Hawkules

I don't see anything wrong with those pads. No sense spending more money. Just comes down to appearance. If you can handle the look of it then they are find. Wouldn't bother me as they will work exactly the same.

goneMINIcrazy

My cover has been on 2 trucks now, and has transported my bikes countless times as recent as yesterday with 3 bikes on top and one in the bed. The design is just as sturdy as day one. Couldn't be happier.

fauxpas

I would think either landing pad would give you enough "meat" on the bar to work. I plan on doing the install too, but I haven't gotten started yet. Worst part I think will be cutting holes in my bed rail cover (I have a short bed without the pre-cut holes).

bachey

First, thanks for all the replies. Again thanks to hawkules for helping me get started and answering all my questions. Thanks also to goneFXCrazy and fauxpas for chiming in.

I started last night with primer on the steel rails. Another coat today and then painting. Waiting for the pocket-looks to arrive.

I'm not going to lie to you, i used to have a ford f150 but our needs changed and I have a dodge hd truck now. Let me just caution anyone who wants to cut the holes out, the template on the bed rail for the pocket may OR MAY NOT be the actual pocket size. I made that mistake. Drill the center and work from there. My mistake was minor, but it could have been worse or better.

thrifty biil

Some great ideas here. I just got back from a trip, used my hitch mounted Kuat rack that I have had for several years. With the tonneau cover, this hitch rack was a major PITA.

As luck would have it, I have an old Yakima roof rack in the garage, waiting for something to do. I think I am going to copy the ideas here and do such a set up. May go simple first with just a fork mount tie down, as I have several of those laying around.

bachey

Yes, this is a great modification, especially if you have the racks laying around.
I just finished the painting rails and finally sourced the pocket-loks (took a little longer than I had planned).
Couldn't find the thick rubber washers hawkules used, so I happened to see some gym mat flooring which I used a hole saw and cut my own last night.
One more coat of pain on one side and then it's measuring and drilling time.
My rack, had to order all parts, should be here Tuesday or Wednesday. Then it's measure 5 times and hopefully drill once.

What's the distance between crossbars? It says 18" - 38". I'm not sure, but I think wider is probably better, I was thinking 32" - 36"

rgerbec

So I have a 2015 F-150 with the Bakflip VP installed. Because the seams of the tonneau cover are underneath, when the cover is folded, there won't be room at the front of the truck for the Yakima Blockheads. It looks like instead of installing the added aluminum, I could potentially mount the blockheads directly to the metal on the cover an inch forward towards the bed. What are your thoughts about that? Do you think it's a viable option?

MCDavis

iTrader: (1)

Here's a picture for you. There's enough room for the mounts when folded. These are RockyMounts Clutches.

rgerbec

I have the backflip VP and it seems like their is less room between the cover and the cab than the other modes.. Do you think I could get away with mounting directly to the metal on the cover?

MCDavis

iTrader: (1)

4.75" worth of panel between the aluminum rails on my '13s 5.5' bed