Bed Tie Downs

[Timd32]

In bed tie downs, besides the factory ones.

What are folks using?

I have a Back Rack in the front bed pockets.

I'm thinking needs to be below the bed rail anyway.

 

[AH64ID]

Subscribing... I need to add a couple tie downs in the front of the bed to hold the kids motorcycle sideways in front of the 5th wheel.

 

[JR]

I have this exact system

http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/p...g-bed-chevy-dodge-ford/Truck-Bed-Rail-Systems

They are not below the rail - but are flush so may not be what you are looking for. I originally had on my 98 for several years and liked it so much I removed before selling.

If you look around Macs website they also do offer floor mounted tie down points, but you'd have to be willing to drill holes in the floor. Everything they have is good quality. I also use them for all my ratchet straps and recovery strap needs.

 

[Timd32]

I'm going to try out the 6' MAC rail system.

If anything they make too many options as it gets pretty dizzy on their site.

But neat company.

 

[BarryG]

Looks interesting might have to get a set myself. Not exactly cheap but .... might be worth it. Sometimes I load my ATV in the truck bed if going somewhere my trailer isn't going to make it and it is a can am outlander max model so an inline two seater and with my toolbox in there I have to set the rear tires on the tailgate far enough to hold it down so the gate doesn't bounce up and down on bumps. And as such I have to tie down the rear to the bottom front tie downs and the front to the rear bottom tie downs which while it works fine is a real pita (of course a flatbed would make it easy peasy but that is a couple dollars more than these tie downs). Not to mention the versatility for other load types. I do have retractable bull rings in the the stake pockets but they don't work well at all for the ATV but so far they have worked for about every other load though sometimes I wish I had more places to attach straps.

While you mentioned the stake pockets may be too high for your use I have used the retractable bull rings in my 01 and now the 17 and they are handy for sure. They even have some that fit in the interior bed lower down in the stake packets in the oval holes called the corner bullet.
https://www.bullringusa.com/product...MIgOye9aa76gIVTNbACh0d3g47EAAYASAAEgI8RfD_BwE

 

[JR]

Tim if I can offer a bit of advice installing these. Assuming your truck has the plastic caps on the bed rails do yourself a favor and pop one off, or at least pull a corner and have a peek before laying these tie downs out. I initially laid out the tie down rail to sit flush with the bed rail - NO GOOD!
The vertical edges of the plastic caps are longer than the actual steel bed lip these tie downs mount to. I had never had a plastic cap off prior to installing these and consequently drilled too high to be able to get a nut on the back side of the countersunk bolts. It sounds like a rookie mistake - and perhaps it was - but once you pop one off for a look you will see what I mean. I messed up the first hole and had to ream it out, even after the fact I had to use a standard SS 1/4" nut over the preferred flanged nuts on 1 or two holes. On The second side I lowered the tie down rail 1/8" and everything lined up well. And yes it's that close...too high and your into the top of the bed rail, too low and there won't be any meat between the bottom of the hole and the bottom of the bed rail.

 

[JR]

These also work great for across the bulk head of the bed. Propane tanks, oxy/acetylene, etc.
My 98 was a long bed so I had to cut a hair less than 2 ft off each side to fit my 14. I added those pieces in the corners of the bed with a small gap in the center. Would probably look better with one full length across, but I'm kinda cheap

 

[Timd32]

Yeah I was thinking I would cut them down as the shorter parts get pricey per foot. And spread them out.

Thanks for the heads up on the drilling, will save me some hassle.

I should have them next week.

 

[Timd32]

I noticed the Bull Ring ones on the net, I saw they make an in bed option for those as well.

They look like a nice set up.

 

[JR]

Definitely some "in bed" options if you don't mind drilling holes in the floor...yes you do have to drill holes for the bed rail kit but it's much higher up and not susceptible to rot like in the floor. Probably a rust belt thing


But if looking for an in bed option I think I remember seeing these same kits as floor tracking with some different mounting hardware. There's also individual pieces like this I used to mount a 25 gallon Aux fuel tank under my tool box in my 98.

Black piece sits nearly flush in the bed, round SS piece on the bottom of the bed with nuts welded on. Bolt holes are counter sunk and top piece has no sharp corners for stuff to catch on. Very low profile (but not flush).
Then the same rings used on the bed rails snap in when needing a floor mounted tie down point. Pretty slick set up.

Notice the non SS rusted hardware that had to be drilled out

 

[Timd32]

Looking at the rail or just under.

I've had good luck with Galva Brite on hardware that is mounted in pretty direct line with stuff like that.

Bull Ring brand has a lot of stake pocket ones, the "inner" bed is more of a single hole mount should say under rail.

Reads like they are having import issues getting product.

The stake pocket ones require cutting and some sort of router bit, yeah that will not work being in NJ, same on those rusted bolts really sucks how bad thing degrade.

This is their marketing picture of the inner bed.

 

[BarryG]

The routing is not metal and isn’t really necessary on the bull rings. If you notice on the plastic bed rail cap you only have a couple that are cutout for the stake pockets. The other ones are there for some unknown reason ram didn’t feel it necessary to cut out the plastic bed rail for all the pockets. I think on my 2017 long bed only2of the six pockets were cutout. They are even marked on the plastic cover so who knows why. I just cut mine out with a dremel and then put the bull rings in.

 

[Timd32]

Thanks, yeah I had no idea what they wanted me to cut. I have never had the plastic cap off.

Guess I will download the instruction sheet.

They were reasonably priced even with the small tools, but yeah I have a dremel and that can be done pretty easily. They even explain not to over buy and only get one set of tools then give you the other part numbers to save some money.