snowranger
sf
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Joined: 04/12/2007
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silversand wrote:...I hope you don't mind, I've added my thoughts to your photo as annotations:
I appears to me that you have a disproportionate load sitting on too little bed real estate?
If this proves to be the case, spreading the load out using a bed mat would be crucial to solving it. Additionally, I think that those stress fractures need to be reinforced somehow...
Good luck,
Silver-
Thanks for the markup. What kind of reinforcement would work though? Any welders out there?
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Jeff3161
Pasco,Washington
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Joined: 10/29/2003
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Gone are the days of GOOD American sheetmetal.
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TonysDodge
AZ
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Before welding it, I'd get a bed mat and maybe some plywood, like someone else had mentioned. See if it gets worse. If it doesn't get worse, then I'd weld it and use the mat+plywood. It may be that the bed is just a little higher in that area.
Tony
2006 Dodge 3500 QC LB DRW CTD
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snowranger
sf
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TonysDodge wrote:Before welding it, I'd get a bed mat and maybe some plywood, like someone else had mentioned. See if it gets worse. If it doesn't get worse, then I'd weld it and use the mat+plywood. It may be that the bed is just a little higher in that area.
Tony
What if it gets worse?
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JoeChiOhki
Keizer, Oregon
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Then you need to build a platform that fills in the recesses between the raised areas of the bed so that ALL of the bed is bearing load instead of just a few corners.
If that doesn't fix it, you may need to lift the bed and build a tube frame to reinforce the underside of the truck bed where the load is distorting it.
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snowranger
sf
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Okay, thanks for the plan B. I may have to gain some metal working skills.
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TonysDodge
AZ
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snowranger wrote:I may have to gain some metal working skills.
That's the fun part!
Keep us up to date on your progress.
Tony
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nwcamperguy
Washington
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After reading this forum, I went out and found a weak spot in my truck as well. I immediatly went to my local farm store and bought a horse stall mat. Very thick and fairly inexpensive. Hope it helps. Thanks guys.
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trails2004
Wyoming
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Joined: 07/19/2007
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Add some horizontal 2x12's to bottom of your camper- to help distribute the weight AND provide a stable and flat base
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silversand
Montreal
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Snow:
A quick question: does your camper have a rail or edging fastened around the entire perimeter of your camper tub edge, that protrudes down below the flat camper underbelly?
S-
Silver
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4 6.0L Ext/LB Tow Package 4L80E Michelin AT2s| Outfitter Caribou
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