2x6x55” boards don’t fit in bed sockets

[DougS2K]

The tailgate when set at the higher position is level with the top of the wheelwells, but I measure 6-1/2" from the top of my rubber bed mat to that level, so a custom cut 2x8 will be needed.

HRG

Thanks for this. So either a 2x8 ripped down to 6 1/2 or a 2x6 or less would work without issue. Might just grab a 2x6x10 and cut it to size for the two positions in your photos.

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[3D Pro]

If you have a hard folding tonneau cover, the dimensions won't work because of the tonneau cover rails. I found this out the hard way.

I had the same problem with my hard cover and solved it like this:
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/spring-loaded-flex-bed-divider.53640/

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Thanks for this. So either a 2x8 ripped down to 6 1/2 or a 2x6 or less would work without issue. Might just grab a 2x6x10 and cut it to size for the two positions in your photos.

FWIW, if you decide to angle cut the wheelwell support ends, it's not a 45 degree cut,,,,,

HRG

 

[BretMaverick]

To make the boards lighter in weight, take a hole cutter and cut holes in the boards. It will lessen the weight and make it easier to install them

 

[DougS2K]

FWIW, if you decide to angle cut the wheelwell support ends, it's not a 45 degree cut,,,,,

HRG

Of course not, that would be too logical. Haha Thanks for the heads up and picture of the angle. Guaranteed I would have done a 45 if I had not seen this.

 

[DougS2K]

To make the boards lighter in weight, take a hole cutter and cut holes in the boards. It will lessen the weight and make it easier to install them

That's smart. I actually think I have some 1 1/2" PVC conduit kicking around. Might use two lengths of that with 2x6 end pieces to slot in. Would provide a lightweight yet strong divider.

 

[Gray Goose]

At least the boards were long and not short

 

[tired comet]

Umm, yeah, I think that's what they make tape measures for

 

[WJOHNM]

I don't know why people use 2x6 its heavy and hard to get out when room is needed, I used
3/4 x 12'' shelfing and added small pieces on ends to take up space in the bed slots so it don't move around, has worked fine for 3 years, can remove with one hand its just a divider, little flat black paint looks factory does the job fine.

 

[DougS2K]

I don't know why people use 2x6 its heavy and hard to get out when room is needed, I used
3/4 x 12'' shelfing and added small pieces on ends to take up space in the bed slots so it don't move around, has worked fine for 3 years, can remove with one hand its just a divider, little flat black paint looks factory does the job fine.

Simplicity I think. Buy one 2x6, cut it to length, boom you're done.

 

[JasonDroninAround]

Here is what I did to the bed of mine with a 4x8 sheet of plywood and two 2x6s.

I put the tailgate in the middle position, cut one of the 2x6s 46" to go over the wheel wells, and put the whole 4x8 sheet of plywood like you are supposed to. Then, I measured and cut the sheet of plywood to make a bigger piece that will barely fit in the bed with the tailgate closed. I cut the other 2x6 perfectly in half to brace both ends of the 4.5' and remaining 3.5' pieces of the plywood with deck screws. These horizontal braces are the only things screwed together out of all the pieces. The leftover piece of the 46" 2x6 happened to fit perfectly vertically as a brace with just a small notch for the middle horizontal brace. This all fits in the bed with the tailgate closed. To set it up, I just open the tailgate in the half way open position, pull the 4.5' part of the plywood out over the tailgate with the 2x6 under it just past the tailgate. The 3.5' part of the plywood stays against the cab. This makes a 7' platform, that is above the wheel wells to be the full 4' wide, for a place to set up my 4x7 normal tent.

I have not been camping again since I made this wood deck. I plan on making a full post about it when I settle of a storage solution. Right now it looks like I'm going to put the camping gear in two of those big black and yellow Costco totes. This leaves enough room at the tailgate for the light stuff like folding table and chairs. This wood tent deck will go on top of the totes and it all fits under the new tonneau cover. Here are some pictures of the finished wood deck (pre tonneau cover) and my tent that I slept in the first time w/o the wood deck.

I made this because even though sleeping right on the truck bed is 6' and technically long enough for me to sleep on, on an air mattress, inside a tent, my head touches the tent when I'm laying down. It is a 4x7 tent, and with this deck, the hope is that not scrunching it down to 4x6 will keep my head off the tent.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

@JasonDroninAround You lost me at the length of the 2nd piece of plywood. If you are ending-up at 7' OAL, with a 4-1/2' primary section, isn't the forward filler piece 2-1/2'?

HRG

 

[JasonDroninAround]

@JasonDroninAround You lost me at the length of the 2nd piece of plywood. If you are ending-up at 7' OAL, with a 4-1/2' primary section, isn't the forward filler piece 2-1/2'?

HRG

No. 4.5 + 3.5 = 8 they overlap by a foot when it's pulled out. The longer rear piece sits on top of the shorter front piece when you're going down the road and when it's set up.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

No. 4.5 + 3.5 = 8 they overlap by a foot when it's pulled out. The longer rear piece sits on top of the shorter front piece when you're going down the road and when it's set up.

Ahhh, gotcha!

HRG

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