Recently, I installed 27 feet of 2AWG cables from the battery to a quick connect, at the rear of the truck. While I was routing it, along the frame, I found one of the bolts that holds my Gooseneck brand flatbed on the frame of my chassis cab was loose. It could move about a half inch and was rusted. It used a 23 mm bolt head and nut, which I could not get off with my air impact (running an 11 CFM 60 gallon air compressor). I had to use a reciprocating saw to cut it.
This bed uses ten bolts, total, holding the tabs welded to the flatbed onto the frame. I was able to replace the front two (nearest the cab) with 5/8 Grade 8 bolts and washers with a lock washer and matching nut. There are two bolts by each rear tire and two bolts at the rear, lower in the frame, by the hitch receiver tube. I bought four bolts, but due to the fuel and brake lines run through the frame, I didn稚 get to more than the easy two. I will buy six more bolt sets and replace the rest, when it gets nicer outside and I have more time.
Friendly reminder, to check the bolts holding your flatbed on. Those bolts are the only thing keeping my flatbed (and any trailer attached) to the truck. Yes, I know only one pin holds all the weight of the trailer, but better to be safe.I did not get a good before picture, but here is the rusted bolt and the new bolt installed. The way the rust is moving in, I知 guessing I値l only get a few more years out of this flatbed. Sanding and repairing the tabs is also on this summer痴 project list.
If anyone is interested in the 2 AWG setup, I can start a thread on it.
This bed uses ten bolts, total, holding the tabs welded to the flatbed onto the frame. I was able to replace the front two (nearest the cab) with 5/8 Grade 8 bolts and washers with a lock washer and matching nut. There are two bolts by each rear tire and two bolts at the rear, lower in the frame, by the hitch receiver tube. I bought four bolts, but due to the fuel and brake lines run through the frame, I didn稚 get to more than the easy two. I will buy six more bolt sets and replace the rest, when it gets nicer outside and I have more time.
Friendly reminder, to check the bolts holding your flatbed on. Those bolts are the only thing keeping my flatbed (and any trailer attached) to the truck. Yes, I know only one pin holds all the weight of the trailer, but better to be safe.I did not get a good before picture, but here is the rusted bolt and the new bolt installed. The way the rust is moving in, I知 guessing I値l only get a few more years out of this flatbed. Sanding and repairing the tabs is also on this summer痴 project list.
If anyone is interested in the 2 AWG setup, I can start a thread on it.
