Pickup bed ratcheting cargo bar... any opinions?

[Dadnatron]

I have a F350 CC dually and I find that I will often need to carry a few things around in the bed, but they invariably slide all over the place. The most typical culprits are gas/diesel cans.

Has anyone had any luck with those ratchet bars that span the bed and simply press tight in order to keep from moving?

I don't want to put something significant in the bed in order to stop the movement, but I've thought that perhaps one of those would give me some basic 'slide stability' and options in moving it to both front/back as well as how big/small to make it.

This is what I am talking about, or something like it.
Amazon.com: Keeper 59 Ratcheting Cargo Bar: Automotive

 

[JK22]

I own that same bar. I like it and it still works well after about 8 months. My Ram has slots on the sides of the bed and Previously I used 2/6" to secure things but that was a pain and occasionally they disappeared from my bed when I was unloading other lumber. However, you do need to be careful, as these bars do have the force to dent/warp the sheet metal if you ratchet them too hard.

 

[sweettractors]

That device looks like it should do the trick. Lower profile items may still be able to slide under it? Ken Sweet

 

[JK22]

^thats true. I like putting mine towards the tailgate. Great for securing gas cans, propane tanks, liquor store boxes. Better than nothing for groceries.

 

[Tompet]

I've had one similar for about 8 years from, I think, Home Depot purchased on a whim. It is very handy and would purchase another if needed as it gets used quite often.

 

[Tompet]

^thats true. I like putting mine towards the tailgate. Great for securing gas cans, propane tanks, liquor store boxes. Better than nothing for groceries.

Exactly.

 

[Fallon]

I have one in the back of my Tacoma & it works great 90% of the time. Heavy stuff will pop it loose occasionally. My 6" auger for my PHD keeps pushing it loose or jumping over it... really need to drop that up at the shop, no need for it still riding around in there.

I went through 2 cheap Harbor Freight ones that broke. Got a slightly beefier one at the farm store for $35ish I think. The HF ones use a smooth shaft & friction. My new one has a rack on the shaft a gear on the ratchet mechanism runs on. Mechanism is pretty much the same as a ratchet strap except it has a gear & track on the rod instead of a strap.

 

[hslogger]

I have one of the " S line" ratcheting cargo bars that Northern sells. It is Heavy Duty, a tad bit more expensive than some other ones but well worth it. STOUT.http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200320753_200320753

 

[knukey]

Harbor Freight sells them. $21.99

Ratcheting Cargo Bar

Use the 25% off on Sunday and save some $$ if practical.

Harbor Freight Tools Coupon Database - Free coupons, 25 percent off coupons, 20 percent off coupons, No Purchase Required coupons, toolbox coupons

 

[BukitCase]

I have one of the HF ones - it's noticeably wimpier than the earlier linked one and doesn't have a "fine" adjustment between notches. Almost NEVER use the HF one, bought a second similar to that first link for times I need TWO at once... Steve