How to store stuff in bed - thoughts

[Zanardi]

I worry about the ratcheting cargo bars because they need pressure to work well. That's a lot of outward pressure on the bed walls and seems like a good way to bend up your bed, no?

I considered that same thing. The amount of pressure needed however can be controlled with the ratchet. I have it set rather light since the bar is just blocking a plastic tote that is empty or close to it most of the time. If the bar was to fall off no harm done.

The bed is also double walled so the inside surface is not the same as the outside cosmetic surface. I imagine if you were counting on the bar to hold back a heavy load and cranked on it you could definitely bend metal. From my limited experience (this is my first truck and first bar) and how the bar and ratchet felt installing it however you would really have to crank on it. A reasonable person would probably know they were over doing it long before the sheet metal wall of the bed buckled under pressure. I think these trucks beds are fairly tough. They're designed to work hard.

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[Rene Michaels]

I considered that same thing. The amount of pressure needed however can be controlled with the ratchet. I have it set rather light since the bar is just blocking a plastic tote that is empty or close to it most of the time. If the bar was to fall off no harm done.

The bed is also double walled so the inside surface is not the same as the outside cosmetic surface. I imagine if you were counting on the bar to hold back a heavy load and cranked on it you could definitely bend metal. From my limited experience (this is my first truck and first bar) and how the bar and ratchet felt installing it however you would really have to crank on it. A reasonable person would probably know they were over doing it long before the sheet metal wall of the bed buckled under pressure. I think these trucks beds are fairly tough. They're designed to work hard.

Agree, but the first time I used one I had to crank it down enough to keep it from slipping on the bed walls. I don't know, maybe I have a crappy one. But as you crank down on the ratchet and see the inside walls move, it's a bit concerning

 

[Deleted member 1634]

Love this idea if they would just make it for the Ranger. Actually the price is really good when you consider a similar sized case from Pelican is twice that. I have this case https://www.amazon.com/Pelican-1740-Case-Foam-Black/dp/B0031R6FC6/ref=sr_1_40?keywords=pelican+case&qid=1580577409&refinements=p_72:2661618011&rnid=2661617011&sr=8-40 and am trying to come up with a way to secure it in the bed.

It should work fine for the Ranger, even a short bed one. It's 55" long, which is shorter than the 60" bed length. Makes it kind of tight, sure, but should technically fit. I plan on getting one once I get my topper put on.

 

[Rene Michaels]

It should work fine for the Ranger, even a short bed one. It's 55" long, which is shorter than the 60" bed length. Makes it kind of tight, sure, but should technically fit. I plan on getting one once I get my topper put on.

I'm not sure it's a size issue. According to the MFGs website https://www.du-ha.com/humpstor.html the brackets will NOT work in truck beds that do not have an inside lip on the truck bed rail. The Ranger has one, but it's pretty small and I have a Retrax Prp XR on it now. ...I watched their install video on this page https://realtruck.com/p/du-ha-humpstor/v/ford/ranger/2019/ and I just don't think the brackets for the Humpster will fit. Also, DU-HA does not list one for available for the Ranger.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

I'm not sure it's a size issue. According to the MFGs website https://www.du-ha.com/humpstor.html the brackets will NOT work in truck beds that do not have an inside lip on the truck bed rail. The Ranger has one, but it's pretty small and I have a Retrax Prp XR on it now. ...I watched their install video on this page https://realtruck.com/p/du-ha-humpstor/v/ford/ranger/2019/ and I just don't think the brackets for the Humpster will fit. Also, DU-HA does not list one for available for the Ranger.

Hmm, interesting. I do know that the lip is a little small from installing my own tonneau. But I also have a bed bag that hangs from the bed rails as well, and has a bunch of weight in it, and hasn't ever budged or slipped off. But good to know, I guess I'll look into it a bit more and see what I find.

 

[Onlyone]

Which bed rug do you have?

The Bedrug XLT

 

[Rene Michaels]

The Bedrug XLT

Does it actually cover the areas in front of the wheel wells nearest the cab or is it cut straight there? The photos of it look like it does, but a saw a review that said it didn't. Just curious if maybe Bedrug changed that on the newer version?

 

[Onlyone]

Does it actually cover the areas in front of the wheel wells nearest the cab or is it cut straight there? The photos of it look like it does, but a saw a review that said it didn't. Just curious if maybe Bedrug changed that on the newer version?

Well here’s a picture of mine when I installed it. Without going outside it looks like it’s cut straight. Which is fine because there isn’t much room up there to cover.

 

[Rene Michaels]

Well here’s a picture of mine when I installed it. Without going outside it looks like it’s cut straight. Which is fine because there isn’t much room up there to cover.

Thanks! I know there isn't a lot of space there, but I'm finicky that way I do like the fact that it's 3/4" thick and that's what I want for these old knees.

 

[ldr01rl]

Any container that is securable and keeps your bed open as much as possible is a good thing. The Decked system is cool. It takes some tweaking to use soft or hard bags or cases in the drawers. My dilemma is getting my tools to fit. But once that is accomplished locking the tailgate ensures security.

 

[PNW_Ranger87]

I'm also planning on picking up one of these to have more options for securing the totes with bungees and ratchet straps.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Keeper-Ratcheting-Cargo-Bar-47059/207097432

 

[Deleted member 1634]

I'm not sure it's a size issue. According to the MFGs website https://www.du-ha.com/humpstor.html the brackets will NOT work in truck beds that do not have an inside lip on the truck bed rail. The Ranger has one, but it's pretty small and I have a Retrax Prp XR on it now. ...I watched their install video on this page https://realtruck.com/p/du-ha-humpstor/v/ford/ranger/2019/ and I just don't think the brackets for the Humpster will fit. Also, DU-HA does not list one for available for the Ranger.

Hmm, interesting. I do know that the lip is a little small from installing my own tonneau. But I also have a bed bag that hangs from the bed rails as well, and has a bunch of weight in it, and hasn't ever budged or slipped off. But good to know, I guess I'll look into it a bit more and see what I find.

I just watched the install video and it doesn't seem that much of an issue in my opinion. My concern was the overturning moment put on the clamp brackets by it being only attached to one side, but the stabilizing pads that push against the bed wall alleviate all of that. The footprint of the clamp doesn't look that big in the first place, so having more rail lip height won't really do anything since the clamp won't grab that extra height anyways. It may not work for certain covers which take up a lot of the rail lip height, of which yours may be one. But I'm thinking it should work pretty well with a topper, which is the route I plan on going now. That being said, I won't order one until I see what the topper interface gives me to work with.

 

[chasvs]

I worry about the ratcheting cargo bars because they need pressure to work well. That's a lot of outward pressure on the bed walls and seems like a good way to bend up your bed, no?

Doesn't take much pressure at all if you place the ends right. Put them between the ridged areas and they will stay in place with moderate pressure on the bed walls.

 

[chasvs]

I use one of these on the Driver side of my Ranger. They have them for Both sides. Pivots out to the tailgate for easy access, locks and can be quickly removed when needed!

 

[Ron Heritage]

Any container that is securable and keeps your bed open as much as possible is a good thing. The Decked system is cool. It takes some tweaking to use soft or hard bags or cases in the drawers. My dilemma is getting my tools to fit. But once that is accomplished locking the tailgate ensures security.

Great part about this setup is when your buddy's come asking for help to move thier couch you say "sorry buds, all full back there!"

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