Help Us Choose a Handle Design for Our Truck Bed Rack (A–E)

[TRUMGETA]

Hey everyone!

We're working on a few handle design options for our TRUMGETA Truck Bed Rack, and we'd like to get some feedback from the Tacoma community before making a final decision.

We've put together five different designs (A–E). The handle mounting position stays the same, as shown in the photos. We're mainly looking at the shape and overall appearance of the handle.

Rather than just picking what looks good to us, we figured we'd ask the people who actually use their trucks.

Based on appearance alone, which handle design should we prototype next? Assume the material, strength, price, and mounting position are identical. — A, B, C, D, or E?

You can view a clearer version here

Feel free to vote in the poll or drop your pick in the comments.

We're especially interested in hearing why you'd choose one over the others. Is it the shape, the size, the way it looks on the rack, or something else?

And if none of these quite work for you, we'd love to hear what you'd change.

We're taking the feedback seriously as we narrow down the design.

Appreciate everyone's input!

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[Turbo2Pete]

Personally I chose C, it had enough to grab onto... D to me looks hazardous- that's a hook at the bottom? If we're using that to reach up top and slip that could do serious damage to a person.



And a question - is this rack compatible with the Realtruck Retrax Pro T-slot mounting? Tha ks

 

[ApexTaco]

Can't go wrong with C or E. The others look like screen door handles.

 

[OminousSkitter]

Personally I chose C, it had enough to grab onto... D to me looks hazardous- that's a hook at the bottom? If we're using that to reach up top and slip that could do serious damage to a person.

I’m assuming that’s an artifact from an AI generated image. The two pictures don’t even show the same parts. Look at how square E is in the first image and how it compares to the second.

Anyway, A looks cheap—absolutely don’t use that. There’s nothing rounded on the rack that I see, so B is the wrong style. C and E look the cleanest, and anything real (rather than AI imagined) along those lines will work. Any of them will be used as a tie down point, so make sure it’s attached well and strong enough.

 

[Turbo2Pete]

Still in emissions testing. Once there is an update, I will post in this thread.

I’m assuming that’s an artifact from an AI generated image. The two pictures don’t even show the same parts. Look at how square E is in the first image and how it compares to the second.

Anyway, A looks cheap—absolutely don’t use that. There’s nothing rounded on the rack that I see, so B is the wrong style. C and E look the cleanest, and anything real (rather than AI imagined) along those lines will work. Any of them will be used as a tie down point, so make sure it’s attached well and strong enough.

Didn't see that, im out of the country this week, sketchy internet - so I was struggling to seem them enlarged at all... got better wifi tonight so I'll take another look now.

 

[Turbo2Pete]

..and on my screen, "D" in both images looks to have a protrusion at the bottom on the first series, and a definite "coat hook" protrusion on the second series.... (shrug)

 

[OminousSkitter]

..and on my screen, "D" in both images looks to have a protrusion at the bottom on the first series, and a definite "coat hook" protrusion on the second series.... (shrug)

Oh I agree it's there. I just assume it's bad rendering and probably AI generated. Why put things in CAD for market research when you can spit out variations with AI in a fraction of the time and cost?

 

[TRUMGETA]

Personally I chose C, it had enough to grab onto... D to me looks hazardous- that's a hook at the bottom? If we're using that to reach up top and slip that could do serious damage to a person.



And a question - is this rack compatible with the Realtruck Retrax Pro T-slot mounting? Tha ks

Thanks for the feedback — C seems to be getting a lot of love so far.

The point you mentioned about the handle being something people actually grab onto (sometimes with wet hands, gloves, or while reaching for gear) is exactly why we’re looking beyond just appearance.

About the Retrax Pro XR T-slot compatibility — we’re checking more tonneau cover setups during development. I’ll add the Realtruck Retrax Pro XR to the list for our fitment review.

Appreciate the detailed input!

 

[TRUMGETA]

Can't go wrong with C or E. The others look like screen door handles.

Thanks for the input! C and E are definitely two of the designs we’ve been hearing the most positive feedback on.

It’s interesting that you mentioned the others looking more like screen door handles — that’s actually helpful because we’re trying to find the balance between something functional and something that looks like it belongs on a Tacoma build.

Thanks for voting!

 

[TRUMGETA]

I’m assuming that’s an artifact from an AI generated image. The two pictures don’t even show the same parts. Look at how square E is in the first image and how it compares to the second.

Anyway, A looks cheap—absolutely don’t use that. There’s nothing rounded on the rack that I see, so B is the wrong style. C and E look the cleanest, and anything real (rather than AI imagined) along those lines will work. Any of them will be used as a tie down point, so make sure it’s attached well and strong enough.

Good catch, and thanks for pointing that out.

These are concept visuals for comparing shapes, so some details in the render may not perfectly represent the final prototype. The purpose of this poll is mainly to understand the preferred handle shape and overall direction before we finalize the design.

You’re absolutely right that the final version needs to be a real, functional part — not just something that looks good in a picture.

Strength, mounting, and actual usability will be the priority.

Thanks for the honest feedback.

 

[TRUMGETA]

Oh I agree it's there. I just assume it's bad rendering and probably AI generated. Why put things in CAD for market research when you can spit out variations with AI in a fraction of the time and cost?

Totally understand where you’re coming from.

The images are mainly being used for early design direction feedback, not as final production drawings. Before production, we’ll move into actual prototype validation and make sure the handle shape, mounting strength, and finish all work in the real world.

The comments here are helping us narrow down what’s worth prototyping.

Thanks for taking the time to look closely.

 

[TRUMGETA]

Quick update — thanks everyone for the feedback so far.

Interesting to see C getting the strongest reaction. A lot of the comments are not just about appearance, but also about grip comfort, safety, and how the handle feels when actually using the rack.

We’re taking notes on:

• Grip size
• Rounded edges
• Tie-down usability
• T-slot/tonneau compatibility

Keep the feedback coming — this is exactly why we wanted to ask the Tacoma community before finalizing anything.

 

[TRUMGETA]

Quick Update — Thanks for the Feedback So Far!

Really appreciate everyone taking the time to vote and share your thoughts on the handle designs.

The feedback has been great so far — not just about which shape looks better, but also about grip comfort, safety, mounting ideas, and how you would actually use the rack in the real world.

If you’ve participated in the poll, send me a private message after voting and I’ll send you a TRUMGETA gift card as a small thank-you for helping us with the design direction.

Thanks again for being part of the process. Your feedback is helping us build something that’s actually useful for truck owners.

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