MCDavis

iTrader: (1)

Home Depot and Lowes won't have them.
I sourced my aluminum from my local building supply store...it's a private hardware store that carries specialty items.

Steel would work better, but the Aluminum is sufficient really, and easier to work with tools I have at my disposal.

goneMINIcrazy

I originally had a shop cut the pieces from steel they had laying around, but I ran into rust issues, next up was 2" Aluminum from Lowe's but I had to visit 3 stores before I found a piece long enough. I would suggest aluminum up top for rust resistance, and steel on bottom for strength.

randyf22

Starting my own Hawkrules elegant solution...

fauxpas

Thanks for the updates.

bachey

I've finished my "hawkules" setup and loving it. Works great for our needs...
Was expensive as I had to buy everything from scratch. Oh well, it works great for our needs.

dartmouth01

Hi guys, new to this board, I stumbled upon this thread through Google while I was looking for a way to mount my bikes to the bed rails of my truck. I really like Hawkules set up, so I've begun to order the parts needed to copy the set up. However, I'd like to add a hinge up at the Pocket-Loks up front, so that I can swing the rack up and access the bed without having to crawl under or in between the rails. I'm stumped what the best way to do this would be, anyone have some clever ideas? I'm thinking of mounting a 1" tall riser block with a counter sunk hole for the 5/16" bolt that goes thru the Pocket-lock, and then just screwing a hinge to the block, and to the underside of the square tubing. I would put the standard bolts in the rear pocket locks.How does this sound?

Also, I've decided to go with Thule and ordered adjustable flat rails and towers that go with these, so I can adjust the distance between the bars as needed for different applications. A bit more expensive, but I wanted to have the flexibility of being able to move things around.

Thanks!

astewart

Thanks for the idea for the bike rack. Now that it's installed for a while, how's it holding up?

Hawkules

Not sure which install you are referring to. My install is coming on three years and still works perfectly. Just make sure you tighten everything down once and awhile. My rack is only on my truck a few times a year so it doesn't see the elements much. I have a bit of rust where the paint has been scratched. A paint touch up will fix that. Or use aluminum. Mine is steel. Best mod I ever did! Saves lots of room and time when camping.

MCDavis

iTrader: (1)

If referring to me...I'm coming up on 1 full year and it's still looking like the day I installed. I chose to use aluminum flat bar just in case the powdercoat chipped or scratched...which it hasn't. The little D-rings from Bak are still performing well too.

I will say that I used very liberal amounts of silicone on the bottom side of my panels to keep water intrusion at bay. Lots of folks are against modifying a new product, but in my eyes it just makes a great product better.

goneMINIcrazy

yup!