Cheap alternative to factory tie downs for the rail...

These are 1/2" eye bolts, with square nuts. I couldn't find the old flat nuts, which had a larger dimension and would have fit even snugger. Nevertheless, these lock in tightly enough that the rails would have to fail first. In fact, I believe the 110 lb rating on the factory hold-downs is really the rating of the rails to MTTF. The bolts have to be cut off to fit...

 

Maybe a big flat washer also to distribute the pull from ratchets etc.

Good to know...

 

I have 3 brand new factory anchors if someone wants them pm me. We can work out a price

But this is a great alternative to the factory mounts. I've seen a few different ways on here that are all nifty

 

It looks like that could twist right out of there.

 

Sure they could, if they're overloaded. Of course the OEM is only rated at 110 lb per, which, as I said, I think is really rail failure MTTF, since the plastic OEMs are far from impressive. Your system is impressive, but it still comes back to the strength of the rail...

 

OK, new, improved version, with washer added. Thanks to Wgreenlee. The idea had occurred to me, but you inspired me to pursue it. 7/16" washers have to be slightly enlarged to accept a 1/2" eye bolt shaft. I used a tapered reamer chucked in my drill press, but there are other ways to do it...

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