just got my f250. the tailgate latch on the bed is messed and the tailgate is trashed as well. i was just going to get one of those cheapo nets since and aftermarket tailgate still needs something to latch on to.

who's used the nets and any brand recomendations? some have solid outer frames and some don't. pros/cons?
seems like a solid outer would hold up better, but also get in the way if i want to load something. as opposed to just collapsing the top and letting the net fall, i'd have to remove the entire setup since i wouldn't really want to step on the framed net.

i'm not looking to start a mpg argument, just wondering about brands/features of different nets.

 

If you could get a real tailgate it would be better, The nets blow in the wind & they are really hard on the bed sides (shake them)

 

yea i thought the same. on top of being expensive, i think my bed sides/mounts are bent and trashed.

 

A friend of mine bought a truck without a tailgate once (in this case, a Dodge, but I'm guessing that other trucks would act the same way). He put a net on the thing, since he planned on using it mainly as a commuter and was'nt going to haul anything with it regularly. Over time the net would get loosened up on one side or the other, so he'd realign it and tighten it back down again, thinking if he did'nt he'd end up with the net alongside the highway somewhere. Eventually it got to the point that it would'nt tighten anymore, because the bed sides had flexed so far out of line that it was impossible to get the thing tighter. He found a tailgate then, but the damage was done by that point. As soon as he'd lower the tailgate, the bed sides would splay outwards. This happened over about a seven year period, but you get the idea.

My opinion: a tailgate is probably best, and they can be had. Just depends on what you are willing to spend for one as far as dents, colour, etc. If you decide to go with a net, though, I'd say it might be a good idea to put a bar across the top of the bed (in the stake pockets, for example) to tie the open end of the truck box together. That would surely help lessen the bed flexing.

 

yea i thought about the bar idea. maybe a net with a bar across the top....some rubber pads on the bottom of it so it doesn't rattle a ton

 

Another choice is to buy one of those "flow thru" tailgates. The come black, are not all metal and simply replace the original tailgate. I got one to use to pull my 5th wheel as mine has the V or U shape. They do come regular tho. I know JC Whitney has 'em. Got mine from Camping World.

 

i'd vote for a flow thru steel gate. It might run closer to $400, but it will not damage the bed as badly as the netting.

 

again, my mounting stuff is all shot and bent so anything that mounts on them is out. anyone got some input on types of nets?

edit: i don't want to spend more than $50 or so. anything solid is $200+

 

i vote for fixing the latches... then getting a tailgate... take the cheap way out of things early means you'll take the expensive way back in later down the road....