Bed tie-downs question.
 

The tie-points in the bed of the base model are down low, which may be OK for some things It is lousy for getting a tarp across a load of mulch or other such material, you have to dig down to find the tie point. Higher points would be better, and there are a couple places where they may be mountable.

There is zip in the manual about it, other than that the tie-points may vary for different models.

I assume the various extra holes are different positions for the tie-points, but I do not know that. And the existing tie-points do not appear to fit in every position, there is a long one in front, but a shorter one in back, although the alternate positions seem to take the long type.

I am getting the bed lined in a couple weeks (Line-X), and I may want to position some more tie-points in the optional places, since I do not thik they will mount well once the liner is sprayed-in, and I don't want to leave them bare.

It looks like another of the same type can mount above the front one, the rear one seems to have another low position, and then there are three holes on the "corner post" at the tailgate that I am not at all sure about

I assume the tie-points are obtainable so that added ones can be mounted. Anyone know the deal with these?

Attachment 216928

Attachment 216929

Attachment 216930

I'm guessing here.

The 3 holes in the back by the tailgate are for the bed extender
The 2 holes in the front are for the tonneau cover

The rest are probably for other options

Hmm. Then Chevy has a lot more sense about tie-downs, because on the old S10 they are up under the edge of the bed at the front and rear corners, where you can get at them with a load in the back. I've used those a lot for securing a tarp, cargo net, etc over loads. Nothing like that in the Ranger.

I guess there is some point to them being low if you consider a piece of equipment in the back to be literally tied down as you would on a flat bed trailer, but for securing a tarp over a loose load, etc, those are way less than optimal.

I'd have to measure, but it looks like the front two are just right for moving the tie-loop up. If so, I'll do it. And the ones just aft of the wheel well, with the pocket behind them, look right for the short version of the tie-loop, not that I'd want to put one way down there.

I got a set of these, They work well.

Most likely they do. But the Ranger does not have stake pockets.......

You can use Canopy "C-clamps" like these: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....lL._SX466_.jpg

You can either tie directly to these or have them holding down a full length bed rail with tie downs or just a plate with eye bolt or ??, that sticks out away from the bed and/or farther back or forward of the bed

Yeah, I've used those that way. And I'll have them because I am getting a Leer 180 cap for it, and will only need tarp tie downs when the cap is off. The rail tops have a plastic cover, not sure how that affects the grip of the clamps. I'm told that once off, the rail covers never go back on quite right, so I'd not like to take them off. Most new P/U seem to have the covers, so there probably is, or will be, a workable solution soon.

Mostly the question was with regard to getting anything needed to improve the tie-downs dealt with before the spray-in lining is done.

It won't effect the grip of the clamps, but I would make a plate or ?? for the top side to go under the clamp so plastic cover is not marked up using them

I have a bed liner that I leave in all the time, I cut holes in it for the clamps, I use them with canopy on of course, lol, but also as tie downs with canopy off

I have 2 of these: https://www.garagedoorstuff.com/wp-c...ANGLE-IRON.jpg

cut to length, that I use to bungy or tie down tarps, held by the c-clamps, I am cheap
I wouldn't tie off a refrigerator or anything heavy with these, lol, but for a tarp they work great

Wanted to tie down a load of brush and some bigger logs today.... went to use the tiedowns, and the some-beeches were way down under the load. First time of needing to get at them for a "normal" tiedown situation, and it kinda sucked.

What the heck were Ford thinking? I can move the two front ones up, I think, but the ones by the tailgate are a problem.

The price of a set of bed tiedowns is outrageous. Best I've seen for a pair is $90.