Wooden Bed Rack

[OFC Ranger]

Edit; title should reference a CARGO rack.

Cheaper and can be any dimension I want. Built with proper hardware, sealed and then coated (bed liner f example).

Tell me why I am stupid for considering this option.

Every rack I look at is either

- too expensive
- not wide enough
- not long enough
- some combination of the above

This cargo rack will go on a 58” cab height RCI bed rack. I plan to go camping and light duty off roading.

I want a rack that is around 45-50” wide, roughly 100-110” long, and doesnt cost $2000 to haul some supply crates and solar panel system around.

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[Glocker]

Edit; title should reference a CARGO rack.

Cheaper and can be any dimension I want. Built with proper hardware, sealed and then coated (bed liner f example).

Tell me why I am stupid for considering this option.

Every rack I look at is either

- too expensive
- not wide enough
- not long enough
- some combination of the above

This cargo rack will go on a 58” cab height RCI bed rack. I plan to go camping and light duty off roading.

I want a rack that is around 45-50” wide, roughly 100-110” long, and doesnt cost $2000 to haul some supply crates and solar panel system around.

I don't think it's stupid. But here are some considerations:
-Bulk - It'll probably be bulky due to wood construction
-Fragile - I wouldn't coat it in bed liner material, it'll trap water and rot from the inside. The wood will be fragile and break down over time no matter what due to environmental conditions. It'll take a while, but still wont last as long as metal.
-Quality - Can't beat welded metal in this case, I believe.

That being said, you could probably turn out a really nice product that will still give you years of great service despite the pitfalls of using wood. I say go for it!

 

[OFC Ranger]

I don't think it's stupid. But here are some considerations:
-Bulk - It'll probably be bulky due to wood construction
-Fragile - I wouldn't coat it in bed liner material, it'll trap water and rot from the inside. The wood will be fragile and break down over time no matter what due to environmental conditions. It'll take a while, but still wont last as long as metal.
-Quality - Can't beat welded metal in this case, I believe.

That being said, you could probably turn out a really nice product that will still give you years of great service despite the pitfalls of using wood. I say go for it!

Yes this is a stop gap while I save pennies for a steel one to construct. If i can get 1 year out of it i Will be happy

 

[myothercarizahearse]

go for it. having already built a wooden boat, I would recommend marine epoxy used for fiberglass to seal it. Then you can paint however you like. you could definitely get a few years out of it

 

[WOADKIL]

go for it. having already built a wooden boat, I would recommend marine epoxy used for fiberglass to seal it. Then you can paint however you like. you could definitely get a few years out of it

Could actually wrap the wood in glass mat and then resin it over!

Joints have to be strong and not wiggle.

I second going for it!

 

[slowmachine]

Not sure exactly what you’re trying to do , but I assume you want this rack to cantilever over the cab like the one in your photo. There are many sources of large racks for vans, but all of them rely on full-length support from the van roof. You know that wood will be bulky and heavy to get the required strength. Just spitballing here, but you might consider using aluminum extension ladder sections for the base. They have better cantilever strength than anything I can think of for the cost. Three sections should provide your desired width.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Not sure exactly what you’re trying to do , but I assume you want this rack to cantilever over the cab like the one in your photo. There are many sources of large racks for vans, but all of them rely on full-length support from the van roof. You know that wood will be bulky and heavy to get the required strength. Just spitballing here, but you might consider using aluminum extension ladder sections for the base. They have better cantilever strength than anything I can think of for the cost. Three sections should provide your desired width.

This thread is super old FYI. The solution ended up being an aluminum / unistrut mixture sub-frame and 3/4" dura-slat grating. Its connected to the RCI bed rack via carriage bolts down the spine.

 

[JohnnyO]

I don't think it's stupid. But here are some considerations:
-Bulk - It'll probably be bulky due to wood construction
-Fragile - I wouldn't coat it in bed liner material, it'll trap water and rot from the inside. The wood will be fragile and break down over time no matter what due to environmental conditions. It'll take a while, but still wont last as long as metal.
-Quality - Can't beat welded metal in this case, I believe.

That being said, you could probably turn out a really nice product that will still give you years of great service despite the pitfalls of using wood. I say go for it!

Agree, use pressure treated wood and re-coat it every year or two.
The main problem I see is finding a way to attach it securely. The bed hook bolt holes are the only thing to bolt into and they're low in the bed. That's okay but you need to figure a way to attach it near the top of the bed too.

 

[slowmachine]

This thread is super old FYI. The solution ended up being an aluminum / unistrut mixture sub-frame and 3/4" dura-slat grating. Its connected to the RCI bed rack via carriage bolts down the spine.

I should have guessed. I was wondering what was wrong with your current setup that made you want to rebuild. I didn’t notice the dead thread resurrection.

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