Several weeks ago, I solicited ideas for padding material to use on a custom truck rack. I did consider the ribbed radiator hose, but ended up liking 7/8 inch ID washer hose. This hose has a vinyl-ish inner layer, with rubber outer layer. It seems to have the right amount of "resistant crushability." I drilled and tapped holes for 1/4 x 20 SS machine screws to mount the hose.

One of the design goals was to make the rack system easily stowable, so that I can resume parking in my garage, without having to remove or disassemble the racks.