Securing low level loads

[Calson]

My previous truck had the factory bed liner and it was a pain. I was glad my F-150 had the spray in lining for the bed.

I have welded attachment points that are low on the sides of the bed. Your truck's may be hidden by the liner and cutting out opening around them is a quick fix. the picture shows turnbuckles connecting the metal chest with these welded eyes on the side of the bed. Go to a dealer lot and look at the trucks without a liner and you can measure the loction of these tabs.

Not a prefect solution but I made a tank cradle using 2x4's attached to a piece of marine plywood to old my tanks. With the weight of the tanks the cradle which sat on a rubber bed mat was not inclined to slide around. The cradle also protected the valves on the tanks which is the primary worry when transporting them. I also had the valves facing forward to if one broke loose the tank was more likely to take out the tailgate and not go into the cab.

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[roadPilot]

Trident UVA Flex Foam Collapsible Dive Cylinder Rack

https://a.co/d/dFEKL5z

Or just buy some pool noodles and nylon rope and make your own.

 

[Calson]

Wioth a solid cradle the tanks are more secure in the back of a truck bed. Lots of "racks" that are meant for car trunks like the one from Trident.

I saw a large hole in a cinderblock wall at a local dive shop that was hit by a scuba tank when it was dropped and the valve broke off. The tanks are filled to 2800 psi or more and become a deadly rocket if the valve is damaged.

The cradle I made was used in two different trucks as well as a coupe and a SUV so a one time investment.

 

[Gareth]

Thanks all for your input few ideas to put in to play over the Crimbo holidays as Ill have time for such things. Thanks

 

[Gareth]

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.

Its more the location in regards to the front and back of the truck bed. The height of them are fine. Just too close to the edge of the truck bed walls to be of use for scuba tanks

 

[Gareth]

Going to build something similar to this and use the box link points to ratchet strap everything secure. Dont really want to drill in to the bed of a new truck for floor anchor points which was another suggestion given

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Its more the location in regards to the front and back of the truck bed. The height of them are fine. Just too close to the edge of the truck bed walls to be of use for scuba tanks

Ok……I understand, makes sense

 

[Calson]

With a cradle made from 2x4 lumber you can stack tanks and have 6 in a rack. I dive with a buddy and so need to transport 4 tanks for us.

No reason or advantages to having the tanks transported vertically. Easier to manage the weight of tanks is all you need to do is slide them into a cradle or frame that only needs to keep the tanks from rolling around in the vehicle.

Go to a nearby dive spot and look at what other people are doing with their scuba tanks or go to a air fill shop and watch as people unload and reload their scuba tanks.

 

[Tenchi]

Similar to what @bushpilot mentioned. I use load bars from HF: https://www.harborfreight.com/ratcheting-cargo-bar-96811.html

Two of these and put the tanks left to right instead of front to aft. Paired with a rubber mat and they will not go anywhere.

 

[Tenchi]

Good to know thanks! I've had these for about 10-11 years now, will upgrade when they fail.

 

[Gareth]

So finally had the racks made, two for steels and on for aluminum tanks and a test fit in the truck worked a treat. Base racks bring the tanks up high enough that when fully loaded they are high enough for the box link tied offs. Will get photos of the set up fully when I go diving next

 

[Gareth]

The racks all painted, hoping to install them today for their first test run this coming Friday. Two coats of weather proof paint and a thick coat of polyethene clear coat.

 

[Gareth]

Well cylinder racks worked an absolute treat. 6 cylinders through 40 minutes of sand duning to reach the dive location and they did not move a single mm. Only photo I got of the truck in the wild. As well as how the racks were secured in. Bunge ties used over the cylinders to help secure them in place. Another ratchet strap used over them all as additional precaution. Not elegent or pretty but it did the job. Will admit fine tuning needed as lost loads of space in the trucks bed.

 

[LN7]

Well cylinder racks worked an absolute treat. 6 cylinders through 40 minutes of sand duning to reach the dive location and they did not move a single mm. Only photo I got of the truck in the wild. As well as how the racks were secured in. Bunge ties used over the cylinders to help secure them in place. Another ratchet strap used over them all as additional precaution. Not elegent or pretty but it did the job. Will admit fine tuning needed as lost loads of space in the trucks bed.

Congrats! Glad it worked out so well for you, and it seems this community helped play a role in the solution.

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