Truxedo Sentry and BillieBars (and Kayaks)

[GladiatorRock]

Heya all,
I have a Truxedo Sentry, but I’d like to add a rack to haul both kayaks and ski equipment…and also be able to remove the crossbars so I can drop five bikes in the bed.

two things:
1. Has anyone here tried this combination? It looks like it would work, but hearing someone’s experience is always valuable.

2. Am I better off getting a full height rack if kayaks are part of my goal?
Thanks!

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[MER21]

I have the KB Voodoo PRO-X Crossbars and love them: https://www.kbvoodoo.com/all-prox-crossbars/prox-crossbars-jeep-gladiator

They also have a large assortment of full size bed racks for the JT: https://www.max-modular.com/jeep-gladiator-bed-racks

Give them a call if you have any questions. They have the best customer service I have dealt with in a very long time.

 

[sharpsicle]

Full height racks are great for stability and reliability, but not so much for modularity. BillieBars is going to be the best option if you want low-profile and/or modularity. You may end up spending a bit more in total when you add up the mounting accessories with them for whatever you haul on them, but that's the price you pay for flexibility. You'd be close all-in with a full-size rack anyway once you add the toys to it.

It sounds like you do want that level of flexibility, so a BillieBars setup would be my recommended starting point for you. They are well-designed and have some nice options, including outward-facing molle panel attachments to maximize their utility. I have them and can attest to their ability to quickly adapt/remove crossbars but maintaining their usability all the while. The Truxedo is going to be the biggest hurdle to overcome, but a quick chat with the folks at @BillieBars should help know your options. They have the best service in the business and are a forum sponsor to boot. If memory serves, the Truxedo shouldn't be an issue for them.

If it makes you feel any better, the BillieBars should be the easiest to accommodate the Truxedo. You're definitely going to have issues keeping the Truxedo with a full rack.

 

[GladiatorRock]

Thanks folks! I'm leaning toward BillieBars, though the only use case that annoys me is kayaks... a full rack would allow for kayaks to go from cab to tail, rather than a big overhang. Still, I think I should be able to rack them on the Billies... might be close on center of gravity for a longer yak though.
I spoke with the BillieBar folks and they weren't sure about the Sentry, as they haven't hit the use case yet, but I'm fairly certain that removing/thinning some of the foam "gasket" from the bottom of the Sentry rails would do the trick.

 

[sharpsicle]

Thanks folks! I'm leaning toward BillieBars, though the only use case that annoys me is kayaks... a full rack would allow for kayaks to go from cab to tail, rather than a big overhang. Still, I think I should be able to rack them on the Billies... might be close on center of gravity for a longer yak though.
I spoke with the BillieBar folks and they weren't sure about the Sentry, as they haven't hit the use case yet, but I'm fairly certain that removing/thinning some of the foam "gasket" from the bottom of the Sentry rails would do the trick.

They have that covered too. Can bias the crossbars further forward on the bed if you want to reduce hang over the rear.

https://billiebars.com/collections/water-sports/products/billiebars-kayak-mount-kit

 

[GladiatorRock]

They have that covered too

https://billiebars.com/collections/water-sports/products/billiebars-kayak-mount-kit

Oh crap! That's awesome!!

 

[MER21]

By the time you add up the cost of the crossbars and those kayak holders, you would be better off just getting an actual bed rack.

https://www.max-modular.com/jeep-gladiator-bed-racks-1/max-modular-22-high-aluminum-bed-rack

You would be able to keep your tonneau cover and roll it back with the rack installed to still keep your truck a truck and utilize your bed.

 

[sharpsicle]

By the time you add up the cost of the crossbars and those kayak holders, you would be better off just getting an actual bed rack.

https://www.max-modular.com/jeep-gladiator-bed-racks-1/max-modular-22-high-aluminum-bed-rack

You would be able to keep your tonneau cover and roll it back with the rack installed to still keep your truck a truck and utilize your bed.

Don't forget, an actual bed rack like the one you linked isn't a "once and done" purchase either. You still need to get the mounts and attachment points your gear requires there too. Not to mention, it's not easy to remove to make full use of the bed like he wants. Definitely a convenience cost that needs to be considered there too.

I remember comparing that exact rack you linked before going with the BillieBars, and there's a decent commitment you have to make to having that rack that you just don't need to make with BillieBars. You can make them as big as full as you want, or as small as you want, or even remove the crossbars so they're not there at all. That freedom for some of us is the key.

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