Ski Cargo Ideas when bed is full…

New here… Finally bought my first Tundra ‘24 platinum iForce w/ 5.5ft bed… planning on suspension, wheels+tires, trd grill, lights, and cab/bed racks long term for maximum gear… an (investment) marathon, not a sprint

short term problem I am working on… It came with the OEM Tonneau cover. Will be roadtripping all winter, so I want to keep the cover for now. trying to figure out how best to carry 3-4 pairs of 190cm+ skis when the rest of the bed is full of other gear. Initials thoughts are Elevate Racks plus my the Yakima Grand Tour 18 roof box I have from my former SUV life. A 7 foot cargo box might look a little silly but oh well.

are the Elevate racks the right way to go? The full height uptop truss overland bed racks would be a pretty cool more expensive alternative…

 

I am hoping someone shares a rack solution where the ski's are on the "side" for easy access and not up top.

 

Yakima EXO has SnowBank mount for skis. It all sits on the hitch. We have EXO with couple of 10 cu.ft boxes for wife's Sequoia, it is hands down more convenient than anything on the roof.

 

You could add some billie bars or make something similar and mount your Yakima trunk to them, will hand off the back a little though. Just for ideas.
https://billiebars.com/products/bil...T1TZ3N6XTxwP3IX73v-GlKlmm2xtpEWQaAndsEALw_wcB

 

We have tonneau compatible crossbars that are made with a smaller sized bar, specifically for mounting ski racks: https://www.kbvoodoo.com/prox-bike-and-ski/proxbikeandski-tundra-crossbars-2007-to-present-me6gc

 

in my search, the elevate racks were going to be the only thing I can use while still being able to fold the tonneau cover if I needed to. I have the mx4, installed the elevate rails at the same time to future proof any issues, that way when the time comes I can just purchase the elevate racks and throw crossbars on it, or a basket etc.

 

yes, this would be sweet. Although might put skis at risk from road kick up. Let me know if u find anything

 

Thanks, looks like box wont fit 190s or really any long ski
May look into some others

 

Looking that way for me as well, tri fold makes it tough

 

I was looking myself for something that would work with the MX4.

I just started looking, but these maybe? I haven't had the time to research it.

https://realtruck.com/p/elevate-rack-system/v/toyota/tundra/2023/

 

I have seen some feedback that LEOs are contacting folks that have “stuff” that obscures license plates. I hope that isn’t true. I don’t understand the big deal with not being able to see the plate.

 

I think that something like the Uptop racks would give you a side to mount a ski rack to. I found a way to carry my tent, 2 kayaks and 2 bikes along with all the camping gear.

It is a bit awkward to get the stuff out of the bed (when everything is on the truck) but I can reach in from the tailgate and grab most things with relative ease. I do have a bedrug so I can kneel on the surface without too much issue.

I was able to make a bracket to carry the bike racks that mounts to the side molle of the rack. Sits at about 5' off the ground.

Anything can be done once you decide what your starting point is and build out from there.

 

It’s actually a huge deal if you’re doing LEO work.

 

Maybe....

 

I just see a lot of folks with “stuff” in the receiver hitch like bike racks, platforms with storage containers and such that obscure the plates all the time, so I assumed nobody really cares or it’s ok.

 

This is what Yakima did to give you an option when covering the rear plate.

Looks like a smart idea and should stop the LEO's from pulling you over.

 

Skiis should fit on the diagonal?
Make a simple plywood platform above wheel wells for skiis with the rest of the junk underneath.
A sheet of ply with a handle on floor of the box will let you slide out the junk instead crawling in there.
I keep a “clearing stick” (hockey stick) to reach under the tonneau.

 

That's your liability to display license plate in a clear and unobstructed way. EXO + 1 box does not obstruct it, but 2 boxes certainly hide it. Yakima sells an illuminated license plate transfer plate. I didn't like that it protrudes below the box and made my own.

 

Seasucker ski racks?

https://www.seasucker.com/products/...BDoEY2vmCLi8gfONmr8Y8Vhy-leQ0PlMaAv__EALw_wcB

 

I bought a set of kbvoodoo bed bars for my tundra to haul my roof top tent and bike on. They work pretty good and are easy to install!

 

I have seersucker fly rod holders in boat. One broke. There are no parts or repair options when you contact them. If you leave a snarky comment on Instagram they say, "contact us" but still not parts or repair. That be my experience.

 

Was able to get the elevate bars on and my yakima cargo box

good news is, it works

bad news is, it looks dorky

I can run the box forward when bars are at highest setting, and have it overhang on my cab, but it looks like a sail

at the low setting, the box works in reverse but hangs a few inches off the back… almost wish i had some lower height bars so it didnt ride so high

 

If you don't mind using your window, I've used

Ski Hiker - Car, Truck & Van Snow Ski Window Rack

these for years and they work well.

 

Are those the RealTruck Elevate TS Rails (Part # 1118346) you have installed? They do work well with the stock Toyota tonneau cover? No leaks?

 

They do fit with the oem tonneau after ripping out the weather stripping from the rails. Didnt need to use the clamps either that came with the railes. I imagine its less water tight than it was, but nothing im worried about. Iv done a couple of hose tests so far, nothing major visible

Got them from realtruck, they got a nice deal goin right now
PART #:1118570
PART #:1118358&TRX-1118959