Wyoming B.S. Thread

Well saw today that my bed stiffeners didn't help and by bed has split again where I'd welded it back together.

 

These beds suck lol

 

Yeah one of the weak points. Granted getting on 30 years old and high miles. So suppose it's expected

 

Yeah they're Uber thin and they're basically the support for the frame half the time since that's a noodle too

 

Did they tear through where you bolted them or did they allow the metal to keep deforming and fatiguing? Are you talking in the front of the bed at the corners? The weld shouldn't break.

 

back of the bed. Where the curve from the tail gate stops. Not the same issue you had at the front seams.

Bead stiffeners are fine. Its the cracks that were there before the patch job. Which as since failed. Brackets are directly bolted to the tears.

 

Gotcha. I'm surprised you're still having issues. I have 100lb spare hanging from the sheet metal and it hasn't fallen off yet which I'm surprised because when the 1ft whoops became 3 footers at speed, I thought I was losing the tent after seeing the dogs fly.

I remember asking this but I'm assuming you plated the backside of the bed stiffeners both bottom and sides?

 

no i didn't just used large washers. Could do that. Not sure it'll matter not in this specific context. But did think about it.

 

I wonder if that is a contributing factor. I thought my solution was overkill with how beefy the brackets and playing were but you're making me feel like it was what is really needed.

 

No I don't think so. Again, this isn't really in that area. The bed stiffeners don't really show signs or wear. But i'll look closer later.

I think a bigger factor is the bed bars and it not being a full bed rack it allows the tent to basically twist the bed rails. I bought steel a while ago to make the bed bars into a bed rack but had to take the welder back before I got to it. That and the bed bars are a bit narrower than the bed. I have washers as spacers but I don't think ti helped much.

 

I think you also have a situation where the seam of the original crack is severely weaker than the sheet metal was when it wasn't cracked. Even welded, it's not "like new" by any stretch. Putting the stiffeners in helps a bit, but would be way better if you'd caught it before the entire thing had split apart.

It's a bit similar to how I have the crack in the side of my bed side, and even after drilling the end and welding, it just cracks again in exactly the same place. For me, so far, it's not structural, so I've just ignored it. For you, I bet the only "solution" is to replace the bed and get the stiffeners on there immediately.

 

Probably true.

But that's not gonna happen haha

Mine hand cracked all the way from the inside over the top and to the outside. So wasn't looking good. Hasen't gotten that far yet current. Which I guess is good.

 

I'm surprised more of you guys aren't having problems with the bed mounts.

 

I know I was on frank. Had punched through at least one. And bent another

 

If you don't ever look at them, you don't have a problem, hahaha.

Here's my most recent crack. Good reason to move the battery somewhere else, I suppose. Of course, I won't be doing that.



Instead, I made a reinforcement to go under the core support. and use the three holes there for more "bite."

 

Noticed mine was cracking too there recently.

 

Suprised more aren't having this problem also. Any cracks down by the body mounts, if you day to look?

 

Just went to look for the first time. So far, I seem to be OK.

Now stop asking questions that I don't know if I want to find the answer to, hahahaha.

 

have you checked your bed mounts too ever?

 

Let me internet that for you