Newbie Question - Tie Downs

This is my first truck and I haven't carried much in it yet, but the things I have all required the tailgate to be in down position. Using the stock black bed floor clamps I'm able to secure things from jumping up and down and to some degree moving left to right. I use the silver clamps on the bed side walls to try and lash the items from flying out the back.

What is the proper way to secure things in the open trunk? Here are three examples I might typically run into. For groceries I'm going to get the OEM bed diver.

1. Kayak using a bed extender

2. Ladder

3. Long box such as pictured below. It was not securable to my liking from maybe sliding out the back if I had to slam on the brakes.

 

First thing I would say is get yourself a good set of ratchet straps. They are much much better than the straps you have shown. Also, for the specific load you have shown, I would tie one up to the drivers side and one up to the passenger side. Might be better to have the tailgate up and wrap the straps around the box.

Not sure how it's best to tie a kayak down yet. I haven't taken mine out yet as everything is still frozen over here. First thought is (if it's 10' or less), It might fit with the tailgate up and going diagonal across the bed. strap front handle to the bed cleat in the front and one strap around the body of the kayak to the rear bed d-ring. If the kayak is too long, you probably have to tie it to one side or the other like the box idea I mentioned above.

Ladders are easy. You can either strap them to one side of the bed like I mentioned for the boxes or have the tailgate up and strap like you have the boxes in the photo.

Biggest thing is just check your load once it's tied down. Give it a shove in all directions. If it doesn't move, you're doing ok. If it does move, either tighten the straps or rethink how you tie them down.

 

+1

Also, a rubber bedmat (or even a high-friction rug) will help keep with large, heavy boxes and other large surface-area items from sliding, especially when they are racheted down firmly.

 

I bought a bakflip just like you did on Saturday. I have the bedmat and the bed extender. All I did was put the 2 boxes in the back with the bed extender on the tailgate. I drove home on the freeway and nothing had moved because of the bedmat.

 

I use ratchet straps for some things, and rope for others. Get a couple of 20' ropes and learn how to tie up loads and you will find them superior in many/certain situations. Other things are made for ratchet straps (always use at least one redundant strap). Four good ratchet straps are a nice number to own.

 

Nothings going to slide out the back from slamming on your brakes. Now if you floor it from a dead stop this may happen.

A good set of ratchet straps, a bed mat and a bed extender will take care of most of this. I use my bed extender all the time and it comes in handy flipped into the truck bed for stowing things and not having to crawl to the back of the bed to get them. The bed mat in my opinion is a must as it keeps everything from sliding all over the place in your bed.

 

The difference with the bedmat is night and day. I helped my brother move some stuff without the bedmat and stuff would slide around that plastic box. With the mat no sliding at all. It also keeps the box looking new too.