Bolt Through Mount - Tacoma DCSB Composite Bed

[ekibike]

First, thank you all for creating such a great community! I've been reviewing posts for about a year as my wife and I researched our first camper and this community has provided a wealth of information.

We are looking at a used FWC that is designed to bolt directly to the truck bed. Since we have a 2014 Tacoma with a composite bed, we know that we cannot bolt to the bed in the traditional manner.

Now, my questions:

1. Can we mount the camper to the truck using a backing plate to spread the load?
2. Should this be considered a temporary solution and can we trust it to get us from Denver to Houston on the highway?
3. If temporary, what are your thoughts about these, known to work, solutions:
   • Welded/bolted mounting brackets to the truck frame (such as these or these)?
   • Torklift mounts in the front and bolt-through backing plates in the rear?
   • Torklift all around?
   • Others I haven't mentioned?

Thanks for any thoughts and advice you have. See you out there!!

~Zach and Robin

 

[MidAtlantic]

My wife and I bought a 2014 Tacoma and put a brand new ATC Bobcat on it in April. Like you, I found WTW an invaluable resource before and after the purchase.

To answer you question, ATC used four eyebolts with backing plates to secure the camper directly to the composite bed. So far, so good, even after a few pretty rough roads - but only a couple of 2-week trips so far and I haven't had the camper off or given the bed a really good eyeball yet.

I would advise contacting the factory and getting their take to put your mind at ease. It is a bit disconcerting to see holes drilled in your nice new bed, I can tell you.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[ekibike]

Thanks for the quick response and the info about your mounting setup.Glad to hear it works!

We've been trying to figure out the best backing plate option/material. What did ATC use? Do you have a picture?

We're considering the following. Any thoughts?

 

[MidAtlantic]

The plate in the option D photo looks like the same size (area) and gauge (thickness). The other stuff looks heavier. The plate only had a hole big enough for the eyebolt, which was about 12 mm (if memory serves me right). I don't think I took any pictures. The problem is the rig is in Colorado Springs and I'm in the UK. otherwise I'd run out and take some for you!

One thing I remember being told - only tighten the turnbuckles by hand, because otherwise you can do some damage. And keep checking them.

You know what- why not just email Jay Aronow? He actually did the installation for us in Phoenix.
http://www.jayaronowcampersales.com/Contact_Us.html

 

[ekibike]

You know what- why not just email Jay Aronow?

Brilliant idea!

Thanks for the additional info about your brackets. Glad we've found something that is close to the same and readily available. As for checking, I am sure I will develop a nice set of OCD protocols right-quick.

Hope you're enjoying the UK! We're driving through the Springs next week - I'll wave at your truck for you.

 

[Bill D]

One thing I remember being told - only tighten the turnbuckles by hand, because otherwise you can do some damage. And keep checking them.

Agreed. There is zero benefit to tightening the turnbuckles any tighter than they need to be to keep them from backing off. Anything more does more harm than good. Gravity is what holds the camper down not the turnbuckles. The turn buckles are to keep the camper from sliding out of the box or bouncing upwards.