2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Cracks in Bed bottom at front

[WAHarrison]

I removed the rubber mat in the bed to wash it out, and found rather large cracks in the bottom of the bed near the front tie-down on both sides. Is this a normal thing on a 94 with 128K. I searched about 600 threads and could not find any thing specific to cracks in the front.



The truck is used to tow a camper on the hitch, carry a Rokon in the bed. I use two ratchet straps to hold the Rokon, but it only weighs a little over 200 lbs, so you do not have to tighten them very much.

 

[paguilera]

You bet cracks!

My 95 2500 and my 02 3500 both developed cracks in the front of the bed, (within 20k of being new). as well as popping the welds on the bed cross-members (tin!). . I have always carried a heavy camper. Dodge, of course, insisted that they were unaware of such a problem. However, they paid for the repairs on both trucks. The first repair (on the 95) was to OEM spec and failedThe second repair involved removing the bed, repairing the damage, then welding new crossmembers to the frame to support the front of the bed. The bed is ok since. I would also suggest frame-mount tiedowns to relieve any strain on the bed itself.