Tie Downs

So I want to add some tiedowns to my bed. Keyword here is down. The stock rails don’t hold stuff down well unless the item is tall. So I was looking at the VersaTie system. I figured I would add strips along the sides of the bed where the bed wall meets the bed floor and where the wheel well meets the bed floor. But while looking at those options I thought I should also replace the stock bed rails also, so the same hardware works everywhere. And probably even use them on my Prinsu rack.

The pieces seem reasonable priced and are rated stronger than the stock ones.

Is this a bad idea?

http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/p...m-track-contoured-edge-series1/VersaTie-Track

 

I wouldnt mount them to the walls, I would mount 2 of them running the length of the bed on each side.

 

I would just be careful about installing there because of the composite bed

 

Mounting to the bed floor will interfere with the mat which is why I thought the base of the wall would be a better choice.

 

Careful I assume doesn’t mean no. I would use several screws and I believe it would be stronger than the wall mounted stock hoop. I’m not trying to hold down a 2000lb bike but just trying to keep camping stuff more secure when I start driving more spirited on the desert roads.

 

The wall is pretty thin compared to the bottom, so I wouldnt mount too much to the walls unless your going to use backing plates.

 

mounting to the side like that though you run the risk of cracking the bed maybe not during the install but when you have something tied down, the road vibration and compromising the bed from the install could lead to cracks. I would take as many precautions as possible if you do decide to install there. Things I would do if I were installing is look to see about having a spacer about as thick as the bed and then bolt through that with a larger backing plate than what a washer would do. I wouldn't do more screws (I hope you mean bolts) I would do maybe 4 larger bolts spaced out.

 

This is all Toyota did for the front one (not that that makes it correct).

 

Just cut the mat. That is what I did for D rings. Could be happier.

 

The mat is an absolute necessity with these plastic beds. I was first looking at D rings but didn’t think about cutting the mat. I’ll have to take another look. Thanks.

 

Have you thought about the oem cargo divider? It slides back and forth along the rails and keeps your things from rolling.

 

This is the answer. Cut the mat. You're talking a 2" x 2" square.

 

The divider won’t control the Z direction.

I like to drive fast in the desert. I need to hold things firmly to the bed. I’m even working on a solution to prevent beer bottles from getting broken in the ice chest. I should slow down but where’s the fun in that.

 

They make alcoholic vessels out of aluminum as well.

 

Bungy to the divider. Could save from drilling into the bed.

 

You're welcome!

 

Why kind of uncivilized alcoholic are you? ;-)

Unfortunately some of my buddies won’t budge on this. So I think the best solution so far is some cheap bottle cozies and I’ll just cover all the bottles.

 

You can try what I did and use a flat bar behind the bed to avoid point loads.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/anchors-at-the-front-of-the-bed.663148/#post-23225386

 

Cut the mat, add D-rings. Someone recommended using a hole saw to cut the mat in another thread.