Mounting to Tacoma's Composite Bed

[Plannerman]

I've been considering mounting new tie downs to the bed of my truck for increased versatility with securing cargo. To date, I've added D-rings to the bed via the frame mounts, but I'm luke warm on this solution. I'd love to add Core Trax or at least one or two additional pairs of rings, but doing such would necessitate drilling and mounting to the bed. Does anyone have any long term experience with the durability of the bed in this regard?

 

[farrdg]

I have had those in my truck since I bought it new in 08. They work great and I have not had any problems. I did make backing plates for mine using 1"x1/8" thick steel that I cut to size and painted. You may have to grind some spots on the underside of the bed based upon the way its molded, but other than that its all good. :coffeedrink:

 

[Plannerman]

I don't suppose you have any pictures of top side or under side...?

 

[keezer37]

I don't know how much stress you plan on putting on these tracks but personally, I would not cut through/grind away any of the molded structural support on the underside. I would use bolt through backing plates to spread the load. The size of the plates you'll have to guess at based on how much stress you think you might apply. For ratchet straps I'd work toward 6"x6" backing plates of 1/8" gauge.

The composite bed is stout as I have drilled it for pass-thrus. Though I've never done what you'd like to accomplish.

 

[MrGrimm]

I have had my hi lift mounted to the side of my bed for a couple of years. the backside has mounting plates that I made. Just long aluminum pieces that have holes drilled them for the bolts. Very stable after many miles of use.

 

[Dave Bennett]

Good advice here, follow it and you'll be fine

 

[Plannerman]

Keezer, are you suggesting placing backing plates against the molded structural supports? Or only afixing bolts, tie downs, etc., to those places on the bed (such as the sides) that do not have the molded supports?

 

[keezer37]

I'm suggesting option #2 of your question: Where you plan to bolt through your tracks, I suggest looking at the underside and make sure you can afix backing plates to the underside avoiding the supports.

For example, this is the hardware for my jack. The single flat bar with two holes goes on the backside of the composite bed to spread the load of the bolts going through. The big piece of painted black wood goes as you can see in the second photo on the front side. Mind you, this jack as is probably the case with McGrimm's, is also supported at the base and rests on the wheel well hump so up/down travel is limited by these additional features. Your concern is torquing down on ratchet straps and up/down travel of your secured load.