I havent spent any time on it yet, but after a quick look, I realize why they use those standoffs to connect the rail to the bed. Due to the contour of the bed, that was the only way to get them extended the full length.
My plan is to not extend them full length and snug them up to the bed. Since there are two holes for the mount bracket they use, I was planning to run two rails on each side and connect them together with a bracket for stability. That way I can attach something like a small toolbox without having it flex since I would be able to have it secured with two top and bottom bolts.
...one of these days