Thule bed rack

Hey I recently purchased a Thule xsporter for my 19 Taco, I bought it for multiple reasons. I use my truck for my business so I got it for lumber and materials. But I also own a roof top tent and needed a rack to use with it. I purchased this one because it's adjustable so I could raise it for materials but lower it for the tent to reduce wind drag. I didn't know that my factory bed liner would conflict the amount is be able to lower the rack. I'm thinking about making small slots for the towers to slide down into but im not sure what to do with the power and storage module. Do they make the power and storage as separate boxes? If I could cut it in half I can slide the towers forward enough to clear the power and move the storage to the drivers side. Thanks for any info.

 

I think most people just cut the posts before chopping into the bed.

 

I'd rather cut my bed liner so when I want to raise the rack I still have that stability.

 

Its not a Bed Liner, its the actual bed.

 

Yeah, this is what kept me away from this rack—it’s ability to be lowered to cab height, which would be a cool feature, is neutered by Thule’s design.

 

We'll it's not Thule design flaw, the design works great if the bed is straight up and down. I wish Toyota didn't make the bed toe in and I wish they made the manual trd off-road in a 6' bed.

 

I cut my posts just enough so it lowers down to where my Tepui RTT sits level with my Prinsu rack. The rack itself also sits about level with my Prinsu rack when set at the highest level after the cuts. I've had a 220lb RTT plus 350lbs of humans on the Thule rack, no problem. Have ran this setup for years, several multiple day camping trips.

Cutting them is simple, they are aluminum. Got them sand blasted and powder coated to match my aluminum bumper.

I bought it used for cheap. Powder coat plus used price was far less money than half MSRP for the Thule rack new. If you can get this rack used, it's a great deal for an adjustable set up

 

I also have one of these racks, the extra bit of the legs extending below the clamp aren't adding any stability. I chopped off 10" on mine, allowing enough adjustment to clear the shark fin antenna when raised and go below the roofline when lowered. If you cut into the bed so you can lower the rack I'd be more worried about interfering with the rear wheels than that powerbox.

 

Looking into this rack to put over a softopper. Looking at the pictures looks like i would be able to kee softopper rails in place and clamp the Thule bars over them? Any thoughts on this. Thanks

 

I just messed with my softopper last night. I think if you got some 1 inch square aluminum tubing to give some extra reinforcement it might help. That thule mount looks a fair bit wider than the 1 inch rails.

 

It won't work with a softopper without some serious modification. The upright legs of the Thule rack are on the inside side of the bed for starters.