Thule Xscape Truck Rack Installation on a 2021 Toyota Tacoma
The 2021 Toyota Tacoma is one of the most popular midsize trucks for drivers in Calgary and throughout Alberta thanks to its versatility for work, camping, mountain travel, and overlanding. With a tonneau cover and bed rail system already installed, creating a clean and functional rack setup required careful planning and vehicle-specific components. For this installation, our team installed a Thule Xscape truck rack system paired with Thule Xscape 60-inch load bars. The finished setup provides a strong, adjustable platform ideal for carrying bikes, rooftop tents, cargo, kayaks, and outdoor gear year-round.
Clean, Secure Fit on the 2021 Toyota Tacoma
This Toyota Tacoma featured a tonneau cover setup that required additional pre-installation work before the rack system could be mounted correctly. To create the proper foundation for the Thule Xscape system, we removed the tonneau cover and remounted the inner T-tracks onto the inside of the truck bed rails.
Once the bed rail system was properly repositioned, the Thule Xscape towers and Toyota-specific C-rail clamp kit were installed securely onto the truck bed. The result is a strong, low-profile rack system with excellent load support and compatibility for a wide range of outdoor and work accessories.
What We Installed on This 2021 Toyota Tacoma
- Thule Xscape Tower Mounting Fit Kits C-Rail Clamp Kit (Toyota) - 500106
- Thule Xscape Truck Rack Towers Bedrail C-Clamp
- Thule Xscape Load Bars Short - 60"
Why This Rack Setup Works for Calgary Drivers
- Strong bed-mounted design ideal for trucks carrying larger outdoor gear
- Excellent compatibility for rooftop tents, bikes, cargo, ladders, and kayaks
- Adjustable crossbar positioning adds flexibility for different accessory layouts
- Perfect for Alberta overlanding, camping, mountain travel, and four-season use
Important Fit Note: Tonneau Covers and Bed Rail Systems
Some truck rack installations, including this Toyota Tacoma build, require modifications or adjustments to existing tonneau cover hardware before the rack system can be properly mounted. The exact rail configuration and tonneau design can significantly affect compatibility and installation time.
On this Tacoma, pre-installation work took approximately 30 minutes, while the complete rack installation required roughly 3 hours to properly remove, reposition, and remount the bed rail tracks before securing the rack system.
Professional Installation by Our Calgary Team
Our team completed this Tacoma installation with the same attention to detail we bring to every roof rack and truck rack project:
- Verified compatibility between the tonneau cover and Thule Xscape system
- Removed and remounted the inner T-track bed rail components
- Adjusted crossbar spacing for optimal accessory compatibility
- Checked rack alignment and load distribution across the truck bed
- Torqued all hardware to Thule manufacturer specifications
Your Local Roof Rack Experts
At Roof Racks Calgary, our team actively uses the gear we install for camping, paddling, biking, skiing, and backcountry travel throughout Alberta year-round. We understand the real-world challenges of truck rack compatibility, tonneau cover integration, and heavy-duty outdoor use.
Whether you’re building an overland Tacoma setup, adding rooftop tent capability, or simply creating more usable cargo space, we can help you choose the right rack system for your truck and your lifestyle.
Get Help Choosing the Right Rack System
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Edmonton:
(p) 780-463-4892
(e) edmonton@aqoutdoors.com -
Calgary:
(p) 403-288-9283
(e) info@aqoutdoors.com
