Question about mounting things to the bed.

[Vegas_Sirk]

Hey guys,

I have been wanting to build my own bed slide using alum extrusions since I can't find anyone to make what I'm looking for. Ideally, my goal is to build a dual tray bed slide that will fit under my Retrax Pro bed cover that I can use to mount a fridge, and storage on one tray and stove & sink combo on the other.

I have the plans drafted up on paper, but my question is how would you mount the extrusions to the bed? Ideally I would like something quick release if I ever wanted to take them out. I was thinking about using Rivnuts (https://www.rivetnutusa.com/rivnut-rivet-nut/) but wasn't sure how that would be with the aluminum bed over time. Would the bed need additional bracing? Do I need to worry about corrosion or anything like that?

Thoughts?

 

[amREADY]

Hey guys,

I have been wanting to build my own bed slide using alum extrusions since I can't find anyone to make what I'm looking for. Ideally, my goal is to build a dual tray bed slide that will fit under my Retrax Pro bed cover that I can use to mount a fridge, and storage on one tray and stove & sink combo on the other.

I have the plans drafted up on paper, but my question is how would you mount the extrusions to the bed? Ideally I would like something quick release if I ever wanted to take them out. I was thinking about using Rivnuts (https://www.rivetnutusa.com/rivnut-rivet-nut/) but wasn't sure how that would be with the aluminum bed over time. Would the bed need additional bracing? Do I need to worry about corrosion or anything like that?

Thoughts?

If it was me, I would be sure to pick up the crossmembers and maybe even the frame with any bolting. I wouldn't rely on rivnuts in the bed material only.

 

[Vegas_Sirk]

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking something similar. It seems the actual bedslide has a bracket that uses the factor bed bolts which might not be a bad idea. The problem is I'm trying to keeps the slides to a minimum height-wise so not sure I can make that work.

 

[1BAD454SSv2]

Rivnuts work great , very strong if you install a back up washer under the bed and then compress it , definitely won't pull through , I used them on my Gen1 with out washer and they are very strong. I have my jack storage mount using them and some cleats for strapping down go boxes . it's nice to remove and have a flat surface still . I'm lucky to have access to a Speedair pnuematic Rivnut Tool Like $2500 that i can borrow from work . Makes installing them a 5 second job. https://www.grainger.com/product/SPEEDAIRE-Industrial-Duty-Air-Rivet-3CRH8

 

[911 Crazy]

Rivnuts work great , very strong if you install a back up washer under the bed and then compress it , definitely won't pull through , I used them on my Gen1 with out washer and they are very strong. I have my jack storage mount using them and some cleats for strapping down go boxes .its nice to remove and have a flat surface still . I'm lucky to have access to a Speedair pnuematic Rivnut Tool Like $2500 that i can borrow from work . Makes installing them a 5 second job. https://www.grainger.com/product/SPEEDAIRE-Industrial-Duty-Air-Rivet-3CRH8

That rivet tool looks like some NASCAR teams use.