Chase Rack/Tire Carrier/Bed Storage

[Mike175]

However you want to call it, I know these items have been discussed at length in some form or another. I cannot however, find what I am looking for.

I have been looking for some time at every vender possible and most homemade set ups. Not finding what I want I am going to play around with designing my own and see how finically feasible it is to have it made for me by a local custom welder.
The general theme with them all is to keep two spares up forward in the bed closest to the cab. I know Rogue makes a tire carrier at the rear and are the only ones I've been able to find. Other than some serious builds hanging them off the rear or cutting into the bed or some mall crawler jeep swinging tire carrier. I want to keep my tailgate as is for now.

My question is, why are most everyone keeping them up against the cab? To me it makes more sense to keep the added weight further rearward as possible to help balance out these slobs and aid in traction. As well, it makes more sense to have the tires at the rear for easier access instead of dragging them over coolers, pelican cases, and whatever else you've stuffed in it.

Is it just ease of build? Shooter preference? Or is there something obvious I am missing here?

 

[Deleted member 12951]

This?

Or easy access to the spares and more room in the bed

Having the spares back is not a bad idea just seems like you do have to lose the tailgate.

 

[Mike175]

I was thinking something similar to this one below. I found it over on the F150 forum. He had raptor wheels on it.
And to answer your question Rick, Yes just like the first two photos. I haven't seen them before and I though I have exhausted all google had.

 

[MatMan]

Haha, what a small world. The rack you have pictured is now installed on my raptor.

I bought it from the original owner who had it fabbed up and installed in his F150.

It's a perfect and very flexible setup, which can accommodate multiple configurations.

Highly recommend this approach, albeit it somewhat heavier than say the outlaw rack.

Benefits include easy access to the spares and tools if you have a flat. And a cooler can be mounted in between the tires.

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Trick.Raptor]

Take a look at the Lex Baja Elite...

http://raptorsvtparts.com/bumpers-racks/chase-racks/lex-baja-elite-bed-storage-system.html

I have a Lex Baja Elite bumper and the build quality is excellent.

As for rack location, I went rear for ease of use. I didn't want to crawl over tires etc. to get to the usable part of the bed. It's a trade-off for me.

 

[Deleted member 12951]

Take a look at the Lex Baja Elite...

http://raptorsvtparts.com/bumpers-racks/chase-racks/lex-baja-elite-bed-storage-system.html

I have a Lex Baja Elite bumper and the build quality is excellent.

As for rack location, I went rear for ease of use. I didn't want to crawl over tires etc. to get to the usable part of the bed. It's a trade-off for me.

I wasn't aware who made that when I found the pic. Not bad for the base price but add all the option, you can double the price.

 

[Mike175]

@MatMan that is a great set up and I think you stole it for the price he had listed it at on the other forum. I really like that and will probably go in that direction. Any other negatives other than weight? Anything you would change or want to see different? I am thinking now, I would push the tires out flush with the bedsides to increase space and access through the middle.
@Trick_Raptor and @RDFTS, thanks for finding that for me. I thought I had seen them all. I like that set up. I want to incorporate some bedside supports and a larger Pelican case between the tires. It obviously will be a total rework and may not be feasible. I will check though.
Do you have any drawbacks from it in that configuration at all?

To me it makes perfect sense to have it all in the rear like that. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't a real reason why most everyone isn't doing it. Like the bed is too weak to support it at speed off-road or it's going to cause some major issue to the truck. If there is no real reason why they are always against the cab than I will move forward with finding someone to make one how I like.

 

[Kahuna]

J, being from the north, make sure you really want a rack with upright wheels. Personally, I don't want to have to deal with snow and ice in the bed so was not willing to give up my bed cover.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

[Thomas_JohnDoe]

J, being from the north, make sure you really want a rack with upright wheels. Personally, I don't want to have to deal with snow and ice in the bed so was not willing to give up my bed cover.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

Me too, since some ******* stole my spare from underneath the truck I decided to cary my next spare in the bed, I would love a svc v2 rack, but for now I'll stick with just a basic strap

 

[Mike175]

Hi Kahuna!
You and Mr. John Doe bring up a very valid point.
Now as it sits I don't have a cover and my light rack pretty much means I wont anytime soon. I keep it parked in my garage which helps too. (Honestly too I am really hoping to keep it there all winter and find myself a suitable winter rat).

I guess to that point though, I hope to make it removable to a point. How light and thus easy it will be? Who knows but I hope to make it with cups on the bed bolts so that spring time mulch can go in and plywood/sheetrock odds and ends as well if and when I need to.