Bolting through bed?

Any advice on drilling through the bed on a 21 crewmax in order to bolt something down? I think I read the bed is composite? What did you use to distribute the load of the bolt under the bed (e.g. more than a washer?)?

Thanks for any tips

 

21 is still sheet metal to the best of my knowledge. The 22's have switched to the new composite bed. I bolted in a plywood box structure to my 2012 and I just used washers in 4 places. My pops 21 is basically identical to mine so I would think yours should be as well.

 

Should be fine, as long as you look to where you’re drilling. We’re still on sheet metal at our years.

Just take a look under the bed before you mock up any drilling.

 

rather than drilling a new hole, you may be able to use one of the bed bolts to attach whatever it is.

 

Nutserts or rivnuts are an option.

 

thanks all. I am building a similar box structure to Brandon's and don't want it flying around when offroading. Nutserts and rivnuts look interesting, thanks.

 

Not sure exactly what you are going for but just another note on mine. In addition to the 4 bolts along the bottom of my box, I have 2 bolts threaded into the holes that the factory bed rail would mount to. If I did not have the tonneau, I may tried to hit more of the bed rail holes but mine are covered by the brackets. This has been super stable and I could not make it budge when I was yanking on it as I was building.

 

Nice work!

 

Thanks, that looks very sturdy.

Here is a pic of what I'm building (still a work in progress), full width but only 9" tall so only bolted through the bottom. 4 pieces that can easily be removed or reconfigured for camping.

 

Throw a couple or few bolts in each section, give it a nice slap and say "that ain't going anywhere", Should be golden then . I put the high bolts on mine because it is tall and thin up next to the bedside but you should not have to worry about that .