When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
A nylon strap is not going to stop flexing like that. It will stretch. Chain maybe, if you can cinch it up.
Yeah - like a turnbuckle to tighten it down, but the idea still seems kinda sketch. I've always had this idea in my head to put attachment points where the bed mounts and then use cable to evenly tie the top of the crane down to the 4 mounting points, but I'm not sure that is practical.
I put an auto crane in my work truck. We did pull the bed and installed 3/4" thick flat strap across the frame and made brackets with gussets that attach to the rear frame and also to where the factory gooseneck/fifth wheel hitch mounts. The crane is mounted through the bed but the bed is not touching the mounts. It was a lot of work especially with the outriggers. But any other way causes the bed to flex which will pull out the rivets and adhesive. You probably could get creative and make a mount that attaches to the gooseneck and chain points.
Something to keep in mind with the newer beds. during my first few variations I bent the bed some. Not a big problem, just pushed it back from the opposite side.
The aluminum tends to tear or break before bending.
Have you seen the video of the Super Duty at the body shop where they tear pieces of the bed off?