SR1 Bed Rack by Exceed Fabrication

[JTdiRtyD]

Are the optional enclosure panels you are referring to the molles on the side?

Nope, I'm talking solid panels that can bolt to the exterior to basically convert the rack into a topper. I don't know what kind of demand there is for enclosed half height racks/toppers, but I can speak for myself and a few others I know that we needed a half height because we need less then 82 inches overall height with all accessories to fit in our garages, but we also wanted to be able to keep our gear out of the elements and secured. Half racks get us under the 82 inches, but everything is still open to rain/dirt/snow and the bed is open to thieves.

Again, not sure how much demand there is for that ability, we might be the minority.

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[Exceed Fabrication]

Nope, I'm talking solid panels that can bolt to the exterior to basically convert the rack into a topper. I don't know what kind of demand there is for enclosed half height racks/toppers, but I can speak for myself and a few others I know that we needed a half height because we need less then 82 inches overall height with all accessories to fit in our garages, but we also wanted to be able to keep our gear out of the elements and secured. Half racks get us under the 82 inches, but everything is still open to rain/dirt/snow and the bed is open to thieves.

Again, not sure how much demand there is for that ability, we might be the minority.

I see...So what you're saying is that you want us to provide you with some solid boards to turn the rack into a bed cap?
Just curious why you don't just buy a bed cap, is it too expensive or too heavy? These racks were not designed with solid board closure options in mind, maybe the seams will leak, of course we can use some rubber strips to seal, but it seems that nothing is as easy as welding them directly.

Or let's jump out of this question, actually you need a half-height bed cap, right?

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Just curious why you don't just buy a bed cap, is it too expensive or too heavy?

No one in the US makes a half height bed cap. The only place I could find one was alibaba or whatever that site is, and you have to order at minimum two of them. So that leave people to either building one or enclosing a half height bed rack.

Full height bed caps, when you add an RTT to the top of them make the overall height too tall and you can no longer fit through the standard US 7ft garage door. A completely stock height truck might be able to, but lets face it, if we are adding a bed rack like these then chances are we are also adding a lift and bigger tires.

These racks were not designed with solid board closure options in mind, maybe the seams will leak, of course we can use some rubber strips to seal, but it seems that nothing is as easy as welding them directly.

The few companies that do offer enclosure panels for their racks just use optional bolt on panels. The panels alone keep most of the elements out, and if customers want they can add weatherstripping to them to seal them up.

Or let's jump out of this question, actually you need a half-height bed cap, right?

Yes, in the end what I really am getting at is a half height bed cap. But, if a half height bed rack can be converted to a cap by simply bolting on panels, even better. That makes one product capable of being two products, and gives the customer the ability to upgrade if they decided they wanted to enclose the bed.

Looking at your rack the design looks like it would be relatively easy to add panels to it. Top panel would be simple, just one big flat piece cut to fit (or two half length panels to make things easier for shipping and such). The side panels would just need a small bend to match the bend at the bottom side of the uprights, and since you use three uprights you could use two panels for the side, one front and one rear (again, making shipping easier). Sealing it would be pretty simple because you already have something to seal against around all edges. Even the rear door would be simple enough with your design. This is why I like your design, it's simple. Theres no crazy angles going every which direction, no flashy gimmicks.



Again, it was just a thought. I honestly don't know if there is a large enough market for it, but there might be. There's only a couple companies I'm aware of that offer the ability to enclose a half rack, and they want premium prices. The rack I currently have, they want almost double the cost of the rack itself JUST FOR THE PANELS. I think more people would go this route if our current options weren't so outrageously expensive (which is why this is a topic that's on my mind). I'm fortunate that I know how to design things in CAD and I can send files off to a local metal shop and they'll cut/form anything I need, so thats what I'm doing with my current half rack. I'll be able to enclose it, and it'll have a built in closeable cubby on one side for my Accessory power hookups and switch panel. I can post a screenshot of the drawing I have been working on for my current rack, if you're interested.

 

[Exceed Fabrication]

No one in the US makes a half height bed cap. The only place I could find one was alibaba or whatever that site is, and you have to order at minimum two of them. So that leave people to either building one or enclosing a half height bed rack.

Full height bed caps, when you add an RTT to the top of them make the overall height too tall and you can no longer fit through the standard US 7ft garage door. A completely stock height truck might be able to, but lets face it, if we are adding a bed rack like these then chances are we are also adding a lift and bigger tires.




The few companies that do offer enclosure panels for their racks just use optional bolt on panels. The panels alone keep most of the elements out, and if customers want they can add weatherstripping to them to seal them up.




Yes, in the end what I really am getting at is a half height bed cap. But, if a half height bed rack can be converted to a cap by simply bolting on panels, even better. That makes one product capable of being two products, and gives the customer the ability to upgrade if they decided they wanted to enclose the bed.

Looking at your rack the design looks like it would be relatively easy to add panels to it. Top panel would be simple, just one big flat piece cut to fit (or two half length panels to make things easier for shipping and such). The side panels would just need a small bend to match the bend at the bottom side of the uprights, and since you use three uprights you could use two panels for the side, one front and one rear (again, making shipping easier). Sealing it would be pretty simple because you already have something to seal against around all edges. Even the rear door would be simple enough with your design. This is why I like your design, it's simple. Theres no crazy angles going every which direction, no flashy gimmicks.



Again, it was just a thought. I honestly don't know if there is a large enough market for it, but there might be. There's only a couple companies I'm aware of that offer the ability to enclose a half rack, and they want premium prices. The rack I currently have, they want almost double the cost of the rack itself JUST FOR THE PANELS. I think more people would go this route if our current options weren't so outrageously expensive (which is why this is a topic that's on my mind). I'm fortunate that I know how to design things in CAD and I can send files off to a local metal shop and they'll cut/form anything I need, so thats what I'm doing with my current half rack. I'll be able to enclose it, and it'll have a built in closeable cubby on one side for my Accessory power hookups and switch panel. I can post a screenshot of the drawing I have been working on for my current rack, if you're interested.

I've seen a lot of half-height caps, and I've wondered why they're so rare in the US. I thought people prefer the look of full-height caps and more dry storage space, but garage doors are a PITA.

Let me guess what a half-height bed cap should look like:

1. First of all, it should be a qualified and reasonably priced cap that's waterproof, sturdy, and doesn't have too many weird decorations.

2. Gull-wing doors with locking function, either with an additional compression lock or with a tailgate.

3. Enough external fixing points to allow for the addition of rigs such as shovels, fire extinguishers, etc. There are sturdy fixing points on the top to install RTT

4. After adding the RTT, the overall height is preferably level with the cab to get garage door access and a balanced look

5. Some bonus points: partitioned storage space, interior lights, body color, more upright sides to match the Gladiator's cab.

It's easy to add some steel plates to seal the rack, but I'm not sure if I can still add gull-wing doors to it with the current structure, at least the tail should be able to open. Whatever the market, I think I might try making some steel plates like your idea, sounds interesting.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

I've seen a lot of half-height caps, and I've wondered why they're so rare in the US. I thought people prefer the look of full-height caps and more dry storage space, but garage doors are a PITA.

Let me guess what a half-height bed cap should look like:

1. First of all, it should be a qualified and reasonably priced cap that's waterproof, sturdy, and doesn't have too many weird decorations.

2. Gull-wing doors with locking function, either with an additional compression lock or with a tailgate.

3. Enough external fixing points to allow for the addition of rigs such as shovels, fire extinguishers, etc. There are sturdy fixing points on the top to install RTT

4. After adding the RTT, the overall height is preferably level with the cab to get garage door access and a balanced look

5. Some bonus points: partitioned storage space, interior lights, body color, more upright sides to match the Gladiator's cab.

It's easy to add some steel plates to seal the rack, but I'm not sure if I can still add gull-wing doors to it with the current structure, at least the tail should be able to open. Whatever the market, I think I might try making some steel plates like your idea, sounds interesting.

All great points in my opinion!

I agree gull wing side doors would be ideal. I built a full height cap for my last truck and it had gull wing doors. I loved them and they made accessing things inside the bed so much easier, but for this half rack I'm not doing gull wing doors because:

1. I'm not sure if they'd be as convenient with the smaller opening being half the height
2. Because of #1 I didn't want to spend the time figuring them out

Curious what you may come up with! I'll be telling folks to check out your bed rack for sure.

Also, I was looking through the Exceed subforum and reading some of your trip stories. It's awesome to follow along on your adventures from across the pond. Theres so many Youtube channels in the US that show the same places over and over, it's great to see something different.

I also really like how transparent you are about starting your business, your thoughts throughout it all, your development of your products, etc. I get the impression you are doing this out of passion and not just because you want to make money. I like seeing businesses and designers talking with potential customers, it builds positive relationships and networks, something we need more of.

Not to derail the thread, but have you made it to the US yet to attend and expos?

 

[Exceed Fabrication]

All great points in my opinion!

I agree gull wing side doors would be ideal. I built a full height cap for my last truck and it had gull wing doors. I loved them and they made accessing things inside the bed so much easier, but for this half rack I'm not doing gull wing doors because:

1. I'm not sure if they'd be as convenient with the smaller opening being half the height
2. Because of #1 I didn't want to spend the time figuring them out

Curious what you may come up with! I'll be telling folks to check out your bed rack for sure.

Also, I was looking through the Exceed subforum and reading some of your trip stories. It's awesome to follow along on your adventures from across the pond. Theres so many Youtube channels in the US that show the same places over and over, it's great to see something different.

I also really like how transparent you are about starting your business, your thoughts throughout it all, your development of your products, etc. I get the impression you are doing this out of passion and not just because you want to make money. I like seeing businesses and designers talking with potential customers, it builds positive relationships and networks, something we need more of.

Not to derail the thread, but have you made it to the US yet to attend and expos?

I don't think it's a big deal, from the half-height caps I've tried, it's just a little difference, and most of the time I didn't even realize it was a half-height.
Thank you so much for liking our travel stories! We've been so busy this year that I haven't had time to make these videos, and sometimes I'll watch them myself and sigh at how many interesting places I've been to.
Actually, I was very nervous at first, I haven't met many people who communicate directly as a Chinese like me, and my heart was beating fast when I released EP1, and I deliberately didn't look at my phone. Because I didn't want to know how people reacted and commented on my videos, you know when you care too much about the result of something, you will want to escape, but I'm happy that most people are still friendly.
I like to share my insights, maybe it can help others, give some reference opinions to buyers or give some experience to some people who are considering starting a business. And for me, sharing is also a kind of practice, so I am happy to do it.
I want to come to the exhibition and meet and communicate with more American friends, but I'm still working on my visa LOL

 

[ArmyMP]

Take a look at some of the pics in my build thread. You can see how tall I am with a full size rack.

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