I have my 2007 NL 10-2QRR mated to a 2016 Ram 3500 SRW LB. The dealer recommended a bed mat to prevent slippage but they only had 4'x8'x1/4". I thought it was a little thin, so I decided on a 4'x8'x1" stall mat.The problem is, I'm getting a little sag in the back right when on the truck so the side wall touches the vertical tailgate post (causes rubbing) and the diner box separates from the back wall by 1/2". When I drop it back down on the jacks, everything is fine.Keith at NL said this is not a common problem and it could be how it's mounted. They recommend a 1" plywood and then 3/8" DeeZee mat on top. The dealership suggested trying to shim between the mat and the outer bed wall with 1" of something (plywood, mat, etc) to support the outer wall of the camper.Does anyone have thoughts on this? I was going to cut down a couple plywood shims, but thought that could add a stress location at the back outside corner that might damage the fiberglass. Ideally I would think a mat that was the shape of the bed and 1" to 1-1/2" thick and contoured to the bed ridges would bethel way to go.

BK,Under most conditions a thin bed mat is best. Why? Very little offset or deflection when compressed. If you have a sagging problem due to the mat, it's too thick and flexible, which only comes into play when more pressure is placed on one spot or another. Also, you will get more camper sway out of a thick horse stall mat.After years of experimenting, thin and sticky are, for me, still the best combination.Mine is a 3/8" thick ribbed rubber matt and has done me well for 16 years.jefe

We just use a Westin rubber bed mat on top of a spray in liner. The combo provides good friction to keep the TC from sliding in the bed.Westin liner

I haven't looked closely at the NL construction, but it is similar to my Bigfoot I think. These are supported by the fiberglass sides of the box, there is not much in the middle. A 4' wide mat is fine from the wheel wells forward, but the box gets wider aft of the wheel wells, nearly filling the tailgate opening which is more like 5'. A 4' wide 1" thick mat is trying to support the floor in the middle, where there is little structure. I would try buying another small piece of 1" and filling in between the wheel wells and the tailgate to at least the tailgate width.I also agree with the sentiment that too thick and too soft isn't desirable. I use 1/2 plywood (wider that 4' at the tailgate) with a DeeZee type 3/8" hard rubber mat. The plywood helps bridge all the irregularities in the bed, the mat keeps the camper from eating the plywood or vice versa.

Ok, so it sounds like I should get a shim of mat for the Shor term if I can. A permanent solution is what NL said (1" plywood and 3/8" rubber mat). I don't dare go less than 1" as this truck has a satellite find on the cab which will damage the cab over (or vice versa) when bouncing down the road.

This seems a little strange to me. Maybe it's RAM/NL specific. I suppose I'd try plywood with the 1 inch stall matt since you have it.

Truck bed mat options | Good Sam Community

35 Replies

jimh406
Explorer III
Apr 16, 2017
This seems a little strange to me. Maybe it's RAM/NL specific. I suppose I'd try plywood with the 1 inch stall matt since you have it.
bkenobi
Explorer
Apr 16, 2017
Ok, so it sounds like I should get a shim of mat for the Shor term if I can. A permanent solution is what NL said (1" plywood and 3/8" rubber mat). I don't dare go less than 1" as this truck has a satellite find on the cab which will damage the cab over (or vice versa) when bouncing down the road.
HMS_Beagle
Explorer
Apr 16, 2017
I haven't looked closely at the NL construction, but it is similar to my Bigfoot I think. These are supported by the fiberglass sides of the box, there is not much in the middle. A 4' wide mat is fine from the wheel wells forward, but the box gets wider aft of the wheel wells, nearly filling the tailgate opening which is more like 5'. A 4' wide 1" thick mat is trying to support the floor in the middle, where there is little structure.

I would try buying another small piece of 1" and filling in between the wheel wells and the tailgate to at least the tailgate width.

I also agree with the sentiment that too thick and too soft isn't desirable. I use 1/2 plywood (wider that 4' at the tailgate) with a DeeZee type 3/8" hard rubber mat. The plywood helps bridge all the irregularities in the bed, the mat keeps the camper from eating the plywood or vice versa.
work2much
Explorer
Apr 16, 2017
We just use a Westin rubber bed mat on top of a spray in liner. The combo provides good friction to keep the TC from sliding in the bed.

Westin liner
jefe_4x4
Explorer
Apr 16, 2017
BK,
Under most conditions a thin bed mat is best. Why? Very little offset or deflection when compressed. If you have a sagging problem due to the mat, it's too thick and flexible, which only comes into play when more pressure is placed on one spot or another. Also, you will get more camper sway out of a thick horse stall mat.
After years of experimenting, thin and sticky are, for me, still the best combination.
Mine is a 3/8" thick ribbed rubber matt and has done me well for 16 years.
jefe

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Truck bed mat options

35 Replies

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