Tonneau cover under custom rack

[gmajor]

Hi folks! First post so I hope I didn't choose the wrong subforum or unintentionally breach any etiquette...

Anyway, I've been looking at Tacomas, debating between the axess cab long bed or double cab short bed. If I go with the former I'll get a shell and mod the inside of course. If I get the latter, though, I'm going to go the roof top tent route.

My question is: I really like the function and look of racks such as the ones I've posted below, but I'm moving to the PacNW and am quite outdoorsy. I want some sort of rain protection for gear in the bed. Is there a tonneau cover that will work with such racks?




Thanks!

 

[justrom]

I've never found one, though searching here and on TacomaWorld a couple people claim to have rigged up something that works using a soft "roll up" tonneau cover. I don't know how really waterproof they are though. We've gone to waterproof bags or boxes for stuff that is stored in the bed and can't get wet. If you really have to keep the whole bed dry it is probably time to consider a cap/topper and put the RTT on a rack.

 

[iowafj]

I heavily modified a tonno pro lo-roll cover to work with my bed rack.

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[justrom]

Do you have a build thread or some detailed pictures that show how you bolted the rails of the tonneau, bed rack, and bed rails together? I've never been able to puzzle out a way to make it work.

 

[iowafj]

I took a few pictures. My bed rack bolts to the stock Tacoma track inside the bed. That made the indie of the bed too narrow for the tonneau cover .

the biggest modification was cutting off the whole length of the aluminum tonneau cover rails.

this is the bracket that mounts the tonneau cover rails to the track on the truck. I had to hammer the curved edge flat because the tonneau cover rails will be sitting higher than they should.

in this picture you can kinda see how it's sitting up on top of the bed rack. Also had to notch the tonneau cover rails little to fit around the bars on the bed rack. I hope that all makes a little sense. If you want to know anymore I would be glad to help.


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[justrom]

That helps, thank you. I'm not quite ready to tackle a project that big yet. Hopefully your example will inspire others to give it a shot as well.

 

[iowafj]

I didn't think it would be such a big deal to get it to fit. The 2 I saw on tacomaworld made it seem like it would be pretty simple to fit a tonneau cover to a bed rack. It took all day to get it done.


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[TRUBRIT]

If you just want rain protection, go to a Canvas shop that makes covers and Bimini tops for boats. Have it fitted to the rack and then mount the RTT on top. Have it so it zips on all corners and you can roll the sides and back up for access. They can also sew in plastic panels front and back so you can see out the back when driving.

 

[trottier.daniel]

Hi, it seems a good idea. Do you have any pictures of your setup?

 

[TRUBRIT]

I have not done it on mine but I have seen a few pics on here