Deck Rail System - Is Used OK?

**sluggo** · 06-11-2010, 10:00 AM

I know a few of you here have installed your own deck rail systems, but most importantly those of you that have them probably know where they may break most easily. Anyone who's taken then off might also know if they're prone to break in certain places. If so, I'd appreciate any insight!

The reason I ask is that I'm meeting a coworker today who uninstalled his deck rail system before trading his truck in, and I want to be sure I know what to look for. So far, it seems I need to make sure

The installation pegs are not broken
The end caps are intact
The rails are not bent (he says one end of one is slightly bent but "it shouldn't affect anything" in his words)
There are 14 T-30 screws
there are 4 cleats

Any other advice would be most welcome!

**Toxarch** · 06-11-2010, 11:49 AM

The install pegs are just to line up the rails and hold them in place while you screw the rails in. It's OK if they are broken or missing.

**sluggo** · 06-11-2010, 08:27 PM

Thanks, Tox.

I picked this up from the guy, the only thing I didn't get was the screws. Are the screws for this the same as the ones holding my bedliner on the tailgate - anyone know?

**Toxarch** · 06-11-2010, 10:16 PM

M6x1 screws should work. Most any hardware store will have them, though probably not with a torx head like you might want.

**sluggo** · 06-12-2010, 07:57 AM

Thanks again Toxarch. If anyone around here has them, Elliott's would. If not I can probably find them online, I probably won't put them on until I get the tonneau installed, so I have some time...

**TAMUTUNDRA** · 06-13-2010, 12:37 PM

I have had some luck in Lowes...they have some odd stuff in there bins
but you are right about Elliots man I love that store...have to restrain myself !!

**sluggo** · 06-13-2010, 01:57 PM

^^Same here. I took my son so I wouldn't be able to browse as usual without him begging to leave. Prevented me from buying a new toy, I mean tool...

They didn't have torx head screws, but they had stainless hex head, which to my mind was the next best thing. Now I just have to fashion two new end caps, since it seems like two of them no longer stay in. Ah well, what can one expect for $40?

**Toxarch** · 06-13-2010, 02:19 PM

Take the cleat and mount one backwards on one side and the other one backwards at the other end. Then install the rail on the truck. If they are mounted backwards, then the cleats can't be removed without removing the rail with it. But you only need to do that if you think someone might take one of your cleats. For the loose end cap, I'd either just silicone them in place or drill a hole in the side and screw it in place.

**sluggo** · 06-13-2010, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by Toxarch

Take the cleat and mount one backwards on one side and the other one backwards at the other end. Then install the rail on the truck. If they are mounted backwards, then the cleats can't be removed without removing the rail with it.

Is that assuming the tailgate is locked? If so, I'm guessing the long metal block on the bottom of one side of each cleat makes it impossible to pull out far enough if it's pointed to the inside.

I guess if I leave the endcaps off at the tailgate, I can simply take the cleats out of the sides when I'm not using them and stow them with the jack. I can still use your security idea for the front rail.

**Toxarch** · 06-13-2010, 09:25 PM

Even with the tailgate locked, they can be removed. The end caps are mostly for looks so I wouldn't worry about them too much.

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