New Truck & bed tie-down hooks

[skichline]

My New Truck arrived Friday Oo. but I couldn't pick it up till around 6:00 PM. Sat we had to see our houseguests off and then I installed the bed extender. Didn't really get to drive it much.



First off. I love this truck. The brakes are super, the fit and finish is great. I have almost no complaints at all and only real one seems very minor. Took a short highway trip today (100 miles) for a dirt bike ride. I had real trouble keeping it under 70. It seemed to like cruising at 75 -80.



Now for the complaint, I loaded the Dirt Bike this morning to head out for a ride and that when I had my first complaint. The tie-downs I normally used have both normal hooks and carabineers as back up to ensure the hooks don't come loose. Well the bed tie down hooks don't allow enough room for this. In fact they barely allow a standard tie-down strap to go though the center of the hook. I like the design they just don't have enough clearance. Has anyone modified his or hers to allow for this? I was thinking maybe just longer bolts and some spacers or washers to bring them out a bit.



Thanks!

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The hold downs are a tough plastic. You could make up spacers and use longer bolts with the proper head type, or you could make up metal hold downs to attach into the stock locations. Another approach would be to make up 2x3 wood stakes for the stake pockets and attach to them.

 

[skichline]

Thanks!!

Thanks Joe. I think I'll just go w/ longer bolts and spacers for now. I only need maybe 1/8 - 1/4 inch. I will eventually install a specialized tiedown bar on the front bed rail speciaifally for the bikes(Bed Buddy). Once that is in this probelm goes away. The OEM tie-downs seem to be just like boat tie-downs. If it hasn't been done already I think there would be a market for some heavy duty billet or stainless ones. I know I would buy them.



Thanks Again!