Bed Strength

[ABGordon]

I bought my 1993 W250 about 2 months ago, and had it shipped cross-country from AZ to VA. It was overpriced, and it needs some mechanical attention. But it doesn't have any rust, and, luckily, it has never been hit.



I've owned about 30 cars. This is my first Dodge. Also, its my first pickup truck. And, it's my first DIESEL.



I had it LINE-X'd, and the bed was looking pretty good.



I used the truck last weekend to move some stuff, including some metal stuff, and some firewood, and I was surprised to see the bed was dented in a few places after the day was done. The bed is still looking PRETTY GOOD.



I bought this truck as a component of my emergency kit. You know, the one you will need to use once the D-F terrorists figure out how to use our ill conceived technology to remind us that not all technological problems need to be addressed, or miniaturized.



I have a pretty well equipped emergency kit. I just didn't relaize the truck bed would be so dainty. I know this is not attributable to the CUMMINS. So, is it the DODGE, or do ALL pickup trucks have this problem (daintiness).



By the way, I really enjoy this site.

 

[Philip]

Mostly all P/U's have this problem. If you put a heavy load in a small area it will dent the bed or bend the lower frame work and have a dished bed then. Or throwing a heavy object in will dent one most of the times. Just about any truck built after 1973 has this problem. That was the year all MFG's went light gage on the bed metal.



Thats also why you see more people going to flatbeds. They are built from heavyer metal all the way from the frame up.

 

[NDearyan]

I think the metal is poorer and or thinner than Ford's beds.



I think that someone did a planned obsolessence thingy on them. If the motor can go 500k miles, we gotta give the users a reason to buy a newer truck. So, the cab liner starts falling, and the bed is flimsy, if you use it.



Custom flatbed is the best.



Nate

 

[Lock93]

I see you had a spray in liner installed, but to help with the denting issue, I installed a drop in liner. They do absorb some of the impact from shifting loads, etc, giving your bed a better chance of staying relatively dent free.



I had line x in my previous truck and used it regularly to haul dirt, rock, etc. I had to be careful not to cut the liner with a shovel. With a plastic liner, I don't worry about being careful. It can get scratched up, and when its butt ugly, I'll get a new one.



Later (when I get some $ ahead), I want to have the bed sanded and sprayed with a quality liner to prevent rust, but I'll still use the drop in liner.

 

[ABGordon]

Thanks, hadn't thought about using a drop in.

 

[dpuckett]

If you live in a rust proned area (humidity, not just winter salt), the drop-in will rub through your paint, and mar up your bed rails. They also have a tendency to fly up out of your bed if not securely bolted down, BTDT, too. I threw a drop-in in a dumpster before leaving Colo- I couldnt GIVE it away, tried for 3mo.



Daniel

 

[Lock93]

DPuckett,

he already has a spray in. I just suggested adding the drop in to alleviate the "dent" problem when carrying heavy cargo. After using both, I'd rather have a drop in (under rail) liner than spray in, but in a perfect world, I'd have BOTH. Then no issues with the paint rubbing. That's my goal utimately.

BTW, when you're ready to dispose, don't bother giving them away. You're right -- no one will want a used one. But a skill saw cuts 'em up nice so you can haul to a dump or transfer station w/o any probs. Just replaced mine, so I have first hand experience.