Holes in truck bed rails

[greatmizzou]

Could someone take a pic of the hole in their top rail and post it? An image that shows it so you can see inside it.  Either I never noticed it before or the installer at the dealer left a cap that plugs it when I had my bedliner installed. 
 

 

[Thankful]

The holes are there.  But you can buy these caps to cover / fill them. https://www.amazon.com/ES-ENGINEERED-SCHILDMEIER-Pocket-Silverado/dp/B07KVKN9PZ/ref=pd_sbs_263_1/134-3934545-0413839?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07KVKN9PZ&pd_rd_r=beb637b4-46d2-461c-8efe-d84eb19b9a8d&pd_rd_w=4Vr8E&pd_rd_wg=NGSVt&pf_rd_p=12b8d3e2-e203-4b23-a8bc-68a7d2806477&pf_rd_r=70MMKXB09XFFPQZW6PBX&psc=1&refRID=70MMKXB09XFFPQZW6PBX

 

[greatmizzou]

Why are these exposed in the first place?  Thanks!

 

[Thomcat]

2 minutes ago, greatmizzou said:

Why are these exposed in the first place?  Thanks!

 

Nothing new, used also in the K2s.......can be used for stakes to secure cargo......but they are shaped that way on purpose, to be used as convenient handholds in conjunction with the foot wells in the bumper to help boost up and into the bed.......not much good if you have to look for a screwdriver to pry out caps every time you want to climb into the bed.

[greatmizzou]

Not sure how else I could have posted that without it asking for pics of peoples holes.  Lol

I looked in it yesterday and it looked like untreated sheet metal.  Thought for sure there would have to be a plug or moisture barrier somewhere.

[Donstar]

These holes/pockets have been around as long as pickups.  As mentioned before, these rear ones double as a hand hold. for getting in and out of the back of the truck.  Your truck has two more of these on each side but they are covered.  They are useful for adding wooden sides to a accommodate large bulky loads. 

[greatmizzou]

Thanks for the info! Never fails to get humbled by being oblivious to an obvious feature.     
 

I ordered some of those plugs to keep leaves and other tree gunk from getting stuck inside.  

[unit]

I think the bumper steps on the newer GM Pickups are one of the best features ever on a pickup.  The sidesteps are brilliant - they turned a fleetside truck into a stepside.  I can't say enough good about both features.  I have a 2019 Ford Raptor with the tailgate step and it's a nice feature but does take a few extra steps to setup for use and then has to be stored away.  The GM steps are ready for use instantly and are more practical.  If the hand holds in the bedside are blocked then they aren't very useful, but I get it if you routinely park under trees.  In my case, I'd like to open up the hand holds in the front of the bed but I'm not sure how that's best accomplished.  On a Ford, you can drill a hole in the center of the stake pocket trim and use a router with a flush trim bit to open the hole.  It makes a clean opening without any rough edges and looks factory.  I haven't seen any posts yet on the best way to open one of the GM forward pockets.  Post up if you know how that's best done.

[Thomcat]

Cut out the front pockets to install the sports bar and feed the CMHSL power leads into the pocket hole of my '16 Silverado.........& the same way I cut out the hitch ball in the cover the cover on the '06 Colorado bumper cover. The edges are scored and the plastic underneath the score mark is thinner. All it takes is a sharp blade of triangular blade utility knife and a little pressure to cut out the plastic neatly at the score line.

 

Amazon even sells a plastic handle that fits into the rear pocket to get extra leverage to boost yourself into the bed. And the bumper foot wells are cut much wider and deeper on the T1s than the K2s............provides larger space to accommodate a booted foot  and mounting of optional side radar modules.

[unit]

Simple enough.  Thank you!