Better bed tie down points?

[PistolPeteH]

Hi everyone. First time poster!

I just picked up a 2500 tradesman this weekend. First load of lumber and I found myself very disappointed in the bed tie down points. Just cranking down a ratchet strap and you can literally see the bed sides pulling in.

My old truck had floor mounted d rings in the rear corners which were great for strapping down wide, low lumber loads. Are there any options for our trucks to add floor tie downs or to reinforce the bedside anchors so they are more solid?

Thanks!

 

[Boxerrider]

Agreed, and they are higher than I would like too.
I have considered adding E-Track but haven't yet. It suspect it would need steel added on the back side to be a great improvement.

 

[werard]

Hi everyone. First time poster!

I just picked up a 2500 tradesman this weekend. First load of lumber and I found myself very disappointed in the bed tie down points. Just cranking down a ratchet strap and you can literally see the bed sides pulling in.

My old truck had floor mounted d rings in the rear corners which were great for strapping down wide, low lumber loads. Are there any options for our trucks to add floor tie downs or to reinforce the bedside anchors so they are more solid?

Thanks!

8ft bed?

 

[PistolPeteH]

8ft bed?

6-1/2ft. The only Tie downs I have are the bed side loops at each corner, and cleats above those.

 

[Boxerrider]

Mine is 8'. I have a topper on it, so I'm not hauling tall material or equipment. I use tie-down anchors when I'm hauling lumber longer than 8' with the tailgate down, or when I just want to keep something from rolling around. I also haul 4x8 sheet goods, and don't want anchors that interfere with sliding that stuff in and out either. While I said E-track, angled L-track is probably what I'll end up using. It's narrower than E-track and still plenty strong enough for my needs.
https://www.uscargocontrol.com/products/96-airline-style-angled-track-aluminum
Etrailer has a lot of options available.
https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Tie_Down_Anchors.aspx

Enjoy!

 

[HarryN]

Does your truck by chance have the mounting points for a 5th wheel to attach ?

I guess if i wanted really strong tie points, I would attach to the frame. Perhaps under the bed there are some places to attach some heat treated eye bolts.

 

[PistolPeteH]

I do have 5th wheel prep.

I like that L track. Obviously I’m a little hesitant to drill into a 5 day old truck but I think I’ll stick my head under there and see if there’s some decent spots to bolt into

 

[Boxerrider]

Mine has the bed prep too, and I have considered buying pucks and using those as anchor points. The major drawback is their position - my typical usage is better met by anchors closer to the front and back corners. Minor drawbacks are the expense and having to remove them when I haul something flat. Simplicity and strength are definite advantages.

 

[HarryN]

I do have 5th wheel prep.

I like that L track. Obviously I’m a little hesitant to drill into a 5 day old truck but I think I’ll stick my head under there and see if there’s some decent spots to bolt into

I am kind of an 8020 fan, the 15 series size might be useful.

 

[JustMeAndMy3500]

Grab yourself some heavy duty carbineers or the "add a link" pieces that loop through and have the twist "nut" in the middle. Get two lengths of chain that are long enough to go from one bed corner tie down, either over the wheel well or along it, bedside (front one to the rear one, same side) do this twice. Once secure you now have pretty much limitless anchor point(s) Your tie down strap hook ends can use any link to secure (i use additional carbineers through the link(s) I'm using so the hooks are able to be moved when needed. Works great with rope. You're not mooring the Queen Mary but the option of using each link makes it nice. Directly across from one another, front to back, crissed crossed, etc.

Not me, but a quick search and I found this to get my point out there