tonneau cover bike rack. Help!

[evel knievel]

I want to mount a Thule rack to the outside bed cleats using an artificial rain gutter. I need to know if the bolts that are in there now can be used or if shorter ones are needed. I've seen a few pictures of it done but can't seem to get this part figured out. Thanks.

 

[Carlos Chio]

I used the "Sal A." method to mount my rack and trays. It is easy to do and it's removable.



[Broken External Image]:

[Broken External Image]:

[Broken External Image]:

 

[evel knievel]

Did you have to alter the feet at all? I have and old, junky set of Thule feet that I experimented on and it wasn't sturdy front to back. I'm sure I did something wrong or possibly the feet are just no good anymore. They are really haggard and even if it worked ok I wouldn't have used them. I liked the idea of the artificial rain gutter just for total lock down potential.

 

[Carlos Chio]

These are the old style gutter mounts. All I did was cut two notches at the bottom of each mount so they could drop in the cleats on the side of the Trac. I went to Lowe's and bought some 1" stock and had it cut so they could reach mount-to-mount (I can't remember the exact dimensions). Then I just assembled it, dropped it onto the cleats, and tightened down the handles and then mounted the Rocky Mount trays. It is amazingly sturdy front to back and laterally. I actually drove with this setup from Colorado to Alabama with no issues.

 

[Carlos Chio]

These are the old style gutter mounts. All I did was cut two notches at the bottom of each mount so they could drop in the cleats on the side of the Trac. I went to Lowe's and bought some 1" stock and had it cut so they could reach mount-to-mount (I can't remember the exact dimensions). Then I just assembled it, dropped it onto the cleats, and tightened down the handles and then mounted the Rocky Mount trays. It is amazingly sturdy front to back and laterally. I actually drove with this setup from Colorado to Alabama with no issues.

 

[evel knievel]

Damn. That's awesome. I used a 1" metal hole saw bit and made two half moons so the feet sat on the cleats. When tightened it wobbled front to back a bit. I wonder if it's because it's round on round. Are your notches squrare like Sal's? Thanks for your help.

 

[Carlos Chio]

Nope. They are round as well. Have you tried setting the mounts inboard a little. Try to put some tension on the whole assembly even before you tighten it.

 

[evel knievel]

I'll give it a shot. Hope it works.

 

[Carlos Chio]

Good luck! Pics would help too if you get the chance.