Is it ok to drive with the bed mat and no tailgate?

Mr Bojangles wrote:
That MAT would be hard pressed (No pun intended) to fly out!
The one fitting around the wheel wells.
Using "one of the ideas" proposed would remove chances of a mishap.

I am the OP. Yes the mat is quite heavy and fits in back of the wheel wells. I agree that the answer to this depends on the type of mat, and with my DeeZee mat fitted to the truck model including in back of the wheel wheel it shouldn't fall off.

Push came to shove I ran out of time and drove to the RV dealer with the mat not tied down. No problems. The mat did not move. From the responses saying that many people do this without problems I decided to risk it.

When I have more time I might look for a strap. What someone said a strap from a tie down point at the front of the bed, through the trailer hitch at the back, then back to the tie down on the other side of the bed. That would would be very safe. Or another option might be one of those nets that go across the back of the truck designed for when running without a tailgate. That would also be useful for carrying any cargo with the tailgate off.

Hello:
This is my second response to post (after reading all post to date).

I should have considered (google searched) which Mat was being considered.

That MAT would be hard pressed (No pun intended) to fly out!
The one fitting around the wheel wells.
Using "one of the ideas" proposed would remove chances of a mishap.

realter wrote:
Go to Home Depot and buy a concrete block. That's about 40 lbs, will hold the mat down , and easy to dispose of when you put the camper back on. And you only spent a dollar.

That's a good idea until the concrete block comes out.

Go to Home Depot and buy a concrete block. That's about 40 lbs, will hold the mat down , and easy to dispose of when you put the camper back on. And you only spent a dollar.

After 21 years working for a highway department I only remember finding 1 mat that someone lost on the road.We found more campers then that and alot more toppers. I would put a strap on it why take a chance.

you could always role up your mat, put a tie down strap around it to hold it rolled up, and tie it into bed. That way you can run with your tailgate off, and your sure mat will stay in bed.

I use the tie down strap to keep mine rolled up for storage in garage
when I am using the 5th wheel hitch.

nice thing about 8' horse stall mats, way too dang heavy and stiff to blow out.

I bought a tailgate net to install hoping to keep everything in the bed. Fingers crossed. ;)

kohldad wrote:
Big difference between those commercial rules and what non-commercial folks must abide by.

Does it really matter if you are a commercial driver or not, if your bed mat manages to get slung out into the path of a family in a small car? Does being non-commercial absolve you of blame or make you sleep better afterwards?

northshore wrote:
Mine may not be a "DeeZee" mat but I have had it flutter back there, never flew out but I have heard it and seen it fluttering.
I am a believer in Mr Murphy's law

I have no idea what brand ours is, but it too, will flop around in the back of the truck at highway speeds :-(