RTT platform for 05+ Tacoma: Let me bounce this one off you guys

[Tim A]

Looking to build an easy, inexpensive and sturdy RTT platform over the bed of my Tacoma. I want to construct the platform using 3/8" hardware (vs welding) so that I can disassemble it for storage.

I'm planning on 5' sticks of steel angle iron to attach to the Tacoma's bed tracks (thanks for the idea frozenground!). This should evenly distribute the weight of the RTT and occupants. I'll attach 4 thule load bars, at equal intervals, to the horizontal leg of the angle iron using 3/8" hardware. The RTT will attach to the load bars. My reasoning for having 4 load bars span the bed is to further disribute weight (perhaps that's overkill?)

There will be a small gap between the horizontal leg of the angle iron and the plastic bedrail cap to accommodate the head of a 3/8" bolt. I'm thinking that it shouldn't matter too much as most of the weight will be on the c-channel bed tracks, which are stronger.

Any input on this design is appreciated! Cheers :smiley_drive:

Edit: Here's a sketch. The dimensions aren't accurate and it doesn't show the hardware...but I'm not proficient with Sketch Up.

 

[XPEDITIONREADY]

I am looking for a similar design....so build it and post up lots of pictures please

 

[Mechanical]

Check out the following link about half way down. A post from relentlesstaco. I think this is similar to the setup setup you are looking for.

http://ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73261&page=333

 

[Tim A]

I am looking for a similar design....so build it and post up lots of pictures please

Haha yeah I'm in the process of acquiring materials. Looking for used load bars to keep the cost down.

Check out the following link about half way down. A post from relentlesstaco. I think this is similar to the setup setup you are looking for.

http://ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73261&page=333

That's the idea. It looks the guy in the black Tacoma has used actual feet (Thule, Yakima, etc) to secure his load bars. I'm gonna try just bolting the load bars to the angle iron.

I realize my rambling in the first post may not make sense. I'm trying to draw it up in Google Sketch so I can give you guys a visual aid haha.

 

[Tim A]

I updated the original post with a sketch.

 

[fire931]

Sounds like your idea should work easy enough. You could make a few tweaks that might improve it just a bit like not having the spacing for the head of the bolt between the load bars and the angle iron. How do you plan to attach the angle iron? Bolt it down behind the track system??


We do bolt in bed cross bars that I've been wanting to see someone use for a RTT but it sounds like your wanting to build yourself which I can totally respect!

 

[Tim A]

Sounds like your idea should work easy enough. You could make a few tweaks that might improve it just a bit like not having the spacing for the head of the bolt between the load bars and the angle iron. How do you plan to attach the angle iron? Bolt it down behind the track system??


We do bolt in bed cross bars that I've been wanting to see someone use for a RTT but it sounds like your wanting to build yourself which I can totally respect!

Thanks for the input. I plan on attaching the angle iron to the bed tracks with strut/channel nuts. I would like to be able to remove the tent rack without removing the bed track.

The ATO bed bars are slick...do you think they'd take the weight without damaging the truck bed?

 

[18seeds]

i don't think you really ned 4 cross bars. I was going to do something similiar to what your are thinking but decided on this.

I took the entire rack set up off the tacoma when i sold the truck. If you are interested in it send me a pm

 

[Tim A]

i don't think you really ned 4 cross bars. I was going to do something similiar to what your are thinking but decided on this.


I took the entire rack set up off the tacoma when i sold the truck. If you are interested in it send me a pm

That's definitely clean looking but was it sturdy? The plastic bedrail caps seem kinda flimsy to be using them as a base.

 

[stroM-]

This is a pretty sweet idea, although you may want to think about bed storage still. If the rack is flush with the top of the bed rails you will not be able to stick an action packer, ice chest, etc underneath. You will need at least 19'' of clearance from the bed to the bar. Just food for thought!

Have you thought about going with more of the bed cage route to maintain your visibility out the rear window while still running a RTT?

 

[Tim A]

This is a pretty sweet idea, although you may want to think about bed storage still. If the rack is flush with the top of the bed rails you will not be able to stick an action packer, ice chest, etc underneath. You will need at least 19'' of clearance from the bed to the bar. Just food for thought!

Have you thought about going with more of the bed cage route to maintain your visibility out the rear window while still running a RTT?

Good thinking I'll have to make sure I leave room for that stuff. I don't what you mean by bed cage...

 

[18seeds]

My rack was very solid. The tracks were attached directly to the metal bed with rivnuts. I thought I would need 3 bars but 2 did just fine. The last thing you want to do with a taco is add more weight than needed

 

[fire931]

Thanks for the input. I plan on attaching the angle iron to the bed tracks with strut/channel nuts. I would like to be able to remove the tent rack without removing the bed track.

The ATO bed bars are slick...do you think they'd take the weight without damaging the truck bed?

Easily. I've balanced on top of one of them and jumped up and down, plenty sturdy. As for the bedsides, the way they sit on them they won't do any damage to the truck.

 

[Tim A]

My rack was very solid. The tracks were attached directly to the metal bed with rivnuts. I thought I would need 3 bars but 2 did just fine. The last thing you want to do with a taco is add more weight than needed

Ah, it's been awhile since I removed the bed caps, I forgot that there was steel under there. I'm surprised more people don't go this route, maybe even with the Front Runner rack that uses tracks.

 

[18seeds]

the reason i didn't mount flush with the bed rails is because it would not allow my arb fridge to be stored in the bed.