$50 Bed Bars (Ghetto/Hillbilly)

The title says it all the pics will show how it's done. Superstrut from Home Depot $25 cut in half. Bolt to bed using existing tie down cleats and bolt hooks from Tractor Supply 8x $1.99. I had to ream out cleats a hair to accommodate angle of hooks.

 

Why don't you put something like a piece of rubber under the strut so it doesn't scratch the bed rail?

 

Because doing so would cost 3 more dollars.

 

I guess if you are trying to build something as cheaply as possible. $3 dollars could be a big deal.

 

I may if I keep this mess on my truck. This was an improvised set up I threw together to pick up a tent. The bed bars I had planned on using were not up to the task. I may add some rubber and weld an end piece and paint it, or I might just buy real bars. It was getting cold outside so it will have to wait until tommorow.

 

I don't think of it as cheap, more like cost effective. But my inner mall crawler is weeping tears of sorrow at the sight.

 

*hillbilly

 

Well it's still $9 shy of $50 so you could get some fancy rubber and still be under budget.

 

It's one of those sophisticated hillbillys...lol

 

I’d maybe use a cheap L bracket with T nut to connect to the bed rails instead of the tie downs, but seems like a decent inexpensive creation

 

ehhhh.... is it though?


As long as it works for your purposes and you’re happy with it.

 

Ha, I just learned a phrase for this that Australians use for trashy people that come into money...Cashed-up Bogans. Hill Billies. I like it.

 

I

That is probably what I will do if I decide it's a project worth continuing.

 

1 5/8" Strut Channel Caps $1.50 each McMaster.com

 

So with all the fabricators on here why doesn't some one make a nice looking bracket for this? A U bolt shaped for the Superstrut profile and instead of using the bolt holes in the cleat use a metal strap on the under side of cleat and have U bolt between the cleat flange and rail. Sell them in a set of 4 for under 30 bucks and throw in the strut caps.

You can send me royalties, or just a free set. You are welcome.

 

Just order some from Amazon, $8.68 for four, still under $50