Predator Truck Bed Setup

losthelegend

losthelegend

New member
I am looking at upgrading the bed of my truck to be more effective for the upcoming coyote season. I have a topper and a 6' bed. I am looking at adding a truck vault but am curious what every one else is using. I am also looking at any and all ideas so that I can design something that will work for me. Any pics or ideas are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
I put a DECKED in mine and really like it I lay my bedding on top and sleep right there. it has two full length drawers and can hold 1000lbs. and it has side pockets in all 4 corners.I have a shell also my tailgate locks so I did not need the way expensive truck vault.
 
I use a Truck Vault in combination with a Diamondback Truck Bed Cover. They are now installed on Pick-Up #3.

The only complaint I have is that I have not been able to seal up the Ford (the two previous GMs were not any better) PU tail gate to eliminate the dust from entering into the area under the Diamondback Truck Cover. The Truck Vault seals up really well.

This combination of equipment along with the locking tail gate gives me a good (maybe false, LOL) sense of security.
 
Quote:The only complaint I have is that I have not been able to seal up the Ford (the two previous GMs were not any better) PU tail gate to eliminate the dust from entering into the area under the Diamondback Truck Cover.

I (mostly) sealed the tailgate on my 03 Z71 equipped w/Rhino cover using weather stripping, BUT finally found that outside air/dust was entering through corrugations at the very front of bed floor. These corrugations are engineered to drain water from (uncovered) bed. I caulked them up w/silicon caulk and got rid of most (not all) dust. Not sure about Ford, but you might look in that area.

ETA: Only downside to this solution is that you have to park on incline if you want to hose out the bed.

Regards,
hm
 
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I have not seen the Decked line before. Do they fit scoped firearms or do you have to mount something on top to accommodate for them? Thanks for all of the replies.
 
Originally Posted By: hm1996
I (mostly) sealed the tailgate on my 03 Z71 equipped w/Rhino cover using weather stripping, BUT finally found that outside air/dust was entering through corrugations at the very front of bed floor. These corrugations are engineered to drain water from (uncovered) bed. I caulked them up w/silicon caulk and got rid of most (not all) dust. Not sure about Ford, but you might look in that area.

ETA: Only downside to this solution is that you have to park on incline if you want to hose out the bed.

Regards,
hm

That could be it! Front of Box? Inside? Outside?
 
Originally Posted By: DoubleCKOriginally Posted By: hm1996
I (mostly) sealed the tailgate on my 03 Z71 equipped w/Rhino cover using weather stripping, BUT finally found that outside air/dust was entering through corrugations at the very front of bed floor. These corrugations are engineered to drain water from (uncovered) bed. I caulked them up w/silicon caulk and got rid of most (not all) dust. Not sure about Ford, but you might look in that area.

ETA: Only downside to this solution is that you have to park on incline if you want to hose out the bed.

Regards,
hm


That could be it! Front of Box? Inside? Outside?


Inside the box @ front of floor decking. On level ground, the box tilts slightly to the front to allow any water collected in the open box to drain.

Regards,
hm
 
Originally Posted By: hm1996
Inside the box @ front of floor decking. On level ground, the box tilts slightly to the front to allow any water collected in the open box to drain.

Regards,
hm

Many Thanks. Sounds like a job for Gorilla Tape. At least to see if that helps.
 
If flooring is corrugated a caulking gun works great. Might be hard to get tape to lay down flat enough over corrugations??

ETA: I built wooden tool boxes full length of bed the width of wheel wells and almost full depth of the bed using metal truck flooring as bottom of box before I discovered that the corrugated ends were open. Quickly filled my tool boxes (and bed) with fine caliche dust from oilfield roads. Never could get the boxes sealed 100% but bed did pretty well. Couldn't get right angle on caulking gun inside the narrow box I guess but don't get much dust in there, just blow them out w/compressor once a year or so.

Inside the bed, I mounted a 12 volt 1.5 ton boat trailer winch on heavy angle iron across front of bed. Built a very shallow tray (open ended at back) w/two 3" rubber HD wheels at front corners and mounted a 1" solid steel roller, 3'long on very low pillow block bushings I made on lathe at rear end of truck bed. Front wheels are countersunk to provide 1" clearance w/floor in metal wheel wells. The 3/4" plywood tray has 1x3 frame full length on both sides and front end. Before I mounted a gin pole on truck to lift heavy critters, I would drag the tray out and use it for a ramp, then drag nilgai, etc. up the ramp, which would then roll on into truck with the critter. Worked pretty well, but not a lot of room for gas cans, etc. when you had a critter loaded up.

The tray rolls out, even with a heavy load for easy access to items in front of bed, just have to watch the center of gravity and not let it tip out.

Regards,
hm
 
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Definitely get the Truck Vault. Water proof, dust proof, theft proof, even fire proof to a degree. (catch that pun!) I went with the Magnum Series All-Weather Vault and have zero regrets! It's huge and fits all my gear...





 
Then when you're ready to get super-serious, add one of these ARB Fridge/Freezer combos with the MSA Drop-Slide to the deck of the Vault...
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i measured my bed, and made a box using plywood that fits between the wheel wells. It fits the largest tote from home depot.

I put all of the hunting gear, safety, and recovery gear in the tote, and put the tote in the box. i store it in my garage on a furniture dolly. It's got a coat of black marine paint to seal the wood.

I have a milk crate and pack that sit on top, and those things go in the truck with the rifle and shotgun, load the box in the back and I am off. As i have hunted and learned, i add the things i want to carry to the tote.

I carry the tote in the box to keep everything dry, and when i get more than one or two, i take the tote out, scoop some dirt into it, and stack the coyotes in the tote to keep the blood in the tote (the dirt soaks up the blood) then when i get home i only have to clean the tote and don't have blood running down the back of the truck.

It's sturdy enough to stand on for night hunting, and have a lazy Susan shooting seat. (it's a plywood frame on a spinning base that is fitted to allow me to lock in my hunting seat into it. There are extension arms that come out between my legs that i can put the shooting sticks into. This way at night, no matter what direction I just rotate and don't have to move my shooting sticks.
 
Originally Posted By: NGI_TOMThen when you're ready to get super-serious, add one of these ARB Fridge/Freezer combos with the MSA Drop-Slide to the deck of the Vault...
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I've been running that fridge for 7 years now, snagged one off the first pallet of them to arrive in Utah (buddy is an ARB dealer). Been meaning to build a drop-slide for it ever since, but have not got around to it yet!

Going to make mine double decked, so either stove or table top slides out from under the fridge. And need to cage the fridge for stacking gear on top of it. Even had the 400 lb drawer slides sitting in my garage for a couple of years until a buddy convinced me he'd use them way before I did (he was right...).

Maybe this year I'll finally get around to building it
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. They sure are nice to have.

- DAA
 
Depends on what you're looking to do with it I guess. I have a buddy that has a LEER LOCKER, overhead storage in his truck. Pulls back and drops down. Awesome setup if it is enough room for what you need, and still gives you the truck bed for whatever else you want to use it for.
 


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