Forum Discussion

93lc900's avatar
93lc900
Explorer
Jul 03, 2015

Truck bed mounting question

Hi guys, hope this is the right section for this. Getting ready to take our 93 Lance lc900 out for its first trip with us. We have a 97 f350 crew cab 7.3 diesel that we will be hauling with. While installing the happijac tie downs in the bed of the truck I noticed a few missing and loose bed bolts. The ones that mount the bed to the frame of the truck. I tried to tighten the loose ones but they were stuck so I cut them off. It looks like the previous owner had a fifth wheel mount in the bed and left out two bed bolts when he removed it. So I have 3 bolts holding the bed on where there should be six. I can't use the original Ford bolts because the part in the bed that holds the bolts has been rounded when the bolts spun when removing them. What is my best bet for bolting the bed to the frame? Regular grade 8 hex bolt with a large fender washer and nylock nut? Carriage bolts? I don't think the height of the hex head will be a problem because I have a plastic liner and a rubber mat that will go over the bolts. I just want to make sure its bolted down well since I will be putting the camper in it. Any ideas or suggestions.
Truck Campers
  • Reddog1's avatar
    Reddog1
    Explorer II
    Jul 03, 2015
    I would use Regular grade 8 hex bolt with a large fender washer and nylock nut. I have done so in the past with no problems.

    Wayne
  • 93lc900's avatar
    93lc900
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2015
    OK great thank you. Am I correct with my thinking that the bolt head shouldn't be a problem with the liner and bed mat over it? Meaning the camper should sit flat and nut on the bolt heads?
  • Reddog1's avatar
    Reddog1
    Explorer II
    Jul 03, 2015
    As I recall, the bed has a washboard/corrugated shape. The bolts typically are in the valley of the corrugation. If you placed a straight edge on the bed above the head of the bolt, the straight edge would not touch the bolt.

    Personally, I would not put a TC on a bed liner, it is very slick of a surface. A rubber type mat is preferred.
  • 93lc900's avatar
    93lc900
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2015
    Ya I put a straight edge over the ribs and the bolt head would stick up above it maybe an 1/8" or so. The bedliner would go over that then the rubber mat over the bedliner. I agree with you about the bedliner being slick and I would not mount the camper just on the liner itself. With the rubber mat over the liner it seems pretty stable. I may do a roll in liner in the future though.
  • bcbouy's avatar
    bcbouy
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2015
    i used carriage bolts on my old ford.they worked fine.
  • Reddog1's avatar
    Reddog1
    Explorer II
    Jul 04, 2015
    I don't think I would be concerned with 1/8", especially if you are using a mat. You could simply cut out a small area for the bolt head. It does not have to be fancy.

    I usually avoid carriage bolts, unless I am using them on 1/8" or thicker steel. All to often, in sheet metal or wood, overtime the nut will seize and strip out the square hole. With a hex head bolt, you have a much better chance of freeing the nut.
  • AnEv942's avatar
    AnEv942
    Nomad
    Jul 04, 2015
    Had to look, not knowing earlier Fords used carriage type heads. Dorman has a few different bed bolt kits 934-311, 312, 313(most auto parts, includes clip with nuts, washers and bolts). Similar to my 01 so may not be a direct fit but nice large round head with either torx or hex in head. Might be worth comparing your bolts.
  • 93lc900's avatar
    93lc900
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2015
    OK I think I will just pick up some good grade 8 bolts and bolt it down. Thanks everyone
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Jul 04, 2015
    If you plan to keep the truck, spending extra 5 bucks on stainless steel might be good investment.
    x2 on not using bed liner. Those things are pretty slippery and the ties are not really design for holding the weight of the camper.
    When I was shopping around for my camper, I did run into 2 or 3 good deals on campers who slid off the truck, so those things really happen.
  • 93lc900's avatar
    93lc900
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2015
    Kayteg1 wrote:
    If you plan to keep the truck, spending extra 5 bucks on stainless steel might be good investment.
    x2 on not using bed liner. Those things are pretty slippery and the ties are not really design for holding the weight of the camper.
    When I was shopping around for my camper, I did run into 2 or 3 good deals on campers who slid off the truck, so those things really happen.


    What isn't designed to hold the weight of the camper?

About Travel Trailer Group

44,029 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 19, 2025