bed rail holes

maybe an odd question, but has anybody ever utilized any of the "holes" along the bedrail (underneath the cap, excluding the stake pocket hole) as an attachment point? i'm talking about the holes that the little plastic tabs (on the underside of the plastic rail cap) fit into, the rectangular/square openings. i've got a situation wherein i'm trying to avoid drilling holes, and cannot use the stake pocket hole on account of things not lining up. i was considering using some kind of toggle bolt or something similar. but all i've ever seen are the typical cheap-looking toggles; i'm a little wary on those guys.

 

I have not seen that but you probably could.

 

thanks for the reply. i have 2 aluminum feet, one on each bedrail. each extends about 30" from the cab side of the bed (up tight near the window) along the rail down towards the tailgate. i've figured out how to make it work w/ the bed pockets (contrary to my original post) and would just need to secure the end opposite the bed pocket. so i plan to drill a hole through the foot, through the plastic cap, and down into the square hole (red circle), and drop a toggle bolt w/ large washer into the hole. it wouldn't act as a load bearing anchor as much as it just needs to hold the end of the foot in place. hopefully it works, but am open to other suggestions.

 

Why not? A fender washer or even a flat bar on bottom would distribute the forces, but you might need to trim off any tabs on the rail cap that would interfere. Use a fender washer on top to help prevent cracking the cap and give an air gap for any condesation to dry.

 

You’re going to want a spacer under the cap. Otherwise when you tighten that bolt it will squash the cap which is only supported by a few ridges of plastic running lengthwise and crosswise.

 

great advice, thank you.