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Custom Fabrication DepartmentThis is the section to discuss any and all custom work that you've done or had made that may not be available on the retail market.
I've been trying to source an adjustable truck rack with the following criteria:
1. Can accommodate ~ 700 pounds.
2. Can accept a roof top tent.
3. Can be adjusted to be at least 1' below the top of the cab, perhaps even flush with the top of the bed.
4. Can be raised to allow an ATV to be hauled beneath.
5. Easily removable.
The general idea is to have a rack that allows me to carry a roof top tent that will be below the roof to help with fuel economy, center of gravity, as well as protect the tent from limbs and such while also giving me the option to raise it up and allow me to load an ATV *and* bring along the tent.
I've spent a few days searching for manufactured options and can find some of the features that I want, but not all. Generally, it's either a weight bearing issue or they don't adjust as low as I need.
I've got an idea of how to make something like this out of channel struts and tubing but can't figure out what sort of clamps to use to mount to the side of the bed. I'm also concerned about the aluminum sides perhaps not being rugged enough to hold up to what I'm asking of it.
Considering the options of 1- building one yourself ($300+) or 2- buying a truck cap ($2,000+), that's a pretty cool idea (IF your don't care about your gear being exposed to the elements or thievery).
700 lb capacity is going to very likely limit you to custom options only. You can find fixed racks that will accommodate that amount of weight but adjustable is going to be tough with that sort of capacity.
I've been trying to source an adjustable truck rack with the following criteria:
1. Can accommodate ~ 700 pounds.
2. Can accept a roof top tent.
3. Can be adjusted to be at least 1' below the top of the cab, perhaps even flush with the top of the bed.
4. Can be raised to allow an ATV to be hauled beneath.
5. Easily removable.
The general idea is to have a rack that allows me to carry a roof top tent that will be below the roof to help with fuel economy, center of gravity, as well as protect the tent from limbs and such while also giving me the option to raise it up and allow me to load an ATV *and* bring along the tent.
I've spent a few days searching for manufactured options and can find some of the features that I want, but not all. Generally, it's either a weight bearing issue or they don't adjust as low as I need.
I've got an idea of how to make something like this out of channel struts and tubing but can't figure out what sort of clamps to use to mount to the side of the bed. I'm also concerned about the aluminum sides perhaps not being rugged enough to hold up to what I'm asking of it.
I spoke to a rep there yesterday who indicated that the rack has an 800 lb capacity and is adjustable.
Thule also makes the Xporter Rack, which I think is 800lbs. Correction, Xsporter. Rated at 450lbs.
Trac Rac makes a rack that you can slide forward on the bed rail so both arcs ride right behind the cab.
Personally, I'm looking for heavy duty ultra low profile rack to go over my 23" cap and still get me into a 7ft parking garage when I work in the metropolis. Measuring from the tailgate and adding in for the cap, I have 3.75" till I hit 7ft, so I've really got only about 2.75 vertical inches to work with. Right now I have a Cross Tread Renegade XT that mounts on the rail and holds 750lbs. I had Cross Tread cut it 2" shorter for my 2001 (so it's at 6ft 10.75") but the 2016 f150 is regrettably taller. I'm not really keen on mounting a rack to the DCU roof as it drops the weight capacity.
Last edited by dirtyfingers; 05-20-2017 at 12:42 AM.
Reason: alzheimer's
I've been trying to source an adjustable truck rack with the following criteria:
1. Can accommodate ~ 700 pounds.
2. Can accept a roof top tent.
3. Can be adjusted to be at least 1' below the top of the cab, perhaps even flush with the top of the bed.
4. Can be raised to allow an ATV to be hauled beneath.
5. Easily removable.
The general idea is to have a rack that allows me to carry a roof top tent that will be below the roof to help with fuel economy, center of gravity, as well as protect the tent from limbs and such while also giving me the option to raise it up and allow me to load an ATV *and* bring along the tent.
I've spent a few days searching for manufactured options and can find some of the features that I want, but not all. Generally, it's either a weight bearing issue or they don't adjust as low as I need.
I've got an idea of how to make something like this out of channel struts and tubing but can't figure out what sort of clamps to use to mount to the side of the bed. I'm also concerned about the aluminum sides perhaps not being rugged enough to hold up to what I'm asking of it.
01-25-2017, 10:14 PM
Adjustable rack for roof top tent?
