I completed my last required project for the trip yesterday and it came out better than expected. In order to keep the generators and the two 5 gallon diesel can is carry from sliding around I built an aluminum angle ladder rack Hardware is 1/2" by 3/4" long hex bolts with washers and lock nuts. The 3" aluminum angle is 1/4 thick. I tried to find the next size thinner 3/16" but everyone was out of stock. I was lucky to find the 1/4" locally in the time I needed it or 1/8"
Frame start. I had measured the rear area of the bed from wheel well the tailgate and across. I tool into account the lower tie downs. This became the over all section. Once the outer frame was bolted together I did a test fit and discovered I had not see two small bump outs on the very inside of the wheel well so needed to trim the corners off.
Overall frame completed. The two outer compartments measure 21" long by 12" wide. I was careful the way I placed the angle to give even footing. It an optical illusion that the second compartment is smaller that the outside. The dimension I took from the generators and fuel cans. I also had an old wooden frame from my old truck to compare too.
A little closer view of the assembly.
I was concerned with the bolt heads wearing on my impact bed mat so I used double side mounting tape and attached a cork layer as protection and to help with any movement. Inside on the to inner areas where the nuts were protruding I cut some of those interlocking foam flooring squares to fit and cover them. That 'sthe fake wood looking stuff in the photo.
Rack completed and setting in the truck bed. I line the inside of the compartments with some spare bulb seal t keep the metal from chafing the generators or fuel cans. The foam flooring tile covers any bolt heads. There is about 1/2" of clearance from the frame to any truck bed edge. the 3 in gap at the sides allows me to reach my DC_DC connection and the lower tie down points. There is also enough room under the center partitions to slide tie down strapping in place if needed.
Keith
Frame start. I had measured the rear area of the bed from wheel well the tailgate and across. I tool into account the lower tie downs. This became the over all section. Once the outer frame was bolted together I did a test fit and discovered I had not see two small bump outs on the very inside of the wheel well so needed to trim the corners off.
Overall frame completed. The two outer compartments measure 21" long by 12" wide. I was careful the way I placed the angle to give even footing. It an optical illusion that the second compartment is smaller that the outside. The dimension I took from the generators and fuel cans. I also had an old wooden frame from my old truck to compare too.
A little closer view of the assembly.
I was concerned with the bolt heads wearing on my impact bed mat so I used double side mounting tape and attached a cork layer as protection and to help with any movement. Inside on the to inner areas where the nuts were protruding I cut some of those interlocking foam flooring squares to fit and cover them. That 'sthe fake wood looking stuff in the photo.
Rack completed and setting in the truck bed. I line the inside of the compartments with some spare bulb seal t keep the metal from chafing the generators or fuel cans. The foam flooring tile covers any bolt heads. There is about 1/2" of clearance from the frame to any truck bed edge. the 3 in gap at the sides allows me to reach my DC_DC connection and the lower tie down points. There is also enough room under the center partitions to slide tie down strapping in place if needed.
Keith
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