Thanks!

I've been so busy that I didn't have a chance to put it on the truck yet. But I will for sure post some pics when I do. Hopefully this week or weekend

 

[Momotoji]

I finally had some time to wash the truck and put the rack on.

For those of you in Canada, let me know if you'd like parts list. The extrusions and hardware cost me around 500 including shipping and tax.

The elevate racks are around 1300 without tax when I looked into it.

In hindsight, I think I could've had the vertical pieces maybe 2 inches shorter but I can cut them when i feel the need.

 

[TheSEARCH]

I finally had some time to wash the truck and put the rack on.

For those of you in Canada, let me know if you'd like parts list. The extrusions and hardware cost me around 500 including shipping and tax.

The elevate racks are around 1300 without tax when I looked into it.

In hindsight, I think I could've had the vertical pieces maybe 2 inches shorter but I can cut them when i feel the need.

Your bars and gussets look identical to mine which in the states I got from Tnutz as they were the lowest cost from them that I could find .

 

[Tommy_Tenor]

I finally had some time to wash the truck and put the rack on.

For those of you in Canada, let me know if you'd like parts list. The extrusions and hardware cost me around 500 including shipping and tax.

The elevate racks are around 1300 without tax when I looked into it.

In hindsight, I think I could've had the vertical pieces maybe 2 inches shorter but I can cut them when i feel the need.

Wow, that looks great!! I like that color Mav. Do the "H" cross beams make the whole set up seem more solid (not that the original setup isn't solid, I have yet to put mine together)? What fasteners did you use between the extrusion pieces? And what length would you recommend for the vertical pieces? I'd be interested to see how your rooftop box fits up there. My box is for my skis and is long enough that I will probably have to deal with the antenna being in the way. I'm thinking of moving the box to one side, but I'll have to overhang the cross bars one way or the other for it to fit. The other option for me would be to move the box way back so that it over hangs the back of the truck a foot or two. I might also try getting a stubby antenna, but hate to lose too much reception. Anyway, thanks for the pics and tolerating my questions!

 

[Momotoji]

Wow, that looks great!! I like that color Mav. Do the "H" cross beams make the whole set up seem more solid (not that the original setup isn't solid, I have yet to put mine together)? What fasteners did you use between the extrusion pieces? And what length would you recommend for the vertical pieces? I'd be interested to see how your rooftop box fits up there. My box is for my skis and is long enough that I will probably have to deal with the antenna being in the way. I'm thinking of moving the box to one side, but I'll have to overhang the cross bars one way or the other for it to fit. The other option for me would be to move the box way back so that it over hangs the back of the truck a foot or two. I might also try getting a stubby antenna, but hate to lose too much reception. Anyway, thanks for the pics and tolerating my questions!

I haven't tried it without the H cross beams. But I can imagine without it, it'll still be strong.
I hung my 180lbs body from the bars and it's solid.

For connecting extrusion pieces where you don't see connectors, I used the anchor fastener method. Basically there's a counterbore hole with some hardware that goes into the 90 degree part. Hard to explain in words but if you google "anchor fastener" you'll see what I mean. Supposedly it's the strongest type.

For the roof box, I'll probably give it a try tomorrow and will take a picture. One concern I have is the shape of my u bolt and the 1.5in x 1.5in extrusion. Should be ok, but if not, I can 3d print some kind of spacer.

By the way, since I have a 3d printer, I printed some TPU pads and washers where the metals contact (0.2mm thick) to prevent scratches.

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