Drilling the bed rails...

[mauricio_28]

I'd like to make my own bed cover. What are the DOs and DON'Ts of drilling the bed rails? Is there anything else to it besides applying anti-rust and corrosion lube to the resulting holes and some sort of rubberized strips between the truck's rails and other metal surfaces? It's pretty much common sense, ain't it?

 

[theMec]

I'm no expert but many of the commerical shells/caps/toppers/canopies clamp the top to the bed rails. So maybe you don't have to drill. I think Ford has a plastic cover on their bed rails so if you have a ford, that might be problematic. My Leer, which is on it's way out, has a rubber strip between the shell and the metal. Hope this helps.

Also this guy, who is one this group, built a wood camper. Might be good info for you. Info here ->
http://cheaprvliving.com/BuildYourOwnCamper.html
I think he goes by Alaskan Bob.

 

[madizell]

Years ago, most of the camper shells were bolted down by simply drilling through the shell rail and bed rail. If the cover you have in mind is light and you can access the bottom side of the rail, you should have no problems drilling and bolting about wherever you need to. If there will be some load and you are concerned about it, use fender washers as metal doublers under the rail to spread out the strain.

It should be, as you say, just a matter of common sense.