How much load can the tie downs handle

[DHMag]

An alternative, albeit more permanent, would be to fab a plate and brackets to mount through the bed and into the frame near the bulkhead and mount the winch to that. Kind of like a gooseneck hitch. Remove the tailgate, use adequate ramps resting on the bumper, and just winch it up.

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[Rick - Saber]

I had the wacky idea of placing a strong bar or 4x4? post wider than the truck across the top of the bed by the cab. Use that as the mount point for the ATV winch. Connect the ends of the beam to the tow hooks up front with tow straps or something.

The downside is keeping the straps off the body of the truck. Towels or something might keep the straps from rubbing. I am not sure how to keep the straps from compressing the front body of the truck as the ATV puts a load on them. Maybe someone else can sort that out.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

That would be my concern--I'm not sure if there's anything substantive in there. Maybe something secured at multiple points along the upper rail?

The upper rail of the bulkhead, or the upper rail of the side walls? If anything I would stick as low and close to the bed floor as you can. That would make it easier to better distribute that load into the bed floor.

And I guess in my mind the backing plate would be huge, like 12" x 12" or something crazy like that, in order to really distribute that load and lower the psi on the bulkhead. And again, if you put it low down near the floor, it'll dump all that load, or at least a lot of it, into the floor and put the floor into compression, which would be able to take a lot given the ribbing and everything there is through there. Plus the sub-frame that it is attached to.

 

[PltFX4]

While we're on the subject of tie-downs... How many have you got?? Photo by OP shows 6.
A survey of my local Ford dealer's Ranges (9 in all) showed only one with 6, the rest had 4 (like my '19 Lariat). Wondering if it is "package" thing.

 

[VAMike]

While we're on the subject of tie-downs... How many have you got?? Photo by OP shows 6.
A survey of my local Ford dealer's Ranges (9 in all) showed only one with 6, the rest had 4 (like my '19 Lariat). Wondering if it is "package" thing.

Ford made a change and all rangers built after a certain date only have 4.

 

[HenryMac]

661 lbs.
From the Owners Manual:
Note: Exceeding the maximum load rating of the load retaining fixtures may lead to vehicle damage.
Note: The number of tie down points may vary depending on your vehicle model.
E131643
Load Rating of the Tie Down Points: 661 lb

The manual also states not to use the tie down hooks for towing... which is basically the loading the OP is talking about.

No way I would use the stock tie down brackets.

If I were wanting to pull something into the truck I'd build a structure that has a header that goes across the front of the truck bed, with (2) side beams that run back and bear against the rear bed uprights. It could be made out of wood.

Straps attach to the side beams, not the front header. The beams need to be securely attached to the rear bed uprights. The beams need to be securely attached to the front header. Also, the front needs to be attached loosely to the front tie down hooks to prevent the assembly from trying to lift up or pull down during the winching operation.

 

[acsnowrider]

Ford made a change and all rangers built after a certain date only have 4.

So that's what Ford says!!!! I ordered the "missing" tie downs today

 

[9zero1790]

I would suggest making it a bridle style pull. that way you can split the stress on two tie downs and reduce the risk of damage. Toss a as couple of rings on the setup with a snatch block and you would be more than safely able to pull the toy in the truck bed. I would not try ridding her up the tail gate... few years back a buddy of mine bought a large gun safe. the company wanted to0 much to deliver so we decided to bubba up and do it. put the safe in the back of my 05 ranger. squatted it down to the stops lol. but worked fine until trying slide the safe out of the bed. as soon as the majority of the weight ( 690 pounds) was on the tail gate the safe and gravity had there way with the poor tail gate... ended up replacing the mounts and hard ware and having body work on the sheet metal.
i would remove the tail gate and put the ramps on the bed floor. much stronger option. you could also back up to a curb giving you a less steep pull.

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