Truck bed rubber mat

[bkenobi]

I'm sure it's been asked and answered, but the search isn't helping.

NL says I need a 3/8" rubber mat between 1" plywood and the camper for my 2016 Ram. I found places that have the 4'x8' sheet, but I was hoping to make it a bit longer abd wider if possible. Does anyone have a source for larger rubber mats? Also, Six Robles is the cheapest local source ($97+tax) which seems really pricey!

[bkenobi]

I found a source for 1" 25psi XPS foam insulation board. I'm debating getting 1 sheet and framing it into the bed with plywood or something so it wont shift as well as adding support for crushing of edges, or get 2 sheets and cut to fully fit bed, or buy 1 sheet and leave alone. Either option selected, I'd add a rubber mat over. Another option is to add 5mm luan plywood to avoid dents from camper corners when setting down.

This stuff is currently $17/ea so its light, easy to cut, and fairly cheap compared to all other wood options.

[bkenobi]

I don't think that will work for me since the NL is a fiberglass bas le and I'm not screwing into the bottom. I did consider a full layer of 1x6 in the bed. Cost and convenience was about the same as cutting up a 4x8 plywood sheet though (I think).

[monkey44]

Had same problem, bought one inch think 1x6 decking, and screwed it in three places across the bottom of the TC ... from side to side, not length wise ...

Then bought a 3/8 think pre-formed rubber bed mat (I believe I bought it at Advance Auto, or some auto parts store, can't remember)that is shaped to fit the bed and curls around the wheel wells, laid it in the bed, dropped the camper on it, with the cross-bars and never have a problem. IT raised the camper one and a half inches, and cleared the side rails (was tight before, along the top rail), now fits perfect. If you ask, and want it, I will go over to the storage area tomorrow, and shoot a photo, which will explain it better than a thousand words.

It works really well, and have had ZERO sliding issues since TC new in 2008 ...

[Kayteg1]

I just spoke with fellow Ford truck owner.
He lives is small town in Colorado, so has to shop for parts in 40 miles radius. Checking for horse mats did not work, so after spending time calling around, he decided to call Ford dealer.
Factory mat $120 on stock. He went for it.

[billyray50]

I bought a Protecta rubber bed mat for my then 2015 Ram 3500 fits in my new 2017 Ram 3500. Fits perfectly no cutting and is pretty thick. Will try and measure thickness and update. Have a sprayed in bedliner too. Do not need plywood since my Adventurer TC is tall but if I did would just use piece of plywood.

[Grit_dog]

Most gravel pits will have a bunch of trashed conveyor belt laying around. I get it periodically for walking track equipment on roadways that can’t be damaged.
That’s not your answer though just like stacking other heavy materials.
You can use the plywood you have. Either cut it down the middle and secure it to the bed, or get a 2nd sheet and cut to fit around the wheel wells and split down the middle as previously explained.
Foam is another option. Don’t use the bead board you were talking about. Use rigid polystyrene. It comes in 40, 60, and 100psi compressive strength. 40 will do. It will not crush under an evenly applied load.
The biggest issue though is sliding, right? Your camper is slippery on the bottom. You have 2 options. Contain it in a frame or make it grip better

[Hgreen]

We use the Corning formular XPS 400/600/1000 very dense foam board. It’s blue and does not dent under our NL camper. We had to get from a commercial foam place as or Hond Depot/Lowe’s didn’t carry that dense of one. You can get in 4x8 sheets in different thicknesses. It’s light weight. We also have a horse stall mat from Tractor supply under foam and a very thin non-slide mat on top of the foam. We leave the horse stall mat in the truck bed all of the time when camper not on truck.

[bkenobi]

I appreciate any suggestions. I was just saying that since I don't have a belt nor know where to source one it's difficult to proceed with that option. The only thing I've found that's close to used belt is a web site out of texas that claims to sell belts as well as other products. However, they don't currently have anything and its half way across the country from Washington state.

[nevadanick]

I understand you dont have conveyor belt, but you could likely get used belt for nothing and depending on its thickness sandwich plywood between the belt material to get your required thickness. Just trying to help.

[bkenobi]

I looked at the foam insulation last night. It looks like there are 2 types available. One is blue but appears to crush easily and stay deformed (damage from handling evident and finger marks are permanent). The other is white with a silver backing on one side. That material is pretty squishy but appears to rebound when squished. I can't tell what a heavy liad would do, but I assume 1" foam would not be a 1" spacer.

Has anyone used a structural foam of any kind? I see a number of options online but have not seen anything in person yet.

[bkenobi]

I don't have conveyor belt. If I did, I doubt it would be 1-3/8" thick. If it was, I assume it wouldnt be soft/hard enough for NL.

[nevadanick]

What about conveyor belt ?

[bkenobi]

I bought a sheet of 1-1/8" underlayment plywood with the intent to just get a 1/4" bed mat. I didnt realize just how heavy and awkward it is to move. I think I'll have to do something dmaller cause someone's going to get hurt moving this beast. It's probably safest to at least cut it down the center of not quarter it. One poster above said they quartered theirs but didn't have pictures. Anyone have show and tell?

[bkenobi]

And at $100/mat, that makes a very affordable approach!