Truck Rigs

[fettsway]

The idea for this post might get panned, but I need to gather some data for a figuring out how to setup my truck for kayak, bike, etc.

If you got a unique setup for a truck, or one you are proud of, please POST of PIC of it .

I have a compact extended cab truck and would like to outfit with the convenience means to haul my kayak, bike, toolbox, etc. and I am finding out some of you out there have custom setups and thought it would be cool to check them out, and maybe here about its DNA makeup.

Thanks.

[Cowper]

I don't have any pictures, but I'll give you my thoughts on what to consider.

First, how much semi-dry storage do you need, and do you want a traditional truck tool box to be part of the mix, or would it be acceptable to put your tools in a box that was inside a camper shell?

I think fuel prices are not likely to drop significantly in the next few years, and could go considerably higher. So the system I have now, while great, is not necessarily the system I would choose if buying today.

If you can accept a full camper shell and accept some fuel economy impact, then the systems I've seen that I like the best are those like the one Dave and Susan have, or several other similar ones. They include a cab-high camper shell, with an exo-skeleton frame that holds up a basket over the roof of the camper. There is an angle around the edge that can be stepped on to access the roof area, and the basket has a floor that is strong enough to load major gear on, and walk on. It is also smooth so that rafts can be loaded. And it has bars that can be used for loading canoes. The whole system can be removed with a few bolted connections.

Anything that attaches to your camper shell is going to put loads on your shell that will reduce your service life, IMO. Us boaters just drive on too many dirt roads, with too much load on the roof. The shells were not designed with that abuse in mind. Even the "reinforced" ones are not designed with enough margin to carry heavy loads on "washboard" gravel roads.

If you want to retain your toolbox, then consider the Thule Xsporter racks. I've always favored Yakima products, but a friend has the Xsporter bars, and I've been impressed with their strength and versatility. They telescope down quickly for max mpg when not in use, but go up and have carried some significant loads with ease, like fully inflated rafts, a very heavy raft frame, and of course, boats. And they don't rattle. (but not cheap.)

[robkanraft]

Is this exoskeleton/basket a commercially available or custom rig? My van's about shot, thinking about alternative ways to transport my raft. A small pick-up/campershell would be on my short list, though I love camping in the van.

[okieboater]

go here to get a sample of the exo skeleton outside racks

http://www.tygartriver.com/

Not sure but tygart might have been the pioneer of these exo skeletal racks.

I have seen a bunch of racks made by local welders that are similiar to the tygart river design.

All look good.

There are several excellent racks built by ACC members who are building systems that are just awesome as anything else I have seen. Hopefully, they will join in here.

You can also do a search on cap racks and there are bunches out there from commercial manufacturers. I purchased on of these deals for my Toyota Tacoma and it worked great - looked like a tonka toy design tho. Most of these one size fits all racks tho do not look as good as the custom racks.

[bayoukid]

We built an "H" frame rack out of 2X4's that would allow us to put the boat across the top of the cab of the truck and it sit level, parallel with the truck. The "H" frame would go by the tail gate and hold the back end of the boat level with the top of the cab. The "H" frame also had a 2X4 across the top with a piece of carpet so to not scratch up the boat (no more than what it already was). Then tie off boat and "H" frame really good. That leaves the entire bed of the truck for all your gear. With the boat being upside down, it also serves as a "roof" to help keep the gear in the bed of the truck dry (somewhat). We were making 6 hour hauls using a single cab Ford Ranger and experienced no problems.

The cost was $0 with wood scraps and it took about 15 minutes to make.

[fettsway]

We built an "H" frame rack out of 2X4's that would allow us to put the boat across the top of the cab of the truck and it sit level, parallel with the truck. The "H" frame would go by the tail gate and hold the back end of the boat level with the top of the cab. The "H" frame also had a 2X4 across the top with a piece of carpet so to not scratch up the boat (no more than what it already was). Then tie off boat and "H" frame really good. That leaves the entire bed of the truck for all your gear. With the boat being upside down, it also serves as a "roof" to help keep the gear in the bed of the truck dry (somewhat). We were making 6 hour hauls using a single cab Ford Ranger and experienced no problems.

The cost was $0 with wood scraps and it took about 15 minutes to make.

sounds unique, if you got a pic I would love to check it out. thanks.

[bayoukid]

I don't have an actual pic of it but, I did up a print right quick of just the stand. You will have to figure out what the height will be to make the boat sit level. Put a blanket over the cab and then set the boat on top with the front of the boat a couple feet past the cab. The "H" frame will sit against the tailgate then the boat on the frame. You can put carpet on side of upright 2X4's if you wanted to keep from scratching truck but, it shouldn't move.. Use a ratchet strap and/or rope to tie "H" frame off from the top side 2X4 to the trailer hitch or bumber. I put in eye hooks on the ends of the 2X4 on top so I can run a ratchet strap over the boat to secure it to frame.

Now the back end of the boat is suspended up in the air. It is level so their is less drag and better gas milage. The entire bed of the truck is empty.

If it is a motorcycle you are talking about, you might need to shove to one side of the bed of the truck and maybe make the frame as narrow as you can. You could even put the eye hooks straight up to get a few more inches off of it.

[RIORESIDENT]

check out

WWW.mountainbuzz.com

for some "conversation" about racks


see.....truck racks on main forum page.

I have my ideas, and build em too, but it would be best to have an independant source for goodness.

there are some awesome builders there in AR, and my reco, is Heath. based out of texarkana.

Rio~