rack for my truck

[Byron Zuehlsdorff]

Okay, just eliminated the accrossthebed tool box, put two wheel well ones at the back and two spare tire mounts in the front of the bed. I hate the ones under the truck! Am looking for a rack on the roof of the truck. Don't want to go with a headache rack if I can avoid it though I have a very good source to make me one if I end up going that way.. Cabela's sell's a universal fit turbo rack that straps on thru the cab. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this type of unit. I will be using an extend-a-bed rack on the back. I was wondering if the straps allow water, dust, etc. in since they go thru the cab?

Thank you in advance, Byron

PS I have found several sights online that sell this item but none have any reviews on it.

[Byron Zuehlsdorff]

Okay, forgot to add, it is for hauling my canoe and raft. It was late last night at work!

[Byron Zuehlsdorff]

Well, looks as though no one has used this. Wed., day off, am going to run a ratchet strap around the cab and see what happens to the door molding when the doors are shut. Will report back on this, I believe I will not like what happens and will have my friend build me a headache rack after all.

[tlerm]

Let us know how it goes.

At first I was picturing you putting the straps through the windows of the doors with the doors closed. And I was puzzled as to how you would get the doors open. Your way is probably better.

[Rick Z]

I did an article on the plastic pipe rack that I use to hall my canoe. Would have to search the archives to find it.
If you don't find it I will look for it, but the garden has to be worked today.

Rick

[Byron Zuehlsdorff]

Had a pvc pipe rack 2 years ago and it worked pretty darn good until I was removing it in Oct in 20 degree weather and fumbled it. When it hit the groung, it shattered. Got the design from your post. Was thinking of looking at something like that last nite at work and may still go that way. We must think along the same track. Thanks Rick! I will still try the strap because I am curious to see what it does. BUT now it is time for some sleep, just got home after 14 hrs and need to rest a little.

[Byron Zuehlsdorff]

Here you are Rick, the rack and the new bed arrangement. Also, the strap thru the cab. I don't really like the way the molding is compromised. I should also add, I tend to forget to take it off until I need too. In fact,,,,I believe that I am seriously going to play with the pvc pipe idea again.

Thank you for the chance to express my thoughts and for the reminder, Rick.

[tlerm]

I like the rack, though I can't say I'm fond of the strap arrangement. I like your new tool boxes and the way you stored the spare tires. I do have to ask though, why do you need two spares?

[Byron Zuehlsdorff]

Well, Tim, I have carried two spares since the early 70s. Have had to use both before getting the flats repaired about 5 times since then, 2 flats at once or before I can get out of where I am, and having two has meant not having to come down from the mountain before the hunting, fishing trip is over. Here in Western Wyoming, the roads are mostly all dirt and not maintained, and the wife and I like to explore a lot of these back roads. Bird surveys, checking on cows, both her families and friends, and just GETTING OUT. And my hunting roads, often called two tracks, are not known for being in the best of conditions, read chains for all 4 tires. ALSO, it seems, after the county starts grading the county roads, sharp rocks appear out of nowhere. Now I am NOT picking on the county workers, they have several thousand miles of dirt roads to take care of and NO I am not exagerating. If you look at a map of Wyoming and then Sweetwater county, you will see what I mean. Sweetwater county is 10,491 square miles in size with only 66 square miles of that being water. That means a lot of country to see just in the county! Also, I never have less than a six ply rated tire on the truck, ten ply most of the time, even on a half ton pickup.

[Gemrod]

haulerracks.com
click on the left on "truck racks"
The one shown in the upcoming pictures is the one I have. Shell camper fits in under it. I can run it with shell camper AND rack. Or just rack. Or just shell camper. I can install and remove both the longbed camper and or the aluminum rack by myself.
I am not saying lookie at what I got. Posting information to try to be helpful.
You can order a rack from them specifically for your truck. And you can order it for a camper fit, or one not arranged for a camper shell to fit under it. They will sell you one specifically for your truck. I ordered mine over the internet and they delivered it in boxes to Vallecito Lake in Colorado. It is not welded. You can assemble it and install it on your truck. I ordered an extra cross bar for across the middle of mine. But, it, and the back bar are removable. So if you want to haul a motorcycle, or furniture, just remove the back cross bar. Put it back when you want to.

Mine delivered was approx $800. I know. Racks can be done much less than that. But NOT if you need one and are 350 miles from home and camping on a lake. It's situational thinking. Kind of depends on what you want, and what is available to you at the time. I was not where I could get one made, or even buy one that fit my truck. So ordered one.

Just fyi for ideas on truck racks.
Jim