Elevate rails length

[23WhiteMav]

I have a production week assigned for my 2023 XLT Hybrid. I'm planning on getting a hard trifold cover and the Elevate CS racks. Looking for some experience from people who've added the Elevate CS with rails.

I believe I saw one YouTube video mentioning that you should add 'spacers' on either side of the Elevate rails because the rails are 50" and the Maverick bed is about 52".

But, I believe I saw another YouTube video that recommended getting a longer set of Elevate rails (I think 56" is the next length up) and then cut it down to match the bed length exactly.

Has anyone done that - cut a longer set of Elevate rails down to match the bed length better? Would current Maverick owners with the Elevate CS racks (and hard folding cover) recommend that? Or, is that not worth the extra effort and/or is likely to look bad if not done well?

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[billbillw]

Just order what RealTruck says for the Maverick. No need for any "spacers", but there are a few areas that require some additional seal material cut to length (included).

I installed according to this video:


No issues with the combination of TS rails (50") and a Sentry CT cover.

I think the video where the person cut to length was before Truxedo introduced the 50" length.

 

[SkeeterB]

I cut mine to fit and sprayed cut end with black paint. Looks fine.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

I've got the Maverick-spec length tracks, not sure where you would put additional length? The yellow line is highlighting a tapered area that is hard to see due to the shadow.

HRG

 

[Kingfish]

I didn't have to cut and followed the same video as above.

Seconding calling Real Truck and let them guide you. Bonus you may get a discount for mentioning MTC!

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I have a production week assigned for my 2023 XLT Hybrid. I'm planning on getting a hard trifold cover and the Elevate CS racks. Looking for some experience from people who've added the Elevate CS with rails.

I believe I saw one YouTube video mentioning that you should add 'spacers' on either side of the Elevate rails because the rails are 50" and the Maverick bed is about 52".

But, I believe I saw another YouTube video that recommended getting a longer set of Elevate rails (I think 56" is the next length up) and then cut it down to match the bed length exactly.

Has anyone done that - cut a longer set of Elevate rails down to match the bed length better? Would current Maverick owners with the Elevate CS racks (and hard folding cover) recommend that? Or, is that not worth the extra effort and/or is likely to look bad if not done well?

Search for = elevate rails

 

[BLachance75]

I've got the Maverick-spec length tracks, not sure where you would put additional length? The yellow line is highlighting a tapered area that is hard to see due to the shadow.

HRG

I agree that I don't think extra length would work. I didn't have much adjustment forward or back where the rail wouldn't push on the edge molding.

 

[BLachance75]

I have a production week assigned for my 2023 XLT Hybrid. I'm planning on getting a hard trifold cover and the Elevate CS racks. Looking for some experience from people who've added the Elevate CS with rails.

My hard trifold fits very tight with the Elevate rails. Tight to the point that I had to push it way harder than I'd like to get it in and to close. I took off the rails and will put them back on when I need to use the rack which will only be a few times per year.

 

[icegradner]

My hard trifold fits very tight with the Elevate rails. Tight to the point that I had to push it way harder than I'd like to get it in and to close. I took off the rails and will put them back on when I need to use the rack which will only be a few times per year.

You need to adjust the cross bars if you are using the rack, I had the same problem when I first put them on. A slight adjustment and now mine opens just fine. If I was starting from scratch though I would have got a hard rolling cover, rather than a tri-fold.

 

[breal]

My hard trifold fits very tight with the Elevate rails. Tight to the point that I had to push it way harder than I'd like to get it in and to close. I took off the rails and will put them back on when I need to use the rack which will only be a few times per year.

In the RealTruck installation video (4:18), there is a reference about removing the “thick” inside seal and use the included “thin” seal when used with tonneaus. I emailed RealTruck asking which I should use with Elevate rails and BakFlip MX4 trifold. They directed me to use the thin inside seal and the combo works great.

 

[BLachance75]

My tonneau cover rails didn’t have a seal on the inside so I didn’t add one. Maybe I’m reading the directions wrong and was supposed to replace the seal that was already on the Elevate rail but it didn’t sound like that was the case.

 

[paneubert]

My tonneau cover rails didn’t have a seal on the inside so I didn’t add one. Maybe I’m reading the directions wrong and was supposed to replace the seal that was already on the Elevate rail but it didn’t sound like that was the case.

I recall those instructions about replacing thick with thin on mine. I ignored them and the thick seal worked just fine.

 

[billbillw]

My tonneau cover rails didn’t have a seal on the inside so I didn’t add one. Maybe I’m reading the directions wrong and was supposed to replace the seal that was already on the Elevate rail but it didn’t sound like that was the case.

I don't recall my TS Rails having any seal. My Sentry CT rails had one, and I replaced it with the thin seal. You haven't mentioned which hard Tri-Fold you are using. If it is a different brand, it may not be designed to be happy with the TS Rails and you are probably wise to just use them when you need the racks installed.

 

[MetalsGeek]

I customized my Elevate rails and couldn't be happier with the fit.
I bought the 56" Elevate T-slot rails for "compact" trucks (RealTruck #TRX-1118329) and shaped the ends to match the coutours of the plastic bed edge trim. The overall length of these rails is just 3/8" short of the full length of the recess, so this part is a nearly perfect fit for those who want to customize it as I did. At the time I bought it, it was cheaper than the one for the Maverick, too. The front end of the truck trim tapers slightly as it approaches the window, so you will have to trim the outboard edge of the rail down to match, costing you the use of the first 3.75" of T-slot. On the rear, I cut the top to a constant radius to fit the plastic trim and it looks good. I also had to remove about 1-3/4" of the vertical portion of the rail (clamping surface) at the back.
However, IMHO this looks better, seals better, and is a far superior result to using the shorter ones that are cut square. Truxedo cannot spend time machining a custom fit and sell the product at the price point they need, so I totally understand why rails that actually fit well are not commercially sold. This DIY approach works well if you enjoy metalworking and are meticulous and patient with your file to dress and shape the edges after cutting, but it's not for someone who wants a simple 1-hour installation.
I find that having a uniform top surface on the side rails will make my tonneau seal better when I add that later on, although some leaks are still assured. I originally planned to use a BAK Revolver X4s but it wouldn't quite fit when the Elevate rails were installed. I ended up deciding that ANY tonneau requiring side rails was a non-starter because these aluminum extrusions are all too fragile for my world and also make reaching into the bed from the side less convenient. I have not yet found a commercial tonneau without side rails that will fit between the Elevate T-slots (55") so I may have to make my own folding version from aluminum tread plate. Nobody seems to publish this outer width information, so even the support staff at RealTruck do not know what would fit. It seems like my situation would be common, but apparently not.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

I customized my Elevate rails and couldn't be happier with the fit.
I bought the 56" Elevate T-slot rails for "compact" trucks (RealTruck #TRX-1118329) and shaped the ends to match the coutours of the plastic bed edge trim. The overall length of these rails is just 3/8" short of the full length of the recess, so this part is a nearly perfect fit for those who want to customize it as I did. At the time I bought it, it was cheaper than the one for the Maverick, too. The front end of the truck trim tapers slightly as it approaches the window, so you will have to trim the outboard edge of the rail down to match, costing you the use of the first 3.75" of T-slot. On the rear, I cut the top to a constant radius to fit the plastic trim and it looks good. I also had to remove about 1-3/4" of the vertical portion of the rail (clamping surface) at the back.
However, IMHO this looks better, seals better, and is a far superior result to using the shorter ones that are cut square. Truxedo cannot spend time machining a custom fit and sell the product at the price point they need, so I totally understand why rails that actually fit well are not commercially sold. This DIY approach works well if you enjoy metalworking and are meticulous and patient with your file to dress and shape the edges after cutting, but it's not for someone who wants a simple 1-hour installation.
I find that having a uniform top surface on the side rails will make my tonneau seal better when I add that later on, although some leaks are still assured. I originally planned to use a BAK Revolver X4s but it wouldn't quite fit when the Elevate rails were installed. I ended up deciding that ANY tonneau requiring side rails was a non-starter because these aluminum extrusions are all too fragile for my world and also make reaching into the bed from the side less convenient. I have not yet found a commercial tonneau without side rails that will fit between the Elevate T-slots (55") so I may have to make my own folding version from aluminum tread plate. Nobody seems to publish this outer width information, so even the support staff at RealTruck do not know what would fit. It seems like my situation would be common, but apparently not.

So where are the pics?

HRG

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