Billie Bars

Hi all,

I am considering buying the Billie Bar rack.

Does anyone have experience with these? More specifically experience using it with an Undercover Flex/UltraFlex Tonneau cover

Bars for reference - https://billiebars.com/products/bed-bars-for-tacoma-trucks

 

Blows my mind how 4 bent pieces of metal and 2 aluminum extrusions can be sold for $500.

 

Do you have any other brands that will fit with a tonneau cover installed?

 

There are a few companies that make them, prices vary, but just google "tacoma bed bars with tonneau" and you will get a few results.

https://www.kbvoodoo.com/shop/toyot...-use-with-tonneau-covers-fits-years-2005-2016

 

Sort of applies to just about every aftermarket bolt-on that many hemorrhage cash on, to a degree.

 

I second KB Voodoo. I was just about to recommend them.

 

Oh for sure, I see most of the aftermarket parts for a tacoma and the prices just seem way way high. Its really bad for simple things like these bed bars. The extruded aluminum comes in long beams that they are just cutting down, the 4 mounts are just steel thats bent into a Z and powder coated... its like $50 worth of steel (with labor to bend it) and maybe $100 worth of extrusion.

 

I built an entire roof rack for my GX470 out of extrusion, including 1/4” aluminum mounts and all hardware for ~$400. These companies are charging a lot of money for their time and 4 brackets/misc hardware I guess? Cause extrusion is relatively cheap.

 

https://www.mcmaster.com/t-slots/t-slotted-framing-rails/

40mm x 80mm t slot rail 10f black anodized = $193

https://fastmetals.com/products/1-4...kqnWe6rh2U__pfGPprTEMIYe6HRkS54BoC4MwQAvD_BwE

1/4 inch x 4 inch steel plate 3f = $15

Can of spray paint = $6

misc bolts = $10

They are charging $270 in labor to make 2 cuts in aluminum, and bend 4 pieces of steel.


And keep in mind these are retail prices I used that do not reflect buying in bulk that these companies can do.

 

The Voodoos have 500lb static limit while the Billies have 1000

Wanting to put a hard top folding tent on top and 2 normal sized people. 500 is cutting it close

 

The only reference I see to billie bar weight rating is from reviews. Either way, 500lbs is more than enough.

EDIT: found it on a different page.

 

Gotcha i'll weigh the options. The folks at billie bars told me 500 dynamic 1000 static. The tent weighs about 150 alone.

 

I have the Billie bars with a Smittybilt RTT. Easy install with the factory flip bed cover, didn’t even have to remove it. Holds us fine and love that the tent sits below the top of the cab when closed up! Taking first real road trip this week about 10 hrs away. Took a while to get here but definitely worth the wait.

 

anyone notice any wind noise with the bars given that they extend outboard of the bed more than most other heavy duty bed rack systems?

 

ive had both voodoo and billiebars, and 100% recommend billiebars, they are better designed, they wont rust, they are stronger, easier to take on and off. I normally drive with them off since I leave them attached to my RTT, and its so simple to drop the tent back in the bases 4 screws and off we go.

my voodoo's rusted out, specially at the area were it would mount to the bases,, it was constant paint scratching off, first scratch and bare metal at installation.. also I was incredibly impress with billiebars packaging,, perfect nothing moved, nothing damaged during shipping.