Billie Bars. Anyone used them?

Instagram knows I have a Tacoma and advertised a product called Billie Bars to me the other day (https://billiebars.com/products/bed-bars-for-tacoma-trucks). They appear to be a new alternative to the KB Voodoo Hi-Rise Crossbars, including the ability to work with a tonneau cover. Has anyone used them? If so, what are your thoughts? I was considering the KB Voodoo bars until I saw some of the experiences of other users with that company on here.

 

I got them and thought they were great heavy duty and did not show any of the faults kB voodoo customers may have had. They do work like the kB voodoo so you can use with a cover. I ended up going a different route with the Yakima overhaul and the the retrax pro. Ended up selling them just a couple weeks ago. If I was going that bed bar route def would have no problem buying them again

 

Mobtown also makes a set similar to those

 

That’s the Billie bar brackets with front runner leg and rack. Very stout brackets

 

I like that set up!

 

Do the Billie Bars interfere with the operation of retractable covers like the Pace Edwards Switchblade? Seems like the fact that they narrow the distance between the two side rails for the tonneau by 3/8" might cause the retractable cover to cinch up?

 

@BillieBars
Maybe he can help

 

Any additional/closer pictures you can share? Thanks.

 

I know nothing about Billie Bars but when Billy Badass walks into a bar...Great movie and great book:

https://youtu.be/X1pdy4MFlq4

 

Just installed them and love it so far!

 

awynne56 do you have a build thread on this? Did you use the tacoma specific slimeline II load bed rack kit? Did you have to fabricate any custom bracket or attachment points?

 

I modified front runner bed bars to fit then fit into the Billy bars mount. I have since moved to the retrax and yakama

 

What’s the name to that bike rack?

 

Low (5”) Billie Bars. Getting the Molle panels soon. Great product and @BillieBars has great customer service.

 

Interesting, seems a few people have moved away from these when moving to a retrax tonneau... I actually came across billiebars when looking for retrax compatible bars. Does any one have experience with the bars below and a Retrax tonneau?

https://billiebars.com/collections/billiebars-retrax-and-pace-edwards-with-t-slots-rack/products/billiebars-tacoma-retrax-and-pace-edwards-t-slot-rack


I'm looking at moving away from my bedrack, I need a closable tonneau, need to be able to run easily mountable rack/bars so I can mount my Roof-top tent. I regularly need to be able to use the bed of the truck, so figured I need a system where I can get the rack/bars and tent on quickly, a retrax and compatible billiebars seem a good option, so I'm keen to hear people's thoughts. I'm thinking I could always leave the front bar on and simply remove the tent and rear bar and have full bed access.

I'm really really interested to see If anyone is running the 17" retrax compatible bars, I'm wondering if I could fit a mountain bike under these using a tailgate pad, with a shortbed. I feel it would be a tight fit but the 24" is too big a jump.

The alternative I'd be looking at would be another rack; the retrax compatible uptop overland truss rack:
https://www.uptopoverland.com/products/truss-tacoma-retrax-bed-rack

I know this would not be removed or added as easily as the billiebars, but it does seem light so easier than most racks. I can't help but think it's much better value, the retrax compatible billiebars seem very expensive for what they are. Keen to hear of any up top overland/retrax experiences.

 

Check these out: https://www.kbvoodoo.com/all-prox-crossbars/prox-tacoma-crossbars-2016-and-up-retrax

Or these: https://www.max-modular.com/attachment-brackets/retraxone-xr-brackets

Along with one of these: https://www.max-modular.com/toyota-tacoma-years-2005-to-present

 

A belated 'thanks' KB Voodoo! I hadn't considered a lower profile set of bars like the PRO-X, but this could be a good option for me, as I'd be able to easily add/remove my RTT with a minimal setup like this. Thinking I could leave the RTT attached to the bars permanently and the tent plus the bars would be light enough to lift off (with two people) in one go.

Do you know the rough weight of these bars? it would be for a 5' bed, retrax cover.

 

Check out the ones from @drtfabrication Derek builds his stuff solid with beautiful welds.

https://www.drt-fabrication.com/product/2005-tacoma-lo-pro-bedbars

 

A set of two bars weighs 41 lbs