My worry with guides has always been the possible side forces exerted on the jacks while they are in their extended length (mine are at almost full extension to clear the bed height). It is an exacting process to get my TC on the flat bed since I only have a 1/2" clearance on either side with the jacks swung in, but things could be much worse if I bent a leg or pulled out a jack mount.
I like having a pad between the TC and bed. It stops almost all movement and my new thicker pad absorbs some shock. I had a thin DeeZee mat on my F250 just so it would not slide. My 5500 has some gooseneck hardware that just barely extends over the bed deck - Using 3/4" hose stall mats cleared that hardware.
BTW: We rolled through your area yesterday and are now on the dry side of the mountains.
