Lumber rack idea

So I’d love your honest opinion on an idea I have. I need a lumber rack on my truck ( im a carpenter ) and was planning on getting an over shell lumber rack. Then I saw this at the lumber yard and was thinking it was a good idea, just poorly executed. My plan is to buy a regular/standard lumber rack. Cut the posts, install and weld back to the rails. I’d use some sort of DWV Flexible PVC Coupling to seal the post and the shell top.

I like how close to the body the rack would be. And the strength that comes without having the post cantilever.
Also, my Leer shell has side windows that open out ( which is great for access ) and I believe the posts on the Rack-It over shell racks I’ve looked at are going to stand in front of them.

Thanks in advance!

Your input is much appreciated..

 

Another member did something similar for a RTT and posted a few pages back in the "what have you done to your tacoma today" thread... might be worth a quick search through there

 

Did you make support brackets that the topper sits on top of?

 

I think that is a cool idea, definitely want to be sure you're going for it before drilling out the fiberglass shell.

I remember the post in "what have you done to your tacoma today" as well... I think he had supports that fit just inside the shell to act as a skeleton as opposed to actually going through the shell.

 

Cool idea for sure.

It will be hard (impossible) to weld around the perimeter of the lower bedrail mount with the shell on, so I'd consider doing some sort of bolt-on configuration for that.

I have no idea how much these things would move, but you're at least on the right track with the flexible sealant.

I would consider a scratch built system though. The bed rail mount for the rack are going to have to side inside the shell, since the shell mounts to the same space the rack would normally mount to. That will require you to re-jigger all the angles/lengths for the vertical posts, and then the mounts for the top rack. Might as well start from scratch... Maybe find a junkyard lumber rack and just hack off the verticals and start over.

Also, for the rack mount, I would suggest using sections of L-bracket the entire length of the bed rail. You're just bolting to sheet metal, so best to distribute the load as much as possible.

 

Awesome, thanks for all the help guys.


Tony2018, no I haven’t installed any support brackets. Will I need to install some to support the rack?

Jbrandit, I was planning on buying this cheap rack I found and modifying it as much as I need to. Or just using the top and making the bottom from scratch. I hadn't thought about the bottom rails needing to be the same place as the shell on the bed. What do the over shell racks do then? If it means the shell has to sit a little ( say 1/4 in ) higher and I use some sort of seal there that’s fine.

 

Full bed rail length mount


Pics aren't mine

 

Yes, I’ve been looking at a Rack-It system that looks like this. Will I need to support the bed rails on my truck?

 

Yep, as shown, the over the shell racks do the same thing, just to the outside of the shell...

I would do a full length bed rail mount like Rick's 2nd pic (only to the inside), but only have the rail stick out where the verticals mount, like in the first pic. That would be less intrusive to your storage space on the inside.

You'd also want to make sure you do some weather proofing along the bedrail mounts. Shape it so it matches the profile of the bed (rounded corners, etc...), then seal the interface between the bed and the mount, maybe with silicon or something. Then just make sure the bedrail mount top is smooth and clean (interface btwn the shell and the rail).

Would also need to weatherproof the front of the shell/bed, too. Might not matter if the bedrail mount is thin enough...

 

Thanks jbrandit!

If I do a full length rail that sits on top of my trucks bed rails like you said. Do you know if I’ll need to support the bed rails on my truck for the added weight? Or is the weight spread out enough for the bed to handle it. I was thinking I could fabricate and mount something to either the base of the bed or through to the truck frame.

 

You're not building a roll bar here, but it should be more than strong enough for an RTT or other heavy junk.

There are several companies that make racks (All-Pro Offroad off the top of my head) that make essentially what we're talking about, but would interfere with the shell.

For this application, I wouldn't go through to the frame for support. Yes, it'd be stronger, but keep in mind the bed/body/frame move somewhat independently (rubber body mounts), so that may cause some issues, too. Also, the amount of additional fabrication for this boggles the mind...

 

Thanks for all your help guys! I needed to jump on a job and found a used over shell rack for sale. Still want to try the in-shell idea someday. Next will be new suspension though. She’s sagging quite a bit with larger loads now..

 

Nice, looks real good.

 

Just get some bags for the rear so when it sags you can just lift it back level. Adding leafs will give you that pay load capacity you want but will also give lift and stiffen your ride alot