No rails. Can I still get a cover?

Hello, I'm looking for a cover I could get that does not require rails since I don't have any. I hope there are still good covers that I could get especially with the winter approaching. I suppose otherwise I will have to get rails also.

 

There are absolutely clamps that simply go under the bed rail and don't utilize the rails. No problems there!

 

When the 2005 Tacoma first came out, several tonneau cover manufacturers had you remove the utility tracks, or attach their rail systems under the utility track. Without the track, there are only a few empty bolt holes to mount to.

But over the last decade the Tacoma became extremely popular and there was a lot of customer pushback on losing the use of the tracks.

Most, if not all, of the major manufacturers developed attaching systems to go inside the track for the Tacoma. I do not know of any manufacturer who does not.

BAK, Access, and Truxedo were three that used to remove the tracks, but no longer.

 

You don't have rails on an '09? Were they removed?

All '05-'15 should fit right up.

Shop for used ones?

 

Would I need to drill any holes into the bed to make them fit without rails? I can see there are some holes in my bed where the rails should be. Could you reference me a cover with said clamps that don't utilize rails? Thanks!

 

Any shell will work. A quick google search of “truck shell clamps” brings up a lot of options for the clamps themselves. This pic shows how they work.

They will just go under the bed rail instead of utilizing the track system

 

Give us a picture of the underside of your bed rail. What does it look like with the utility track removed?

 

2018 Tacoma comes with internal rail system for cargo tie down that looks like it interferes with soft cover rail clamps. Is there anyway to keep the internal rail system and use soft cover rails? why wouldnt some soft cover maker just make clamps that go into internal rail and then clamps for where the rail isnt????

 

Almost all of the tonneau manufacturers now use the utility track. When the composite bed 2005 Tacoma first came out, they tried all different kinds of ways to avoid using the track; with several having you removing it.

I am guessing Valkener's truck is used, and the previous owner removed the utility tracks when he took his cover off before trading it in.

In any case, Valkener does not have utility tracks.

 

Hello, I finally got around to take some pics.

https://image.ibb.co/jMPkKp/image1.jpg
https://image.ibb.co/dyX0kU/image2.jpg

I just bought the truck recently. As you can see no rails at all but there are some holes which I could screw a clamp in or something. There's some coating on it but that shouldn't be an issue. Any thoughts as to what my options are?

 

The previous owner took of the utility tracks for cosmetic reasons? He went to a lot of effort to take them off and cover the holes...

 

I have no idea why she took them off. Any thoughts on that? Maybe they interfered with a cover LOL. Anyway, what are my options for a cover? :<

 

The Extang Solid Fold or the Extang Trifecta would actually be a good bet as they do not have side rails that stay on the truck. And the clamps that are attached to the underside of the cover will slide to the right width.

You will probably need to replace the bottom clamp components with a set designed for standard trucks. The full set of clamps will cost you $100. If you call Extang, they will probably send you a set of just the bottom clamp attachments for free, or at a much lower cost.

I would call Extang and verify: 800-877-2588 ext 1

If you have a hack saw and a drill, then you could also cut an aluminum U-channel to length and mount it upside down to the side of the truck to form a channel. This will absolutely work with the Trifecta or Solid fold clamps. You can get the channels at Home Depot/Ace/Lowes... You will also need M8? (M6?) Socket head cap screws. Not sure on the length though.

https://www.extang.com/

 

I cannot see why she took them off AND covered up the holes other than cosmetic reasons. Unless she covered up the holes in order to sell the truck.

 

Can you take a picture of the underside of the bed cap, with the sky/ceiling as the background? I would like to see what you have to clamp onto.

 

Thanks for your input, man. I will take some pics alter.

I actually found the OEM side rails (not the front) here: https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem...35100-lb.html?Vin=5TFNX4CN6BX003687&Filter=()

and then the screws here: 90148-A0006

For about 60 bucks, not too bad. Would I need the front rail for most covers? Seems like they just utilize the side rails. I've also found some "ez clamps" after your suggestion, I am not quite sure what to think of them.

 

That price was much better than I expected.

I don't know offhand of any tonneau manufacturer that uses the cab rail.

The Extang EZ Clamps are only for the Trifecta and Solid Fold covers. They work well: They are on their second generation, after over a decade on the first generation.

The wind creates a vacuum that lifts up on the cover behind the cab, and it flows down and presses on the cover to hold it in place at the tailgate. So you need something to hold the cover down at the cab, and something to allow a user to easily open it at the tailgate.