BilleBars or KB Voodoo

[mrtimo]

Has anyone installed BilleBars or KB Voodoo crossbars and a tonneau? Both of these options have brackets which are 3/16” thick. This effectively means a 3/8” reduction in width between the side rails. I don’t think my tonneau (Gator EFX trifold) has that kind of tolerance. Also, 3/16” leaves a pretty big gap for rain to seep between truck rail, and tonneau rail.

Anyone have real experience of these to counter, or confirm, my armchair analysis?

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[D Fresh]

If I wanted to run a rack and a tonneau I'd look at a tonneau with the t-slot rails.

 

[mrtimo]

If I wanted to run a rack and a tonneau I'd look at a tonneau with the t-slot rails.

Y me too…except I already have the tonneau before I knew I wanted the cross bars

 

[D Fresh]

Y me too…except I already have the tonneau before I knew I wanted the cross bars

Sometimes that happens.

https://www.stage3motorsports.com/b...-bed-rack-tonneau-cover-adapter-brackets.html

These might work for you. But maybe only with one of their racks.

Edit: Forgot to drop the link.

 

[mrtimo]

Sometimes that happens.

https://www.stage3motorsports.com/b...-bed-rack-tonneau-cover-adapter-brackets.html

These might work for you. But maybe only with one of their racks.

Edit: Forgot to drop the link.

Thanks - I am also considering an RCI rack, I like the solid look of them, and had seen these adapters. Same questions though around potential rain gaps and width tolerances. I know one option is to add additional rubber or foam gaskets where gaps appears.

 

[D Fresh]

Thanks - I am also considering an RCI rack, I like the solid look of them, and had seen these adapters. Same questions though around potential rain gaps and width tolerances. I know one option is to add additional rubber or foam gaskets where gaps appears.

Did the Gator rails not come with weatherstripping?

That bracket is so thin I'm sure the weatherstripping on my Fas-Top rails would conform around them.

 

[halligan1201]

Here's a guy who switched from KB to Billie Bars on his Taco and why

 

[mrtimo]

Here's a guy who switched from KB to Billie Bars on his Taco and why

Very interesting…he definitely makes a good case for the BillieBars, simply based on material and construction. Thanks for the link!

 

[SILK]

Very interesting…he definitely makes a good case for the BillieBars, simply based on material and construction. Thanks for the link!

Have you gone in any direction on these? I'm trying to kit out a set of crossbars to go over my tonneau. I like the Truxedo T-Slot option as it runs the length of the bed and should have less gaps for rain to get in. At least that's how my tiny brain figures it.

What I'm trying to find now are the appropriate crossbars and installation hardware that will fit in these T-Slots on the Truxedo. Yakima has a system that seems like it will work.

Have you had any success over the past month on putting something together that works for you?

Here's the Truxedo link: https://www.stage3motorsports.com/1118329-truxedo-elevate-ts-rails-for-5ft-truck-beds.html

 

[mrtimo]

Have you gone in any direction on these? I'm trying to kit out a set of crossbars to go over my tonneau. I like the Truxedo T-Slot option as it runs the length of the bed and should have less gaps for rain to get in. At least that's how my tiny brain figures it.

What I'm trying to find now are the appropriate crossbars and installation hardware that will fit in these T-Slots on the Truxedo. Yakima has a system that seems like it will work.

Have you had any success over the past month on putting something together that works for you?

Here's the Truxedo link: https://www.stage3motorsports.com/1118329-truxedo-elevate-ts-rails-for-5ft-truck-beds.html

I just ordered a Xtrusion Overland bed rack. I decided that I’m going to modify the brackets (cut off the vertical section that would normally be used for clamps), and then drill some holes through the brackets and the bed rail/cap and bolt it on. On the plus side it’ll be very securely attached, and 100% independent of any tonneau cover. On the negative side, drilled holes in the bed rail/cap, and permanent bed rack brackets. That all said, I haven’t received the Xtrusion rack yet, so I can experiment with the recommended install (i.e. clamping) and see how it affects the tonneau rails.

 

[TRD-2-Tremor]

I just ordered a Xtrusion Overland bed rack. I decided that I’m going to modify the brackets (cut off the vertical section that would normally be used for clamps), and then drill some holes through the brackets and the bed rail/cap and bolt it on. On the plus side it’ll be very securely attached, and 100% independent of any tonneau cover. On the negative side, drilled holes in the bed rail/cap, and permanent bed rack brackets. That all said, I haven’t received the Xtrusion rack yet, so I can experiment with the recommended install (i.e. clamping) and see how it affects the tonneau rails.

I was actually thinking of doing the same thing on the BilleBar Brackets. I havent made up my mind yet.

 

[mrtimo]

I didn’t end up cutting the bed rack brackets or drilling the rails. The tonneau just fits (its a slight squeeze because the bed rack brackets reduce the overall width that the tonneau needs to sit between). I put some closed cell insulating strips to close the 1/8” gap between the tonneau rail and the truck bed rail. I think it’ll work for me. I expect some rain/snow melt to get through but I can deal with that…hopefully.

 

[Gr8Hortoni]

I was leaning real hard towards the Billie Bars until I found the 589Fab Mid Rack. One thing I really like about the Billie bars were the molle panels, and how simple it was to remove the bars to use the bed fully. The 589 gives the same capability, with more bedside support for the integrated molle panels (BB charges 185 for each panel), and it does still work with a roll up tonneau cover (I found a video on YouTube showing the installation and test with a cover). I think you’d be happy with the BB but definitely nice to have options.

https://589fab.com/collections/ranger/products/adventure-rack-mid-height

 

[Colo_Ranger]

I have the Billie Bars, I really like how the uprights are 1 piece and there is a bracket at the top that supports the crossbeam. I'm very happy with the Billie Bars. Very stout.

 

[Colo_Ranger]

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