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HighPlainsDrifter
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01/05/2017 09:02PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)

hello

I fell to temptation and bought a 2016 F150. It was time to retire my little 2003 Ford Ranger which was rigged with a topper and custom made steel racks.

Now I am back to square one. How do I get this thing ready for summer? I have 2 objectives. 1) I want to cover my bed with a lockable landau cover rather than topper. 2) I want a good set of racks that work with a landau cover.

So, if you folks have pictures of your rig, help me out and show your stuff.

Cheers and thanks
 
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01/08/2017 03:36PM  
Spring Creek in Mountain Iron, MN has a system that works with those covers.
 
01/08/2017 08:00PM  
I use Spring Creek parts, but don't think I have any pictures. I use one roof suction/through cab strap mount & the truck hitch mount.

Everything else goes in the bed and the tonue cover rolled down and locked up.
 
HighPlainsDrifter
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01/08/2017 09:19PM  

Ben and Kevin

Thanks for the lead on Spring Creek. The "One tough truck rack" with the made to order slide rail option is what I need. That is a nice design especially with the adjustable height.

I found one other truck rack system compatible with bed covers and that is ADARAC.

However, Spring Creek is by far the nicest I have seen. Thanks again for the lead. This company is new to me and one that I did not find by a GOOGLE search on truck racks.
 
JATFOMike
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01/09/2017 10:35AM  
HPD,
Congrats on the new truck! I got a new F150 myself this past year and have been looking into the same set up......If I did it right, below should be a link to a thread earlier this year that might give you some ideas......I still haven't mastered cut/paste on my IPad yet.

http://bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=forum.thread&threadId=940015&forumID=15&confID=1

Another rack option is Tracrac, they are the commercial division of Thule...it's a very nice system and will work with many tonneau covers because it mounts to the tops of the bed rails w/out the clamps...it is pricey though.

I like the Spring Creek rack system. On their website it shows the rail mounted rack system in use with a tonneau cover, but when I spoke with "Chuck" at Spring Creek, he assured me it would work, but coldn't remember which tonneau systems he had paired it up with.....I then contacted the tech departments at some of the tonneau cover companies to see if they thought there would be compatibility issues and I couldn't get a straight answer from any of them.

I am leaning towards re-using one of my thule bars with new feet on the top of my cab and the Spring creek hitch mounted bar for the rear. That would allow the use of any tonneau cover out there and save me a little money in the end.

good luck with your search!

Mike

 
BnD
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01/09/2017 11:06AM  
Here's what I use. Thule towers and round bar on the cab. Fabricated receiver hitch rack on back. Works well. Never an issue even hauling multiple canoes.



 
01/09/2017 11:08AM  

Just don't let chuck get carried away. Haha!
 
HighPlainsDrifter
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01/09/2017 11:48AM  
The problem with using a receiver hitch rack is that it ties up the receiver for towing. I have a little tent trailer that serves nicely as my "base camp".

I really like the Spring Creek adjustable height. That would give me the height I need for the up-swept bow of my Ranger cedar strip (to clear the cab) and low enough to clear my garage door.
 
BnD
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01/09/2017 12:31PM  
I can't pull my truck in my garage or shed after I have the canoe on top either unless I wanta make a insurance commercial.
 
JATFOMike
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01/09/2017 01:21PM  
quote HighPlainsDrifter: "The problem with using a receiver hitch rack is that it ties up the receiver for towing. I have a little tent trailer that serves nicely as my "base camp".

I really like the Spring Creek adjustable height. That would give me the height I need for the up-swept bow of my Ranger cedar strip (to clear the cab) and low enough to clear my garage door.
"


That was a concern of mine as well.....We have a pop up we like to haul around for weekend trips......Chuck at Spring Creek suggested this option to me with the hitch rack (which is adjustable also!):
http://www.harborfreight.com/dual-hitch-extender-69881.html

If you don't like the harbor Freight stuff, Reese makes the exact same receiver adapter....I use an 8" drop off my receiver for the pop up and it will work with this adapter.....Just another option....

Mike
 
ozarkpaddler
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01/09/2017 02:08PM  
Yakima Outdoorsman. I've used this rack setup for over 10 years now and a few different trucks. It works best with either a regular cab or extended cab truck. With a crew cab the canoe tends to be too close to the roof. I don't have a covered bed since I have to use the bed of the truck to carry things around the farm all the time. The pictured Sierra is history as of late November thanks to a tree and a deer altercation in a short order. I too have now upgraded to a 2016 F-150. Just more bang for the buck, and I've been a GM lover for years. But the F-150 extended cab had more room, better access to the back seat, and flat floor space for coolers and kennels. And the gas mileage with the Ecoboost is really nice haven't got a picture of the F-150 with rack just yet.







e.
 
01/09/2017 02:30PM  
Another plug for Spring Creek's One Tuff Truck Rack
If I ever get another pickup that will go on it!

Have to admit, I miss the old bugger!

butthead
 
JATFOMike
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01/09/2017 07:50PM  
Nice looking Ranger BH! I had a 1991 red ranger 4x4 with a 5 speed 6 cylinder....I love that truck.....a couple of years later I got married and started a family and traded it in on a mini van.....

Mike
 
01/20/2017 09:08AM  
We just use the "Universal Cross Bar Roof Rack" since we swap which vehicle it's on. Super cheap and it works good for us. We've used it on 3 different vehicles.
I did have to drill a new hole for putting it on the truck but works good.
 
firemedic5586
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01/20/2017 08:47PM  
Thule roof rods with bike racks I got off of amazon mounted on the outside of the rods and a Curt basket-full length of the cab between the bike racks ., I don't remember the name of the bike rack on the front of the truck but it's designed to let a trailer hitch run through it, thus you still can use your hitch..


 
01/27/2017 08:32PM  
quote KevinL: "
quote nctry: "Sprint Creek in mountain iron mn has a system that works with those covers."

I use Spring Creek parts, but don't think I have any pictures. I use one roof suction/through cab strap mount & the truck hitch mount.


Everything else goes in the bed and the tonue cover rolled down and locked up. "


I found a picture of the setup.

The hitch mount I got off of eBay, and the cab mount I got by watching the for sale section here. For the two of them, I got both for less than the price of one of them. I could not build my own for what I paid.
 
HighPlainsDrifter
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01/27/2017 10:26PM  

Kevin, that is a nice setup.
I ended up buying the one tuff truck rack on the slide rail system from Spring Creek and an Access tonneau cover. I am waiting for a warm (er) day to install.
 
01/29/2017 11:11PM  


Uses regular roof rack on truck and made the rack for the back.
 
HighPlainsDrifter
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01/30/2017 09:46PM  

Larry, nice rig. That wood canvas is a beauty. It is unusual the way the stems sweep up sharply. I cannot read the name on the hull.... who is the maker?
 
01/30/2017 09:57PM  
quote HighPlainsDrifter: "
Larry, nice rig. That wood canvas is a beauty. It is unusual the way the stems sweep up sharply. I cannot read the name on the hull.... who is the maker?
"


I bought it from Fletcher Canoes Atikokan Ontario. I've had it on 4 BW trips and really like the way it handles and of course the looks. The stems do catch the wind sometimes but I'm never in a hurry, so if wind is an issue, I just sit it out for awhile.
 
01/31/2017 12:08AM  

MHS67,

Very cool looking canoe.
 
Dammfast
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02/03/2017 09:18AM  


I own a Chevy Avalanche and I love it. The truck comes with a three part bed cover that makes accessing gear easy. The bed of the truck is also accessible from the cab of the truck. On my truck I removed the handles that were attached with three bolts and built a rack from some inch square tubing. I can access my bed with the rack on the truck and loading is easy.
 
jwb747
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02/04/2017 07:23AM  
I use a Yakima base rack. Over the years I've been collecting Yakima kayak stackers from the 80's early 90's. These early stackers allow you to turn your racks into basically Tinker Toys. Basically a rack on a rack. Incredibly stable on road, in wind, and the Suburban tolerates the rack just fine. No issues ever.









 
kona
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02/04/2017 09:00AM  
the stacker solution is super cool. Wish I had room for a trailer at home, but no.

Can you provide any more info about what i'm looking for in the "old" stackers? What part makes them work?
 
jwb747
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02/09/2017 10:30PM  
quote kona: "the stacker solution is super cool. Wish I had room for a trailer at home, but no.


Can you provide any more info about what i'm looking for in the "old" stackers? What part makes them work?"


The alumium mounting block on the old stackers allow you to connect yakima bars perpendicular to each other.



 
02/10/2017 09:55AM  
BnD,

Where are you attaching the straps under the hood of your tundra? (I have a tundra)

I have seen lots of pics where people are tying down their canoes under the hood of their trucks. What kind of attachment point is everyone using?

Thanks
 
kona
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02/10/2017 10:18AM  
Ah, thanks.
 
02/11/2017 05:59AM  
quote rdgbwca: "BnD,


Where are you attaching the straps under the hood of your tundra? (I have a tundra)


I have seen lots of pics where people are tying down their canoes under the hood of their trucks. What kind of attachment point is everyone using?


Thanks"


He is probably using something similar to these straps.
 
ozarkpaddler
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02/13/2017 07:04PM  
quote rdgbwca: "BnD,
Where are you attaching the straps under the hood of your tundra? (I have a tundra)
I have seen lots of pics where people are tying down their canoes under the hood of their trucks. What kind of attachment point is everyone using?
Thanks"


Here's a pic:

 
ozarkpaddler
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03/09/2017 04:02AM  
Finally got a picture of the new F-150 with boat:

 
ozarkpaddler
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03/09/2017 04:02AM  
Finally got a picture of the new F-150 with boat:

 
ScottBBD
  
04/04/2019 02:17PM  
jwb747, I've been looking for some of the aluminum blocks from the old stackers that you mentioned. Any suggestions on where I could find some? Thanks!
 
ScottBBD
  
04/04/2019 02:19PM  
jwb747, I've been looking for some of the aluminum blocks from the old stackers that you mentioned. Any suggestions on where I could find some? Thanks!
 
DKalis
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04/05/2019 03:07PM  
Here is the rack I made last year. It just sits in the stake pockets, so I can still use the tonneau cover like normal.
 
keegan99usa
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04/05/2019 03:25PM  
 
cyclones30
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04/05/2019 09:28PM  
DKalis: "Here is the rack I made last year. It just sits in the stake pockets, so I can still use the tonneau cover like normal.
"


Damn, that's a nice setup! I've thought about doing something similar from wood but that's real clean.
 
04/05/2019 11:36PM  

This is the rig I used on my last canoe trip. I had this lumber rack laying around, it was for a 3/4 ton long bed. I cut it apart and fitted it to the half ton. Worked great.
 
1JimD
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04/06/2019 06:18AM  
I've worn out three trucks since I first used this rack ! The Bummer about it is, it won't fit my 2017 Taco ! (Sad Face)
It has been adapted to three S-10s, a Dodge Ram, and a Chevy 1/2t. Exteded cab. By changing the top boards
Still going strong ! Oh, and yes ! Home made !



 
1JimD
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04/06/2019 06:25AM  
I am looking for a well built rack, to fit my 2017 Tacoma.
The problem with the newer Toyota's, is the bed is plastic !

Good advise appreciated !

Jim
 
04/06/2019 07:51AM  
I have a 2017 Ford 150 with an older square bar Thule rack for over the cab and a T bar rack that inserts into the rear 2 inch receiver hitch.

With this setup I can use my Century Topper that will keep stuff in my pickup bed dry and safe as it is lockable.

 
04/06/2019 10:13AM  
The Yakima Overhaul is out there. I think it has to be paired with a Retrax tonneau cover. Pricy but will last
 
cyclones30
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04/06/2019 09:12PM  
MHS67: "
This is the rig I used on my last canoe trip. I had this lumber rack laying around, it was for a 3/4 ton long bed. I cut it apart and fitted it to the half ton. Worked great. "


Chains are to keep it on place? What's on the other end of them?
 
Flashback
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04/07/2019 11:17AM  


Pictured is rack setup on my old Ford Ranger.
New Ford F-150 will have very similiar setup as soon as new camper shell is received, and mounted.
New F-150 is pictured with temporary rack.

 
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