I was wondering what everyone is using to attach their camper shells, Flip Pacs, etc to the 2005 and newer Tacomas? I have the headache rack and bed rails completed for my truck and have been considering changing the mounting design depending on the ideas I see others are using. Has anyone had any problems with the beds cracking due to the different shells being attached? Thanks.
Attaching shells
- Thread starter CodyB
- Start date
NothingClever
Explorer
Regular 'ol hardware store c-clamps :sombrero: .
Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
The newer Tacoma’s have a composite bed, and a built in track that runs on the inside of the bed rail. We make a clamp that slides into the track and clamps onto the AT FlipPac.
What's nice about the camp system is it utilizes the already existing track, allows for easy removal of the AT FlipPac, and doesn't damage either.
It's still possible to drill through the bed rail and attach the AT FlipPac with bolts, but this creates permanent holes.
The traditional shell clamps may also be a solution, but I think you'd need to check first if any damage would be done to the composite material that the bed if formed out of.
What's nice about the camp system is it utilizes the already existing track, allows for easy removal of the AT FlipPac, and doesn't damage either.
It's still possible to drill through the bed rail and attach the AT FlipPac with bolts, but this creates permanent holes.
The traditional shell clamps may also be a solution, but I think you'd need to check first if any damage would be done to the composite material that the bed if formed out of.
WASURF63
Adventurer
CodyB,
Martyn's suggestion is your best option for solid attachment of your camper shell to your '05+ Tacoma. Clamps aren't as secure to theft and are easily removed by hand.
Your '05+ Tacoma bedrails are plenty tough!
I had a Leer fiberglass canopy, and 100lb steel bedrack with RTT, Hannibal awning, and dual fuel cans mounted to it, all resting on the bedrails for the last couple years.
Removed / sold the whole setup recently and not one crack or trace of damage to my '08 Tacoma bedrails.
Hope that helps to answer some of your ?'s.
Good luck... WS
I've had a lot of luck with using the rails on my 07 for attachment methods. I was skeptical at first but after 80,000 miles with all sorts of stuff bolted to them, they're a little tweaked in places but overall holding up well.
For my RTT I made brackets out of 1" steel angle ~4" long with 2 3/8" holes and modified strut channel nuts, worked great and a all around cheap/simple solution.
For my RTT I made brackets out of 1" steel angle ~4" long with 2 3/8" holes and modified strut channel nuts, worked great and a all around cheap/simple solution.
WASURF63, did you use the tracks inside the bed or did you bolt through the bedrails? Thanks for ideas.
WASURF63
Adventurer
Drilled thru the canopy in four spots and tied into the tracks with bolts, a drilled/machined piece that slides into the tracks, and secured with lock nuts.
WS
Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
We use multiple strips of automotive rubber bulb seal when we do the install.
Be glad to supply it for you.
Thanks Martyn. I'm also on the fence of whether to get spray-in liner over the bed rails.. Based on your experience, would that affect the ability to weather seal a camper shell (even with bulb seals) ?
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
Let me point out a couple of things, though:
First of all, if you plan on taking the shell on and off, having multiple layers of camper seal (of any kind) will make it more difficult to get the camper seated. It's not unusual to have to put the shell on and then slide it around a bit until it "pops" into place and that can often tear up the sealing material.
Second: In my experience, the juncture between the shell and the bed is not terribly prone to water leakage (at least not on any of my shells) particularly since the design of most shells has the shell itself "overhanging" the bed edge by a bit - water would have to be coming in sideways to get in.
Now, dust is a different matter but then, you have to remember that unless you seal the entire bed, there's not much point in sealing the juncture between the cab and the shell. On most of my trucks, the vast, vast majority of the dust seemed to enter through the tailgate opening, which, unlike a car door, does not usually have weather stripping.
Also remember that some beds have vents on the floor that also need to be covered or plugged to prevent dust from getting in.
EDITED TO ADD: If you're asking me for a solution to the dust issue, I don't have one. Dust was one of the primary factors that caused me to change from a pickup with a shell to an SUV. I got tired of having to sleep on a bed of dust every night and there didn't seem to be anything I could do to prevent the dust from getting all over everything in the shell.
soonenough
Explorer
It's not as eloquent a solution, but I mounted my toolbox to the bed rails using 3/8" (IIRC) bolts and washers from a hardware store. I tried a few different sizes until I found the correct size washer that would fit inside the rails but not be able to slip out the opening in the face of the rail. If you put 2 - 3 washers in there with a 3/8" bolt sticking out, your mounting options are nearly limitless. You have to take the little plastic end caps off the rails and slide the washers in from the end though, as they won't fit out the opening in the rail (which is a good thing).
I can tell you that this mounting method is very stout. I have a total of 8 bolts securing the toolbox to the bed rails (2 on each side and 4 across the back), and if you push and pull on the toolbox, it moves the entire truck.