Transport in Tacoma without bed bars?

[badtoytrd]

Has anyone ever transported a FWC (Fleet) without the bed bars. I am potentially buying a FWC and would need to transport approx 250 miles and was wondering what the feasibility of getting it how would be. Thanks for any help you guys can provide!

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I believe a few people have used ratcheting straps from the jack mounts to the truck frame, but you would need to be careful not to let the straps fray, and to avoid rough roads. Personally, I'd be safe and talk to ATC or a FWC dealer and get the eye bolts and turnbuckles. Is the seller keeping the existing tie downs? If you know where to place them in your truck bed, you'll could do it yourself.

Another option is to bring it home on a trailer, using straps.

 

[todgru]

When I purchased my 1989 Fleet, I did not have the bed bars (or airbags) on my 2014 Tacoma.

I used two ratcheting straps up front - connecting from the camper tie down points, over the front of the bed down to the frame. This helped keep the front of the camper down and forward.

In the rear, we were able to use the camper tie down points and the stock bed tie down points to connect the turnbuckles.

I kept the speed around 55-60 mph. I stopped every so often to check everything.

We drove 255 miles from Anacortes WA to Portland, OR.

 

[badtoytrd]

Thanks for the input. Saw the Anacortes to Portland and boy do you make me miss the PNW.

 

[badtoytrd]

Thanks for the help. I picked up my "new" 2011 Fleet yesterday and made it back to its storage garage for the winter. Just used ratchet straps to the frame and took it nice and easy.

 

[todgru]

Great to hear! Congrats on the new Fleet!