My 08 F250 CC LB is now 6 months old.

It seems the bed is not a super duty as I thought. I hauled in a load of firewood and I have bent the bed side rails out about 3/4 inch ID. Right at the middle pockets.

Both sides seem to be out evenly. The inside upper bed lip is buckled.
The tail gate fits fine. The front bed rail looks straight.

I have read the rear of the bed sides will bend out without the tail gate. I read they straightened this with some ratchet straps and a tree.

Is there a way to do this with this problem?

It is important that I haul wood this way so I also need to know how to beef up this part of the bed. I am leaning toward adding some steel angle but I would like to get it straight first.

If anyone could let me know if I have any options. Thanks, Roy.

 

Can you post a Pic?...

 

I have some but I am not sure how to do that.

The thing seems to be trying to get better. The Drivers side is better this morning.

I will try to put them in my gallery.

Roy.

 

I believe I have some pictures in my gallery.

look in the reg cab stepside gallery.

Roy.

 

Put something heavy guage ,under the bed rail, so the hooks won't poke through ,,Pull it back with a come -along ...

May need a 1/4 inch thick bed rail protector ,to keep it from happening again ...

 

OK I'll give that a shot. Any guesses if I can buy a top rail cover that thick that would fit on as nice as the plastic covers?

Thanks for the input.
Roy.

 

Actually ,I meant 1/4 ,maybe 3/8 inch angle iron , bolted on ....

May be able to put the factory bed rail cover on top of it...

Worse case ,an aftermarket protector ...

 

Coming kind of clean.
I discovered part of the problem was how I had built my racks and how they were hitting the raised side of the bed / liner putting most of the force at the center pockets. learn as you go right? The bottom of the bed is bent between the supports so I stand by the fact the sheet metal is very weak. Be very careful if hauling any loads. I reinforced, put in some plywood for now, under the bed liner for extra support. I have not added anyting to the side rails yet but I think I am going with 1/4 angle and I'll grind it to match the bed, cut out the stake pockets and see if I can mount the plastic rails on top or coat them with bed liner stuff. l had and interesting time pulling the bed back together. I pulled out the bed liner and found the bottom damage, this made me much happier. I took off the bed rail caps. I lag bolted 2x4's through the bed rails ahead and behind the center pocket on each side. I put a block of wood insede the stake pocket, below the top of the rail. This is brilliant the hole in the pocket is smaller than the actual pocket so all the force is right on the upper lip of the bed rail, anyway. I used lag eye bolts in the 2x4's and center pocket block. I used 3 come alongs and about 3 days. The top of the rails were buckled on the inside so I did what I could with a hammer to straighten this as I went. I can still see a little bow but the lines of the top rails covers are straight. Still really like the truck, love the room, the ride and the power. I am glad gas is down under 2.00. It is a booger turning around out in the woods though, I went from a 4 point turn around to an 8 point. I don't mind it lets me play with the mirrors.
Roy.