I couldn't find a 2X3 treated pine board but I could find 2X3 cedar boards, but only in 8' lengths - so I bought 2 and cut them so they met across an underneath support. This is about the only way I could use the cedar (which is rot resistant) since it's not as flexible as the pine and I was afraid it would crack rather than bend enough.
I'm going to use a screw to join them to the side boards but that's another day. I want to see how it works when dry & wet.
This was a snug fit only requiring a hammer to tap it into place and another good thing is cedar isn't supposed to swell as much as pine when wet so probably it won't be a problem.
I haven't been able to find any diamond plate at all, but I haven't tried Tractor Supply yet. I am going to replace the tail gate catch plate whenever I find some, but it's not important that I do it today or even tomorrow, just when ever I find the plate.
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I had to haul a heavy piece of equipment today and every one of my new tie downs that I'd added and was so proud of, came loose a little.
I simply drilled and threaded holes in the top member and screwed in a 3/8" eye. I thought they were strong enough but obviously not. I added 12 of them so that I'd have anchor points all over the place. You can see from the picture that it's bent up a slight amount.
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What do you think would help solidify those mounts? Adding a lock nut on the outside?
Now to refinish my car hauler and then I can sell it to fund some car parts. It's all metal so refinishing and painting will take next to no time. I only have to buy one tie down to replace a missing one, a couple of side lights (I have no need to rewire this one) and at least one tire.
Who needs a real car hauler when you have a car with no doors?
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