I am outfitting a new 2019 f450 with a Companion base for factory installed pucks. I also want to protect the entire bed with a rubber mat of 1/2". Can't find a mat with precut puck and gooseneck holes. Has anyone done this install? If so, cut out of just the holes or cut a larger rectangle the size of the entire base, or, ???

 

(protect the truck bed) - do you also tuck it in at night?

 

I'd just get the bed Rhino lined, but that's me. (I did mine)

 

Here is mine with a Bedrug. Only cut out the puck holes as I will probably never use the Gooseneck and can cut it out if I ever do.
Of course the Bedrug foam will be much easier to cut than rubber mat, but you get the idea.

 

I made a rectangular cut (with rounded corners) for the two sides of the hitch for the puck connection. The mat under the hitch between the two cutout areas is still intact.

 

yes, with it's own binky and thermal blankie!

 

[QUOTE=lariatbob;18398101]Here is mine with a Bedrug. Only cut out the puck holes as I will probably never use the Gooseneck and can cut it out if I ever do.
Of course the Bedrug foam will be much easier to cut than rubber mat, but you get the idea.[/QUOTe
thanks @lariatbob and others foryour insight, I wasn't sure if the companion rails would bottom out on the rubber and interfere with a solid metal to metal torque downat the four attachment puck posts.

 

just the holes.. I used a hole saw on my drill to cut them and some extra trimming





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OK, I see what you did on the doughnut cuts, looks nice. But, when I put my companion into the pucks without any mat, the clearance between the metal bed and the Companion was less than 1/4" at all places other than where the puck holes are. My concern was that while the pucks may be fully engaged, the Companion base is resting on the rubber mat and prohibiting metal to metal torque due to the metal resting on the rubber. Maybe that is an OK thing though. Any concerns that this could give an unstable connection when torqued to 80#?

 

The metal pads on the B&W hitch are touching the metal sockets of the hitch locations.

 

What do you torque to 80#? Bought my hitch at the RV dealer and they installed it.

 

the 4 bolts on each side that hold the arms for the head to the base.

see the documents here https://www.bwtrailerhitches.com/pro...ion-ford-pucks

 

without any mat, the base ONLY touches the 4 puck positions.. so the rest of the bed adds nothing.. in the gooseneck type attachment the bed surface matters..

only the arms are torqued to 80 ft/lbs that isn't affected by anything else.. this base is REALLY strong

 

Thanks, I'll check them before I tow again.