James T Kirk
Advanced Member
I'd like to use this thread to document my progress in setting up and modifying a '16 Bobcat. I'd also like to address some topics that I couldn't find good descriptions of while searching. Should have named my previous thread, Wiring '16 Bobcat '17 Tacoma, differently to include those posts here but, oh well....
The composite bed on a Tacoma
I was curious how the ATC is tied down securely within this type of bed. I discovered the bed bars offered by FWC. I was concerned about the fact that the camper would sitting on top of those two bars. Of course, you could place rubber matting around the bars to fill in the gap. I spoke with the crew at ATC and they informed me of how they deal with composite bed. So I followed their advice and had some tie down plates fabricated. The plate thickness is 3/16 steel. Cost me $130.
The front plates tie-in with the front bed bolts.The rear bed bolts aren't in a good position to be utilized. So the rear plates act as a giant washer, spanning two ridges underneath the bed. I tried to place the tie down points around 6" forward and behind of the eye-bolts on the camper.
To get the bed bolts out you'll need a Torx bit size 55. I thought I would need to break out my impact driver, but a breaker bar worked easily enough.
Initially I planned to just have a hole on the vertical end of the plate for the turnbuckle. But then, I found if I put an eyebolt there it would be a easier tie down point for the turnbuckle.
For the rear bolts, I needed to drill a hole in the bed that would be in a good position for both the 6" span and the ridges under the bed. There was also an obstruction under there so I had to choose a spot that was a little closer to the camper eye-bolts.
Finished product.
I'm thinking now that I should have created another plate on top of the bed for the rear bolts. One that covers those two ridges and spreads out the tension...
Next Up:
I need to install a Propex HS2000 heater which should be showing up in a couple days, then I'll get the Bobcat on the truck to see how well these work....Kirk Out
The composite bed on a Tacoma
I was curious how the ATC is tied down securely within this type of bed. I discovered the bed bars offered by FWC. I was concerned about the fact that the camper would sitting on top of those two bars. Of course, you could place rubber matting around the bars to fill in the gap. I spoke with the crew at ATC and they informed me of how they deal with composite bed. So I followed their advice and had some tie down plates fabricated. The plate thickness is 3/16 steel. Cost me $130.
The front plates tie-in with the front bed bolts.The rear bed bolts aren't in a good position to be utilized. So the rear plates act as a giant washer, spanning two ridges underneath the bed. I tried to place the tie down points around 6" forward and behind of the eye-bolts on the camper.
To get the bed bolts out you'll need a Torx bit size 55. I thought I would need to break out my impact driver, but a breaker bar worked easily enough.
Initially I planned to just have a hole on the vertical end of the plate for the turnbuckle. But then, I found if I put an eyebolt there it would be a easier tie down point for the turnbuckle.
For the rear bolts, I needed to drill a hole in the bed that would be in a good position for both the 6" span and the ridges under the bed. There was also an obstruction under there so I had to choose a spot that was a little closer to the camper eye-bolts.
Finished product.
I'm thinking now that I should have created another plate on top of the bed for the rear bolts. One that covers those two ridges and spreads out the tension...
Next Up:
I need to install a Propex HS2000 heater which should be showing up in a couple days, then I'll get the Bobcat on the truck to see how well these work....Kirk Out