Pickup truck bed tie downs

[Sirref]

Alright so I have my pickup truck now (ford ranger) and I have the ramps to get the bike into the bed and everything fits so far. All I need to know is to figure out what kind of tie down bolts to buy.

so far I see both of these as options but I was wondering what everyone else who loads their bikes into the back of a pickup truck uses

http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...nts-95182.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...ing-96232.html

[Worldtraveller]

You might check if they are cast, or forged. Forged fittings are stronger and (more importantly) much less prone to fatigue cracking. Not sure what the price difference might be. Harbor freight is great for lots of things, but if they are cast, go get the good stuff. If they are forgings, they should be fine, although I'm a bit nervous seeing something like that without a specific load rating.

(I'm a structural engineer, so I do those kind of checks every day in my work.)

[Sirref]

I saw them in store, the second option had a load rating of 1000lbs and the first a load rating of 700lbs

[Desmoluci]

I'd go for door #2. I never trusted the ones that go in the top of the bed.

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by Desmoluci

I'd go for door #2. I never trusted the ones that go in the top of the bed.

I think I very well may get a set of 4 of those, I picked up the first option the other day but looking at them started questioning how I would secure the bike using them. Looks like I'm going to ride out to one of my favorite roads and stop by to swap them out.

Now just to figure out how I'll secure them to the truck bed floor, I think I'll need a drill bit and some bolts. It'll only be as strong as the bolts that I choose though

[Desmoluci]

Try to make a plate to bolt through underneath so you can spread the load out. That truck bed is just thin sheet metal.

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by Desmoluci

Try to make a plate to bolt through underneath so you can spread the load out. That truck bed is just thin sheet metal.

Thank's for the tip, stuff like this is why I made the thread. I wouldn't have thought of that and could have messed up the bed on my absolute mint condition truck

[Desmoluci]

Originally Posted by Sirref

Thank's for the tip, stuff like this is why I made the thread. I wouldn't have thought of that and could have messed up the bed on my absolute mint condition truck

And the fairing when it smashes into the bedside...

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by Desmoluci

And the fairing when it smashes into the bedside...

don't have a fairing

by the time I do have a track bike with a fairing I'll have a proper trailer and will use the bed for storing all of my gear/track day accessories. The bed cover will stay on permanently once I get a proper enclosed trailer this winter

[burningscooter]

D-Ring, no question.

I gave up straps though, and put a Pitbull TRS in my bed.

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by burningscooter

D-Ring, no question.

I gave up straps though, and put a Pitbull TRS in my bed.

well out of my current price point but I can see that as being very useful down the line when I start running out of space in an enclosed trailer
do you use one for both wheels or just one for the rear?

[burningscooter]

Originally Posted by Sirref

well out of my current price point but I can see that as being very useful down the line when I start running out of space in an enclosed trailer
do you use one for both wheels or just one for the rear?

Just for the rear. No need for extra work!