Overland truck bed racks are a great way to add more storage space and convenience to your vehicle. They can be used for carrying extra cargo, camping gear, and even off-road accessories.
With the right setup, you can turn any pickup truck into a formidable off-road machine. Here’s how you can make an overland truck bed rack for yourself.
Step 1: Measure Your Truck Bed
The first step in building your own overland truck bed rack is measuring the size of your truck bed. This will help you determine what size rack you need and how much weight it can carry. You’ll also want to make sure that the rack will fit securely in the bed without interfering with other components such as tailgates or ladders.
Step 2: Choose a Design
Once you know the size of your truck bed, you can begin looking for designs that would work best for your needs. There are many different styles of overland truck bed racks available, including traditional ladder racks, crossbar racks, and more. Consider what type of cargo you plan on carrying and how much weight it will require before settling on a design.
Step 3: Gather Materials
Now that you have a design chosen, it’s time to gather the necessary materials for building your own overland truck bed rack. You’ll need some sturdy steel or aluminum tubing as well as bolts and washers to attach everything together. It’s also important to have plenty of sandpaper or steel wool on hand to smooth out any rough edges or welds.
Step 4: Assemble the Pieces
Once all of your materials are ready, it’s time to start assembling the pieces of your overland truck bed rack. Start by cutting all of the tubes to size using a hacksaw or metal saw then begin welding them together using a MIG welder. Make sure all of the welds are strong and free from gaps before moving on to the next step.
Step 5: Install Rack onto Truck Bed
Once all of the pieces are welded together, it’s time to install them onto your truck bed. If your design includes crossbars or ladders, make sure they are securely attached with bolts and washers before mounting them onto the bed rails using U-bolts or clamps.
Conclusion
Making an overland truck bed rack is not as difficult as it may seem at first glance. With careful planning and some basic tools, anyone can build their own custom storage solution that will allow them to take their off-road adventures to new heights!
