Off-Topic...Truck Bed Tie Downs

[Namrups]

Great idea but it looks like aluminum. It also looks like it has deformed just by tightening the strap. If there was an accident the force might just rip that center section out. I think the design is great but I would do it out of steel. Also is there reinforcement behind the bolts? Don't want them to rip thru sheet metal.

[VRaptor SpeedWorks, LLC]

Great idea but it looks like aluminum. It also looks like it has deformed just by tightening the strap. If there was an accident the force might just rip that center section out. I think the design is great but I would do it out of steel. Also is there reinforcement behind the bolts? Don't want them to rip thru sheet metal.

Good points. The aluminum is 1/8" thick and that center section is 1/2" wide. Honestly, I'd worry about the tension from the strap collapsing the box side before I'd worry about the aluminum breaking. Maybe we have an engineer here who could do a strength analysis on that center section?......1/8" 5052 aluminum, 1/2" width, 1.3" length (including the radiused part) with 0.2" radius at each end?

Yes, the center strip is deformed on purpose before installation to give more clearance for the hook to get in there....formed the thickness of the material.....so at the center of the strip, the back of the strip is flush with the front of the plate. The box side has an indentation in that location (clearance for the strap hook to get in there) behind the openings and the hole pattern is reinforced with inserts meant to attach these tie downs to. The entire bed/truck is made from aluminum.

Why make these from aluminum? Again.....simplicity. No need to paint or coat them. No chance of them ever rusting out.

[J R Jones]

Great idea but it looks like aluminum. It also looks like it has deformed just by tightening the strap. If there was an accident the force might just rip that center section out. I think the design is great but I would do it out of steel. Also is there reinforcement behind the bolts? Don't want them to rip thru sheet metal.

My Tundra has 10mm steel "U" loops attached in the four corners to post structure. They have served the purpose; your concept would not survive my abuse. Moreover they appear to be attached with self-tapping screws. The Tundra loops are fastened to weld-nuts. Consider the structure that is in your ratchet strap hooks. Are your mounts equivalent or stronger?
jim