12’ boards in a short bed

[muddy12]

Had to pick up some 12’ decking boards after work the other day. I really didn’t want to take my trailer(where I work, it’s a pain to park with a trailer). So, I hit up my scrap pile, plugged in the welder, and ended up with this.


All made of 2” X 2”X 1/4” wall square tubing.
It’s 10’ from the front of the bed, to the support.
Worked really well, and I have a few ideas in the works to potentially turn this into a “multi-use” item.

Oh, almost forgot, truck is a crew cab, short bed(5’-7”), 1500 4x4.


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[chrisbh17]

REALLY nice idea....you can even put some "pitch" on it to make sure the material wont slide out of the bed.

I have the 6-4 bed and would love something like this for myself....alas, I dont know how to weld

 

[muddy12]

It’s hard to tell from the pic, but the support is slightly higher than the bed floor. This helps keep some weight off of the tailgate, and helps keep the boards from sliding. Also, the cross bar has holes in the end, so the load can be secured with a ratchet strap.


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[chrisbh17]

Let me know how much you want to make mine lol

 

[McBroom]

I do like your craftsmanship. I do think I’ve seen something similar to this advertised and mass produced. My wife who’s a manager for harbor Freight Tools just told me that they carry them in the stores. I can’t remember how much. It’s still cheaper to build IMHO.


I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 6.4L. USMC (ret)

 

[muddy12]

You are correct, there are several companies that make “hitch mount truck bed extenders”. Most seem to be in the $60 to $100 price range.
I just couldn’t justify purchasing one(and having to wait for it to be delivered), when I could build one in under an hour, with materials I had laying around.


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[MasonD21]

You are correct, there are several companies that make “hitch mount truck bed extenders”. Most seem to be in the $60 to $100 price range.
I just couldn’t justify purchasing one(and having to wait for it to be delivered), when I could build one in under an hour, with materials I had laying around.


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This is fantastic. Very well done!

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

I'd be willing to bet the mass produced ones aren't 1/4" wall. Probably 1/8". Nice job Sir!

I do like your craftsmanship. I do think I’ve seen something similar to this advertised and mass produced. My wife who’s a manager for harbor Freight Tools just told me that they carry them in the stores. I can’t remember how much. It’s still cheaper to build IMHO.


I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 6.4L. USMC (ret)

 

[McBroom]

I'd be willing to bet the mass produced ones aren't 1/4" wall. Probably 1/8". Nice job Sir!

It is 1/8”


I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 Off Road. 6.4L. USMC (ret)

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

I have to get additional edjumacation on welding. So much you can do. I bought the typical starter Hobart spool gun MIG welder from Northern Tool to re-do a rusted out Jeep CJ7 for my son's first car. That was 13 yrs ago. Gotta step it up from that level to do some "for real" welding projects. Just as soon as I sell this place and get my butt down to Tennessee. Wifey's there waiting.

 

[muddy12]

Headed back to the lumber yard today after work, to get another load of decking. I’ll snap a couple empty and loaded pics. The first load wasn’t bad, weight wise, but there was noticeable “squat” that I think was due to the load being behind the axle quite a bit.


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[GIJoe2010]

On the horizontal bar (where the wood is resting) the ends are open and there are holes there. Any thoughts on adding uprights so there's no lateral shifting?

They could adjustable, for narrow or wider loads.

 

[McBroom]

I have to get additional edjumacation on welding. So much you can do. I bought the typical starter Hobart spool gun MIG welder from Northern Tool to re-do a rusted out Jeep CJ7 for my son's first car. That was 13 yrs ago. Gotta step it up from that level to do some "for real" welding projects. Just as soon as I sell this place and get my butt down to Tennessee. Wifey's there waiting.

Texas is an even better place to call home and is less restrictive


I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 Off Road. 6.4L. USMC (ret)

 

[McBroom]

Headed back to the lumber yard today after work, to get another load of decking. I’ll snap a couple empty and loaded pics. The first load wasn’t bad, weight wise, but there was noticeable “squat” that I think was due to the load being behind the axle quite a bit.


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That’s right. Other than putting air bags on it’ll squat some but not dangerously. That truck will handle the load even if it’s close to sitting on the bump stops. I hope it’s not a long drive loaded though.


I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 Off Road. 6.4L. USMC (ret)

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

Texas is an even better place to call home and is less restrictive


I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 Off Road. 6.4L. USMC (ret)

I'm in NJ. ANYWHERE is less restrictive! Texas loves our 4x4's but too hot for either of us. She loves the Smoky Mountains & I want to build a 300 yd range and a short dirt track to play on.

 

[muddy12]

On the horizontal bar (where the wood is resting) the ends are open and there are holes there. Any thoughts on adding uprights so there's no lateral shifting?

They could adjustable, for narrow or wider loads.

I have been thinking about adding uprights, just haven’t gotten to it. For the time being though, opposing straps attached to the ends of the horizontal bar, seem to work fine.


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[muddy12]

That’s right. Other than putting air bags on it’ll squat some but not dangerously. That truck will handle the load even if it’s close to sitting on the bump stops. I hope it’s not a long drive loaded though.


I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 Off Road. 6.4L. USMC (ret)

Depends on what you consider a long drive.
It’s about 20 miles on a state highway, then another couple miles on county roads (paved and gravel) to get from the lumber yard to my house.

I have given some thought to air bags, I just haven’t decided which route to take though. My practical side wants to go with add-on bags. While “the kid inside” wants to go all out and build the truck with D-60’s, link suspension(front and rear), and heavy duty(think semi truck) air bags on all 4 corners.


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[McBroom]

Depends on what you consider a long drive.
It’s about 20 miles on a state highway, then another couple miles on county roads (paved and gravel) to get from the lumber yard to my house.

I have given some thought to air bags, I just haven’t decided which route to take though. My practical side wants to go with add-on bags. While “the kid inside” wants to go all out and build the truck with D-60’s, link suspension(front and rear), and heavy duty(think semi truck) air bags on all 4 corners.


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Nahh on the 2nd paragraph. The kid part.
Do you tow a lot ? Or haul a lot of the time?


I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 Off Road. 6.4L. USMC (ret)

 

[McBroom]

I have been thinking about adding uprights, just haven’t gotten to it. For the time being though, opposing straps attached to the ends of the horizontal bar, seem to work fine.


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And always will


I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 Off Road. 6.4L. USMC (ret)

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

Depends on what you consider a long drive.
It’s about 20 miles on a state highway, then another couple miles on county roads (paved and gravel) to get from the lumber yard to my house.

I have given some thought to air bags, I just haven’t decided which route to take though. My practical side wants to go with add-on bags. While “the kid inside” wants to go all out and build the truck with D-60’s, link suspension(front and rear), and heavy duty(think semi truck) air bags on all 4 corners.


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Like I always tell my wife, that's too heavy for you.......make 2 trips