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I received an email back from Handetrack. They tried it, and it seems to work:
Hi xxxx,
Thank you for writing in!
I was unsure whether the HandETrack would fit properly in the BoxLink systems, so we went out and tried it on a 2017 Raptor. We were able to install the HandETrack in the system vertically, but not horizontally. So, yes they will work and fit well, at least when installed vertically.
I have attached a few pictures to show you what we found. Let me know if you have any questions, we are here to help.
So how are you supposed to utilize these? Do they make brackets or anything that attach to them or are these used under the premise you will fabricate something yourself?
So how are you supposed to utilize these? Do they make brackets or anything that attach to them or are these used under the premise you will fabricate something yourself?
These are not designed for the BoxLink plates... but they seem to work. If I am to use them, I’ll buy or make brackets to attach load bars to them. The threaded holes are standard sizes, so all it would require is a little creativity.
I know they are made for e-track (looked at the first link) but the website has precious little information about then. They show them with some kind of clips or something attached to them but make no mention of what they are.
I can see the appeal for a bolt-in load bar possibly...although as I found when trying to make a wood one using regular e-track adapters, the fact that the boxlink plates are further in than the top and rear of the bed makes getting something in there that fits kind of a pain in the ***.
...the fact that the boxlink plates are further in than the top and rear of the bed makes getting something in there that fits kind of a pain in the ***.
It’s not only the plates... and not only the top and rear. Even with the cleats mounted (at least, the older versions), the inboard faces of the cleats don’t stick out beyond the inner bed sides. That is why I started this thread almost two years ago.
I would agree, it's definitely not ideal. Can make for a handy tiedown area with e-track rings but otherwise it's hard to use for much else.
I was trying to make a load bar using e-track beam brackets with sliding ends using the slotted holes in the brackets...but even when it clears the plates it won't clear the effing bed rails or back of the bed where it narrows back down. Ugh
I was trying to make a load bar using e-track beam brackets with sliding ends using the slotted holes in the brackets...but even when it clears the plates it won't clear the effing bed rails or back of the bed where it narrows back down. Ugh
I’m having custom aluminum brackets fabricated that bolt up to the 2018-up BoxLink brackets—the ones with the vertical holes—and then allow mounting of transverse load bars. If I had known about the Handetrack product, I might have gone about it a little differently. I still might.
My brackets will rely on the shear strength of the BoxLink cleats at the point where they’re inserted into the plate. A Handetrack project would rely on the shear strength of the fasteners where they’re threaded into the Handetrack. I think the cleats are stronger (maybe), but Handetrack is way easier.
Coming back to this thread... I still haven't had my brackets made. I've been sitting on these DXF and DFT files for months. I don't know where I can get them made cheaply. Here's a not-to-scale PNG of the bracket I designed. The finished CAD file has additional fillets that smooth out the angles a bit.
Handetrack and Boxlink???
