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01:13:34 - 04/26/2024
General Dakota Board
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eddy
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2004
01:45:11
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 Subject: bed extender
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Message:
Well the only minor shortcoming of my Quad... the 5'3" bed, has been remedied, as I picked up a Westin bed extender form Pep Boys and installed it yesterday. I figured after having the wind blow a futon mattress out of the back of my Quad Cab at 55 mph after I thought I had it tied down securely, that Id feel safer with longer cargo secured by a bed extender rather than bunjee cords or tie-downs.
I even tried it out hauling a 6 foot couch. Boy was it nice not having to monkey around with tie down straps or glance nervously in my rear view mirror every couple minutes.
The only issue I have with it is it can only be installed into the brackets from a vertical position, which is very difficult if your cargo is too tall. No huge deal, I just slid the couch in over the top of the extender, but it would be even more convenient if you could slide that sucker on from the fully extended position after I've already slid your cargo in over the bed.
Anybody been able to modify theirs so this can be done? Are there any other brands that install like this?
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Mr.Sleepy
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2004
07:58:26
| RE: bed extender
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I don't believe attaching it from the fully extended position is possible. That would require there to be some sort of strain relief catch and during cargo carrying if some cargo were to push against it, there would be a danger of it coming off. The whole point of only being able to detach it from the folded in position is to prevent it from coming off during use. There is no answer to your problem other than not using it when your cargo is too big and simply rely on cargo straps.
The other solution to this problem is a Rhino Liner which will prevent cargo from slipping back during acceleration and grips very well on any material. This along with cargo straps works exteremly well.
If your hauling lots of cargo and for long distances nothing beats a Cap on your pickup. I have the rhino liner/cap combo on my 6.5 box and there isnt anything I couldn't haul yet.
You have to realize that with a quad cab you didn't exactly get a fully functioning pickup, you have a box that although isnt too much smaller, still isn't big enough. Dodge states that they had the weekend home improvement warrior in mind with that truck and it wasnt meant as a hauler, just a grocery getter and potting soil carrier.
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Overthehill
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2004
08:04:12
| RE: bed extender
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To answer your questions, I have no idea, but I couldn't see spending that kind of money, so I made my own. Went to Menards and bought 3 sections of conduit for under $5 bucks and drilled holes in some wood for the supports. Fed the conduit thru the holes and bent it fit the bed. I put a couple of screws and plastic washers with the heads about 1/4" out mid point on the side supports for the pivot point and drilled a couple of holes (a large hole for the head and a small one below it for the screw shank to side into) in the bed liner so it could swing in and out and I saved $200.00. If you don't have a bed liner, I'm sure a bracket could be fabbed to work as well, or better. The whole thing looks good and works great.
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eddy
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2004
12:26:03
| RE: bed extender
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"Dodge states that they had the weekend home improvement warrior in mind with that truck and it wasnt meant as a hauler, just a grocery getter and potting soil carrier."
Please show me where they say this on the website, I've been looking for the quote and cannot find it. The Quad works for me... seats 6 and now I can carry almost seven feet worth of cargo. Like I said, I hauled an almost seven foot couch right after I put it on. Keeping in mind also that it protruded a bit over the bed rails, meaning it probably wouldn't have fit in a cap. For the type of hauling I do, I'd call that the best of both worlds.
As for a pickup cap...TOo much of a pain if I have to take it off for taller items or stuff that sticks over the sides of the truck, and I don't like the decreased visibility at all. I had one on my older truck and it got old real fast.
For now I prefer to stick to a soft cover that can be removed in a couple seconds wherever I happen to be at the time if I need to carry something big.
So I guess somewhere in those responses that talk about how the bed for my truck is too small and I spent too much money there is a resounding 'no, we have no useful ideas for you.' Really coulda been said with alot fewer words, but thanks for responding anyway.
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uh
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2004
21:45:05
| RE: bed extender
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Message:
"Id feel safer with longer cargo secured by a bed extender rather than bunjee cords or tie-downs." I don't believe it, another guy that willingly runs down the hiway with an unsecured load. I a cop is on the ball and sees your load not strapped in irregaurdless if you have the gate up or a bed extender in place, its ticket time.
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Justi
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2004
00:36:44
| RE: bed extender
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Eddy I think I've finally got you figured out. You have two modes. 1 that loves your truck and 1 that hates it. And here's the kicker. If you are complaining about something to do with your truck and someone disagrees then they are an idiot. If you like something about your truck and someone disagrees, they are getting off topic and picking on you. Yeah, I'd say that sums it up. Not picking on you bro, it just kills me the way you run hot and cold!
OH, and as far as a QC. I love my QC 4x4, also love the 4.7L engine. Haven't had ball joint problems yet and when (or if I reckon) I do then I'll fix em. Hell, that's what the warranty's for. :)
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eddy
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2004
03:39:56
| RE: bed extender
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Message:
No, it would be more accurate to say a guy who goes up the highway at 15 below the limit with what he thought was a properly secured piece of cargo that still worked it's way loose, scaring him sh!tless in the process. Ill still use tie downs in addition to the bed extender when warranted, but it makes me feel secure having something solid securing longer cargo in the place too.
" 1 that loves your truck and 1 that hates it. And here's the kicker. If you are complaining about something to do with your truck and someone disagrees then they are an idiot. If you like something about your truck and someone disagrees, they are getting off topic and picking on you. Yeah, I'd say that sums it up. Not picking on you bro, it just kills me the way you run hot and cold!"
Hehehe You got me. OK Ill say this. I love the packaging , styling, comfort, ride, and performance of the truck. But I hate that they were so half assed in how they designed everything on the front end of the truck. I think driving my old Ranger spoiled me. When my Quad is working properly Im in love with it, as I don't think there's too many vehicles out there that put such a combination of versatility and on road performance in one package. When it's not working it pisses me off because In the last 8 thousand miles I've had it in the shop twice, and I didn't have to be taking days off like this to service my old truck for which I paid 1/3rd as much and had 10 times the miles.
I guess it's imperfect, just like any other vehicle it has its flaws.
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