Overland Bed Rack

Sweet5ltr · Post by **Sweet5ltr** » Mon Apr 03, 2017 12:30 pm

I see that AEV has been building a few special-order overland rack systems for RAM owners. Would this be more popular on this forum if it was more readily available (and not stratosphere pricing like AEV)? A good friend owns a metal-working/custom fabrication shop, he told me he could handle building a similar rack system without issues. Seems no different than building a roll-cage in that regard.

YouTube · Post by **OffroadTreks** » Mon Apr 03, 2017 12:47 pm

F*** YES. If you are talking about the rack they built that works with Ram Box trucks. I want someone to build me one. And I'd pay AEV prices because no one makes one that isn't for actually ladders.

YouTube · Post by **OffroadTreks** » Mon Apr 03, 2017 12:51 pm

That being said, I think yellowranger1 has a better designed rack then what I've seen AEV produce. But I've seen three AEV trucks with racks and Ram Boxes.

Post by **DamageWagon** » Mon Apr 03, 2017 2:19 pm

Heck when we get moved into our new place in Oregon I'll make you one Mike. Sounds like I'm already making Reloader some rock sliders.

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TwinStick · Post by **TwinStick** » Mon Apr 03, 2017 2:49 pm

Yeah, I am really diggin the AEV one as well. Looks like it was made around the J B tent. It looks integrated & smooth. Can't imagine what AEV prices would be on that though. The tent alone is $4800, in black. http://ok4wd.com/shop-by-vendor/james-b ... oftop-tent

olyelr · Post by **olyelr** » Mon Apr 03, 2017 3:29 pm

Not sure if anyone has seen this company yet, but they make these types of bed cages. Have them for the rambox, too.

https://nuthouseindustries.com/product- ... uck-racks/

YouTube · Post by **OffroadTreks** » Mon Apr 03, 2017 3:44 pm

DamageWagon wrote:Heck when we get moved into our new place in Oregon I'll make you one Mike. Sounds like I'm already making Reloader some rock sliders.

What part of Oregon are you going to be in? Might have to plan some exploring. The only downside to settling down in Idaho is we left all our friends and family back east. Don't know anyone. I've been wanting to learn to weld. And I'm sure I could youtube some videos. But not the same as having someone you know who you can get back some beers with and get some garage time in with on a project. So I might have to take you up on that offer.

olyelr wrote:Not sure if anyone has seen this company yet, but they make these types of bed cages. Have them for the rambox, too.

https://nuthouseindustries.com/product- ... uck-racks/

I've seen these on IG. I'm bummed they only have renderings for the Ram Box model. No pictures. And at the price of my bumper.... I dunno. I was quoted by a local shop just over the phone at around $600-$800. I didn't go in yet to really discuss. Then again, I'm afraid to remind myself what I paid for the WKS... I forgot. Hopefully less than that rack.

Reloaderguy · Post by **Reloaderguy** » Mon Apr 03, 2017 4:08 pm

MikeKey wrote:
DamageWagon wrote:Heck when we get moved into our new place in Oregon I'll make you one Mike. Sounds like I'm already making Reloader some rock sliders.
What part of Oregon are you going to be in? Might have to plan some exploring. The only downside to settling down in Idaho is we left all our friends and family back east. Don't know anyone. I've been wanting to learn to weld. And I'm sure I could youtube some videos. But not the same as having someone you know who you can get back some beers with and get some garage time in with on a project. So I might have to take you up on that offer.

olyelr wrote:Not sure if anyone has seen this company yet, but they make these types of bed cages. Have them for the rambox, too.

https://nuthouseindustries.com/product- ... uck-racks/
I've seen these on IG. I'm bummed they only have renderings for the Ram Box model. No pictures. And at the price of my bumper.... I dunno. I was quoted by a local shop just over the phone at around $600-$800. I didn't go in yet to really discuss. Then again, I'm afraid to remind myself what I paid for the WKS... I forgot. Hopefully less than that rack.

He's moving to the tight pants and rain side of the state.

Post by **DamageWagon** » Mon Apr 03, 2017 4:55 pm

Reloader nailed it Mike. Wes'side means something different here I guess. We will be south of Portland, leaning towards Mcminnville. If you want me to make one I'm down to spend some shop time with you

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BlkWgn · Post by **BlkWgn** » Mon Apr 03, 2017 5:18 pm

a buddy of mine owns Leitner Designs https://www.leitnerdesigns.com/ and they make a pretty nice bed rack set up.

Post by **DamageWagon** » Mon Apr 03, 2017 5:42 pm

BlkWgn wrote:a buddy of mine owns Leitner Designs https://www.leitnerdesigns.com/ and they make a pretty nice bed rack set up.

I wouldn't touch a Leitner rack. He needs to get serious about the design phase before charging half the price he does.

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BlkWgn · Post by **BlkWgn** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 3:50 pm

I would be curious to hear what you dont like about the design, the few people I know that have them are very happy with it. Though I camp with him fairly often, I have not checked out the rack that closely.

YouTube · Post by **OffroadTreks** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 5:15 pm

Looks super modular. Very unitarian and functional. Probably great margins on that product for the owner.

Looks like it's not designed to match the back of any one particular truck, looking at the photos of the site. I'd say the major components are the same across the board with change outs to match bed length. I've seen similar ladder racks at nearly 1/3rd the cost. The only unique piece I see is the top and bottom rails allowing accessory mounting in the centers. Which is really a unique differentiator for the product. I'd say that increases some of it's value. I suppose if it's a 1 man shop made in the USA I could see maybe paying between 700-1000. But not 1500+. Just adding some accessories to the rack and you're well on your way into two grand territory easily. But that's just my objective opinion.

Post by **DamageWagon** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 5:32 pm

1. Very expensive for the type of product you're getting. It is unique and beautiful so that has merit, but holy cow that's a lot of money!

2. Not Rambox compatible, but it looks like it's so close to working?

3. I have heard stories of fatigue failure of the joints/welds under normal operating conditions. That right there is the clincher. You really have to understand aluminum weldments to effectively use them in a fatigue application, and that isn't to say that the designer who made the rack doesn't understand aluminum, but obviously it isn't working in that scenario.

Just from the standpoint of a designer I like that it is a modular system that is not specific to a vehicle. That keeps costs down and just looks cool. I like the super light weight. I like that you can move or remove the racks. The rack I designed and made for my truck (though I ended up not using this feature just co I could get it made a little cheaper) was to weld tabs onto the frame and bushing housings onto the crossbars so that two pins was all it took to remove a crossbar, and the whole assembly was very sturdy with just the two front permanent crossbars. Leitner tried something cool and different with theirs, but if it isn't structurally sound, that's a no-go.

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YouTube · Post by **OffroadTreks** » Sat Oct 21, 2017 5:34 pm

Finally, there is an option for Ram Box Owners

https://dethloffmfg.com/shop/rambox-truck-rack/

RamGentry · Post by **RamGentry** » Sun Oct 22, 2017 2:17 pm

Sweet, I can finally post in this thread after almost two years of dreaming this up

I wanted full use of the bed, be able to cover all my gear with the tonneau cover, and keep the tent below the roof line. Cover can still be rolled up, pretty useful.

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