A lot of newer trucks come with factory-installed track systems built into the bed rails. If you’ve got one, you’ve already got a built-in mounting solution that makes setting up a WheelWally even easier.
The two most common systems are the Toyota Deck Rail (found on many Tacoma and Tundra models) and the Nissan Utili-Track (found on many Frontier and Titan models). They work a little differently from each other, but the basic idea is the same: a channel in the bed rail that accepts sliding hardware, giving you adjustable mounting points without drilling holes.
If your truck has one of these systems, the WheelWally can hook right into it. In many cases, you can get the rail-side hardware installed without drilling a single hole in your rails.
Let’s cover how it works.
What Are Factory Track Systems?
Factory track systems are channels built into the top of the bed side rails. They’re designed as utility features so you can slide in compatible tie-down cleats, hooks, and accessories at any position along the rail. This gives you flexible, adjustable anchor points for securing cargo without permanent modifications.
On Toyota trucks, the system is called the Deck Rail. It’s a channel that runs along the top of each side rail with a slotted opening for sliding in compatible hardware.
On Nissan trucks, the system is called the Utili-Track. It’s a C-shaped channel built into the bed walls with a slotted opening that works the same way.
Both systems are covered with rubber or plastic strips that snap into the slot to keep out dirt and debris when the tracks aren’t in use. You just pull out the strip where you need to mount something, slide your hardware in, and the rest of the track stays sealed.
These systems have been available across multiple model years and trim levels for both brands. If you’re not sure whether your truck has one, look at the inside of the bed walls near the top of the rail. You’ll see the channel slots running lengthwise if the system is there.
How the WheelWally Uses Track Systems
The WheelWally can be adapted for factory track systems using special track washers. Instead of drilling holes in the rail to mount the hardware, you slide the track washers into the existing channels. They lock into position and give you a solid mounting point without any permanent modification to the rails.
Here’s the one key detail that matters: the washer orientation is different depending on the track system.
For Toyota Deck Rails, the track washers lay flat (horizontally) in the channel.
For Nissan Utili-Track, the track washers sit vertical in the channel.
This is simply because the two track systems have different cross-section shapes. The washers are designed to match the specific channel they go into. You can’t really install them wrong because a washer in the wrong orientation won’t seat properly. It’s pretty obvious when it’s right.
Once the washers are in position, the mounting hardware attaches to them and gets tightened down. The result is a rigid, secure connection that holds just as well as a drilled installation.
For the full step-by-step installation process, including diagrams and details, visit our Installation page. The installation guide covers both track-based and standard drilled setups.
What About the Bed Floor?
The track system handles the rail-side mounting. But the WheelWally also has hardware that anchors to the bed floor.
In a standard installation, this means drilling a few small quarter-inch holes in the bed floor. For most truck owners, this is no big deal. The bed floor is a utility surface, the holes are small, and they’re completely covered by the hardware once installed.
Some trucks have additional track channels in the bed floor itself. If your truck has floor tracks and they happen to line up with the WheelWally’s mounting points, you may be able to skip drilling entirely and do a fully track-based, drill-free installation from top to bottom. This depends on your specific truck, so it’s worth checking before you start.
Either way, the installation details are covered on our Installation page.
The Flexibility Advantage
One of the best things about a track-based installation is that you can reposition the WheelWally along the rail without drilling new holes. If you want to shift the hardware to accommodate a different bike, make room for cargo, or adjust for a new bed extender setup, you just loosen the hardware, slide it along the track to the new position, and retighten.
With a standard drilled installation, repositioning means drilling new holes and dealing with the old ones. The track system gives you built-in flexibility that’s hard to beat.
This is especially handy if you own multiple bikes of different sizes or if your cargo needs change from trip to trip.
Clean Removal and Resale Value
Track-based installations leave your bed rails completely unmodified. When you remove the WheelWally, you slide the track washers out of the channels, snap the rubber strips back in, and the rails look factory-clean. There’s no evidence a rack was ever there.
The bed floor holes (if you drilled them) are the only permanent modification, and they’re small enough that they’re easily covered with a bolt and washer or a dab of sealant if you want to restore the floor.
For truck owners who care about keeping their vehicle in top condition, this is a real benefit. Trucks with factory track systems tend to be popular models that hold their value well. A clean, unmodified bed helps maintain that resale value.
A Few Practical Tips
Clean the channels before installing. If your truck has been used hard, the track channels may have collected dirt, sand, or debris over the years. A stiff brush, compressed air, or a garden hose will clean them out. Dirty channels can prevent the washers from sliding smoothly or seating properly.
Save the rubber strip pieces. When you pull out sections of the rubber strip for your mounting points, save them. If you ever remove the WheelWally, you can snap them back in and the channels look factory-fresh. Some riders cut the rubber strip precisely at the mounting points so the remaining sections stay neatly in place on either side of the hardware.
Check where the track starts and ends. On some trucks, the track channels don’t run the full length of the rail. Make sure your desired mounting position falls within the track’s range. If a mounting point falls outside the track, you’ll need to drill at that specific spot using the standard method.
Measure your bike and your bed. This applies to all truck owners, but especially if you’ve got a shorter bed on a crew cab model. Measure your bike, measure your bed, and if the bike is longer than the bed, plan for a bed extender. The WheelWally always mounts to the front rail and sits as far forward as possible, so you get maximum usable length toward the tailgate.
Other Trucks and Standard Installation
Toyota and Nissan are the most common factory track systems, but they’re not the only trucks you can mount a WheelWally in. Any truck can use the standard drilled installation method, which works on all makes and models regardless of whether they have a track system.
If your truck doesn’t have factory tracks, the standard installation involves drilling a few quarter-inch holes in the rails and bed floor. It’s a straightforward process and creates an equally solid mount. The full details are on our Installation page.
And if you’re not sure which installation method is right for your truck, the Installation page covers both approaches with diagrams and instructions.
The Bottom Line
If your truck has a factory track system like the Toyota Deck Rail or Nissan Utili-Track, you’ve got a head start on setting up your WheelWally. The track washers slide into the existing channels, give you a rock-solid mount, and leave your rails completely clean when removed.
The orientation is simple: flat for Toyota, vertical for Nissan. The installation is straightforward. And the flexibility to reposition along the rail is a bonus you’ll appreciate over time.
Head over to our Store to grab your WheelWally with the appropriate track hardware, and visit our Installation page for the complete setup walkthrough. If you’re working with a shorter bed, our short bed truck guide has tips on bed extenders and fitment. And to see pictures of both Toyota and Nissan setups, check out the images on our homepage.
Your truck came with a built-in mounting system. Let’s put it to work.