Securing low level loads

[Gareth]

So just got a new 2022 F150 3 weeks ago and very quickly realised that the bed of the truck has not tie downs low enough to secure a few scuba cylinders. The truck came with the spray in bed liner so its a slippery sod for metal tanks. I have the box ties and they are too high. I have never owned a truck of any kind before so am clueless on options for lower level anchor points for ratchet straps. I have realised I need to get some form of rubber liner for the tanks as well but as the dive sites are all very much rough off road locations the tanks will need to be secured properly. Advice and help much appreciated

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[Popplemer]

I have found it difficult to secure any low loads in my truck. In my previous truck I made a square frame of 2x8s with some e track plates screwed into them. I placed this frame between the wheel well and the bulkhead at the front of the bed. The frame could be lifted out if need be as I just wedged it up between the wheel wells and the bulkhead. I see no reason that wouldn't work with the frame facing toward the tailgate either. Good luck!

 

[mxwrk]

It's on my to-do list, but I have yet to tackle it. I plan on running 3 lengths of L track the length of the bed (bolted to the actual base of the bed left, center, and right) L track fits nicely in between the factory grooves.

 

[Gareth]

I have found it difficult to secure any low loads in my truck. In my previous truck I made a square frame of 2x8s with some e track plates screwed into them. I placed this frame between the wheel well and the bulkhead at the front of the bed. The frame could be lifted out if need be as I just wedged it up between the wheel wells and the bulkhead. I see no reason that wouldn't work with the frame facing toward the tailgate either. Good luck!

Thanks glad its not just me struggling with lower loads

 

[Gareth]

It's on my to-do list, but I have yet to tackle it. I plan on running 3 lengths of L track the length of the bed (bolted to the actual base of the bed left, center, and right) L track fits nicely in between the factory grooves.

Like the sound of this, presuming you would use the existing bolts in the truck bed for this? Or drill new points?

 

[mxwrk]

Like the sound of this, presuming you would use the existing bolts in the truck bed for this? Or drill new points?

Id be drilling and adding new hardware. Need to do more research but would most likely want a bolt every 6-8” or so running the length. Kind of a big job but would be worth it for my camping load out. It would be nice to run off-road at speed and know each container in the back (including co2 bottle) won’t rocket up out of the bed

 

[LN7]

So just got a new 2022 F150 3 weeks ago and very quickly realised that the bed of the truck has not tie downs low enough to secure a few scuba cylinders. The truck came with the spray in bed liner so its a slippery sod for metal tanks. I have the box ties and they are too high. I have never owned a truck of any kind before so am clueless on options for lower level anchor points for ratchet straps. I have realised I need to get some form of rubber liner for the tanks as well but as the dive sites are all very much rough off road locations the tanks will need to be secured properly. Advice and help much appreciated

Not the cheapest solution, but could be worth a look:

https://builtrightind.com/products/bedside-rack-molle-panel-system-ford-f-150-raptor-lightning

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

So just got a new 2022 F150 3 weeks ago and very quickly realised that the bed of the truck has not tie downs low enough to secure a few scuba cylinders. The truck came with the spray in bed liner so its a slippery sod for metal tanks. I have the box ties and they are too high. I have never owned a truck of any kind before so am clueless on options for lower level anchor points for ratchet straps. I have realised I need to get some form of rubber liner for the tanks as well but as the dive sites are all very much rough off road locations the tanks will need to be secured properly. Advice and help much appreciated

You don’t have downs on the bedsides? Low toward the bed floor?

 

[somecatchyphrase]

^^^ 2nd on taking a look into Built Right Industries for various bed organization options. I have their boxlink replacement bracket mounts and use them frequently. The bedside molle panels with some quick fist attachments may work for your application. If you need more space they also have a tslot rail that replaces the factor tie down hooks that runs along the bulkhead by the cab. Perhaps that would allow you to strap down the tanks upright?

 

[Gareth]

You don’t have downs on the bedsides? Low toward the bed floor?

Yeah have these and tried them a couple of times. They are located too close to the front and back of the bed for the straps to get a solid grip on the tanks

 

[Gareth]

^^^ 2nd on taking a look into Built Right Industries for various bed organization options. I have their boxlink replacement bracket mounts and use them frequently. The bedside molle panels with some quick fist attachments may work for your application. If you need more space they also have a tslot rail that replaces the factor tie down hooks that runs along the bulkhead by the cab. Perhaps that would allow you to strap down the tanks upright?

Ill have a look at this as an option as well. Due to being in the Middle East I prefer to have the tanks flat and covered with the bed cover, the sun here can be rather nasty at times.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Yeah have these and tried them a couple of times. They are located too close to the front and back of the bed for the straps to get a solid grip on the tanks

So these are too low, and the box links are too high? Sounds like you need to figure out a way of putting them in a rack or a case of some sort and tie that down.

 

[Buyer2021]

I plan on running 3 lengths of L track the length of the bed (bolted to the actual base of the bed left, center, and right)

Id be drilling and adding new hardware.

Attached just FYI for folks considering fasteners to / through the aluminum bed.

I've used aluminum rivet nuts, available in a range of thread diameters and lengths (to accommodate load-spreading backing-washers if desired), and they seem to be holding-up well.

Have Fun!

 

[Shane150]

I addressed this issue by installing a Huskey or Ford OEM bed mat over my sprayed bedliner and then I used a net to hold down bulky items. Links are attached below.

https://huskyliners.com/p/husky-lin...JR_sthf1UfPhnIZgMxlt8ZSBCr-9j2Wcigyj0dVLwMDhy

https://realtruck.com/p/core-truck-bed-cargo-net/v/ford/f150/

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