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How to add bed tie downs with no rail system?

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by IowaGuy, Apr 2, 2022.

  1. Apr 2, 2022 at 12:12 PM
    #1
    IowaGuy

    IowaGuy [OP] New Member

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    I am disappointed that my SR5 doesnt have the bed rail system or any real tie downs in the bed - how can I add some? I really do not want to add the rail system due to the cost and I already have a tonneau cover that fits. It is kinda a strange idea but I thought about adding the Ford bed cleats like the attached picture. The for cleats just drill and tap in but I do not know if the Tundra bed is strong enough to support them. Is there anything similar made for the Tundra?

    FORD_F150_Raptor_Bed_Tie_Down_Bracket_Ronin_Factory_with_cleat_with_Logo_1800x1800.jpg
     
  2. Apr 2, 2022 at 12:16 PM
    #2
    Terndrerrr

    Terndrerrr guzzling dealer repellent

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    If I needed additional tie downs but didn’t want to spend the money on the factory rail system, I would add some D-loops to the bed bolts or to the factory rail mounts. The threads that the rails are supposed to mount to are M6 x 1.0. If you get some screws that size at Home Depot for a couple bucks, you can mount any D loops you want for cheap. I wouldn’t go any longer than 20mm or an inch on the screws.
     
  3. Apr 2, 2022 at 12:17 PM
    #3
    cctxquicksand

    cctxquicksand IG - TRDistheWrd

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    I have seen a lot of guys use unistrut, you can get it at a home improvement store and it is just as if not stronger than the bedrail system
     
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  4. Apr 2, 2022 at 12:28 PM
    #4
    Boerseun

    Boerseun MGM XP-Series

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    I agree with this.
    A combination of D-loops at the bed bolts and smaller ones along the side using the factory tapped holes for the bed rail.
    That will give you a lot of options.
     
  5. Apr 2, 2022 at 2:40 PM
    #5
    IowaGuy

    IowaGuy [OP] New Member

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    How many rail mounting holes are there supposed to be? I only have two small holes front and back at the top near the bed cap.
     
  6. Apr 2, 2022 at 2:44 PM
    #6
    Terndrerrr

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    There are 4 or 5 on each side. If you have a bedliner, the ones you can’t see are hidden under it. Get a screwdriver and press onto the bedliner in line with the two holes you can see. You’ll find them easily.

    Get some of those Home Depot screws and some of these fixed D loops, and you’ve got a lot of options for tying things down.
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2022
  7. Apr 2, 2022 at 8:35 PM
    #7
    2mchfun

    2mchfun Yeah it'll pull it, just don't expect to stop!

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    You could do stake pocket anchors as well. Much stronger than the D loop idea.
     
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  8. Apr 2, 2022 at 8:38 PM
    #8
    2mchfun

    2mchfun Yeah it'll pull it, just don't expect to stop!

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    Your bed cover might be mounted to some of what were the factory rail holes.
     
  9. Apr 2, 2022 at 10:16 PM
    #9
    Terndrerrr

    Terndrerrr guzzling dealer repellent

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    That’s a possibility for sure. It would require drilling new holes in the bed.
    I haven’t seen any that utilize those threaded holes. Most bed covers just don’t play nice with the factory rails because the rails sit right at the top of the bedsides, and they’re in the way of the clamps that hold the bed covers down. But where an entire rail won’t play nice with a bed cover, a few D loops mounted with M6x1.0 screws on each side would play nice. Plus it would cost a total of $20 and require no drilling anywhere.

    I used the same screws and factory threaded holes for my homemade shovel and axe mounts under my bed cover.
     
  10. Apr 2, 2022 at 10:39 PM
    #10
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    The factory rail system is less than 200 bucks shipped. One of the few oem parts not aggregiously overpriced
     
  11. Apr 3, 2022 at 6:58 AM
    #11
    2mchfun

    2mchfun Yeah it'll pull it, just don't expect to stop!

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    Idk, many stake pocket anchors I used just expanded inside the pocket, no drilling necessary. However, it is necessary to cut the square out of the plastic bed cap. As for the rails, the top of mine are a good inch below the plastic cap. My bed cover velcro surfaced rails sit on top of them and clamp to them too. So, the bed cover is almost flush with the bed cap. Maybe, mine is different from yours since I have Trail edition bed boxes.
     
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  12. Apr 3, 2022 at 8:02 AM
    #12
    COTundie

    COTundie Whoa Black Betty

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    Bakflip will send simple relocation brackets and hardware for lowering the side rails about 2.5".

    Was one of my requirements while shopping for a folding, hard tonneau as I wanted to retain the tie-down system.

    One could easily mimick the kit with steel brackets, M6x1.0 bolts, and some flat washers.

    If I were more focused on trail goodies and less so on convenient hauling ability, I would do a custom unistrut system for mounting recovery equipment on the bedsides.
     
  13. Apr 3, 2022 at 8:06 AM
    #13
    IowaGuy

    IowaGuy [OP] New Member

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    I have a Tyger soft flip bed cover that uses lever clamps to clamp down under the bed rails to secure it. I also have spray in bed liner and I dont know why they covered up some of the holes but not others.
     
  14. Apr 3, 2022 at 8:14 AM
    #14
    COTundie

    COTundie Whoa Black Betty

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    Yeah. The covering of the mounting holes was kind of a dick move.

    I would explore with a small pick, as you should be able to locate the centers and puncture the sprayed liner. Then a de-burring bit would probably be useful open them up the rest of the way without damaging the threads... tho an M6 tap would probably be good to have on hand anyway.

    What bed length are you working with. I've got a DC with 6.5' bed and would be happy to give you approximate locations
     
  15. Apr 3, 2022 at 8:16 AM
    #15
    2mchfun

    2mchfun Yeah it'll pull it, just don't expect to stop!

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    IIRC, you bought the truck used, maybe the previous owner(s) wanted to keep some of the holes accessible for some reason such as clamping down a shell or a custom DIY bedrack. Doesn't really matter since the ship has sailed. Like others said super-strut is a great alternative choice for securing loads under cover, but stake pocket anchors would be superior for strapping down something heavy like a motorcycle or similar when the cover is open.
     
  16. Apr 3, 2022 at 8:28 AM
    #16
    DZ_

    DZ_ New Member

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    If I were not in a place where salt and brine were sprayed on the roads, I might consider drilling and adding the E-Track tie-down system. I use the single mount slots and O-rings on my trailer for securing the motorcycles and tractor. Rather handy system.

    https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=E+track&furl=-pg-E~Track
     
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  17. Apr 3, 2022 at 8:34 AM
    #17
    COTundie

    COTundie Whoa Black Betty

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    E-track is great!

    But the factory system is much more low profile. Makes it easier to mount, takes up less of your bed, and adjusts to infinite positions.
     
  18. Apr 3, 2022 at 8:49 AM
    #18
    IowaGuy

    IowaGuy [OP] New Member

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    I have the short bed and I occasionally haul an appliance or furniture for friends and what not. I am also wanting a good secure anchor to lock my camping generator into with a cable. Right now I have 2 sets of the smaller hooks in the front and the back at the bottom of the bed. I found these on Amazon and might give them a try after locating the holes.

    61M8lLqJH1L._AC_SL1500_.jpg
     
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  19. Apr 3, 2022 at 9:28 AM
    #19
    DZ_

    DZ_ New Member

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    I'm not sure about low profile or taking up less room. The t-track system is nice, but really in the wrong place for loads that at less tall than the bed, which, with a Diamondback cover, is all of them. There really needs to be lashing points low on the bed walls and in the bed. I have considered locating a few of the single point track mounts in strategic and structurally sound locations. One possible location:
    20220403_121752.jpg
     
  20. Apr 3, 2022 at 9:54 AM
    #20
    Terndrerrr

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    They really are easy to find. If you just poke a hole with a punch or even with a Phillips screwdriver, you can get those screws to thread easily. I left the holes very small so that the heads of the screws cover them up and form a seal over the hole in the bed liner. Rather than having a big hole cut in the bed liner for rust to start. Here’s the hole almost at the very end of the bed. Mine were hidden under the bed liner, too:
    408F4748-7F75-4B68-9297-FB4D9ED8EE9D.jpg

    I decided not to use the relocation brackets to lower my factory rails out of the bed cover’s way. Seems like if you tighten a strap too much, you could bend those bars. Here you can see my bed cover clamps and my homemade axe/shovel mounts. The factory bed rails are in the way of these clamps, but you can easily put some fixed D loops in these threaded holes:
    08266B67-757E-4732-8894-421F37BE36B5.jpg
     
  21. Apr 3, 2022 at 5:18 PM
    #21
    COTundie

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    Didn't even consider a single. I actually quite like it. Thought you were suggesting a length of the e-track along both bed sides to mimick the factory rails.

    Definitely low profile enough for loading and unloading of objects.
     
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  22. Apr 3, 2022 at 5:20 PM
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    reywcms

    reywcms New Member

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    Bed D Rings. Just need to grind the washer and make a straight edge so it lays flat.

    A600D01E-11D8-4B18-8955-A1B7A8F99AF2.jpg
    94FF9FFD-6980-456C-B271-94FC09D24E95.jpg
    EA75F8A0-AEAA-466C-9F6F-12054639CEC4.jpg
     
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  23. Apr 3, 2022 at 6:50 PM
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    glowblue

    glowblue From time to time

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  24. Apr 3, 2022 at 8:01 PM
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    Cock-A-Doddle-Do

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    ^^^^This^^^.....works great
     
  25. Apr 29, 2022 at 5:24 AM
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    baraynavab

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    Great ideas. In terms of the pocket anchors. I think they are to far off from where you want to get the anchor your stuff. The pocket anchors being at the edge.

    I do think that the bed drings are good but I have a plastic tub so that may not work. But OP it would be good to see what you finally got working. Please post pictures and item list when you are finally done.
     
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  26. Apr 29, 2022 at 2:24 PM
    #26
    IowaGuy

    IowaGuy [OP] New Member

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    I have kinda procrastinated on this project as I am waiting until I need to haul something so I can cuss when I dont have enough tie downs.
     
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  27. Apr 29, 2022 at 3:30 PM
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    DZ_

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    That way, you'll truly appreciate it when it's done.
     
  28. Apr 30, 2022 at 5:51 PM
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    Hotwire

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    Shallow unistrut is super easy to mount using the factory rail locations.

    6B83D054-60E3-4B37-9F97-C7758BE52F61.jpg
     
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  29. Apr 30, 2022 at 6:18 PM
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    3rdTundra

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  30. Apr 30, 2022 at 6:26 PM
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    Hotwire

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