F350 bed supports

[north_mom]

Hi all, I have a 2005 F350, long bed crew cab. We live in Canada. My question is about bed supports and at what point does the rust become too bad so that the bed cannot safely support my truck camper? I know the first support (closest to the cab) fell off a couple of years ago, the second one is partially gone. I don't know how many more supports there are, although I do know that the base of the hitch is partially rusted and my husband said not to tow anything until he can repair it. The truck developed "wings" a couple of years ago, pieces of the side body of the bed that had rusted through and stuck out on each side of the bed above the rear wheel wells. My husband has done the bodywork to cosmetically repair those.

We have a Sunlite truck camper, the last time that was on the truck was 2 years ago, the first bed support was gone at that time so he used 2 ratchet straps, about 2" wide each from the mounting brackets of the front truck camper legs, those straps come together and attach to a central point under the truck, that central point is solid. The rear of the camper is attached via the normal chains. The strap supports seemed to work well 2 years ago, although the other rust issues were not apparent at that time. The camper has not been on the truck since. My question is - what holds the bed on the truck other than those bed supports? If the supports are rusted and are weak and/or missing, are the front straps and the rear chains the only things that would hold the camper on the truck? How many supports should there be? Yes my husband is a DIY guy, and he's very good at it, although he sees no need to address any of the rusted bed supports at this time. For this issue I just need to know that the camper really is safe w/this arrangement as I will be taking trips w/this rig by myself.

[jimh406]

I think it’s unsafe because you don’t know when the next one will fall off. Get it repaired/replaced or put a flatbed on it.

[MORSNOW]

jdc1 wrote:
Find a place that installs/sales utility truck beds. They'll have plenty of OEM beds laying around.

Another reason to buy white pickups, tons of excess OEM beds at the up fitters.

[Grit_dog]

jdc1 wrote:
Find a place that installs/sales utility truck beds. They'll have plenty of OEM beds laying around.

The last “new” truck bed that would fit it is 5 years old. And then you have different wiring etc. Plus the remaining condition of the truck is in question if it’s been that ate up by salt.
This is a case of beef up what you can economically or move on to another option. If being budget conscious anyway.

[Kayteg1]

jdc1 wrote:
Find a place that installs/sales utility truck beds. They'll have plenty of OEM beds laying around.

Don't know about it. About 5 years ago in San Francisco area I wanted to put bed on my F350 utility and used beds were selling for about $5000.
I ended putting Dodge bed on Ford.
Supports alone can be added and welded, but how is the bed floor?

[Grit_dog]

^These are great “options” , “if” you can find a new bed. And if you’re willing to toss a couple grand at a truck that isn’t worth much more than a couple grand.
IE not really practical if you’re limping along a 15 year old rust bucket.
If the bed floor isn’t rotted out, your handy husband can make some bed mounts out of tubing, hard rubber, stacked plates, run the bolts back thru or put in new location.
Otherwise toss the camper on, go for a drive and see how it handles.
Guess, if you have bed mounted tie downs I’d want the new mounts to be solid. Frame mount tie downs and not a big a concern. Bed floor only has to hold up the camper, not keep the whole mess attached to the truck.
No one here can predict how bad the truck is rusted out, but from your description, it sounds like it’s very rusted out.

[jdc1]

Find a place that installs/sales utility truck beds. They'll have plenty of OEM beds laying around.

[mellow]

I would find a replacement bed, I found one from Texas for mine that was rust free. My bed wouldn't pass MD inspection due to rusted supports and I looked into replacing the supports but opted to just get a new bed. Check FB marketplace for people selling truck beds. I would get a new (used) one as yours sounds like its done for. While you have the bed off the truck you can work on the frame and clean it up and seal the frame to prevent further rust damage.

Here is a good thread on it: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1440853-rusted-longbed-support-sills.html

I wouldn't use it with the camper on till you fix the issue. The good thing about our trucks is the beds can be changed from many different years (paint might even match), I put an 06 bed on my 02 truck. Or just turn it into a flatbed.