Broken box corners..... How to repair?

[TylerG]

I've got my sled deck off my truck right now for the first time in 5 years. Upon close inspection it appears both back box corners are broken in the floor of the box. Does anyone have any experience in repairing this? And how to avoid it happening again in the future?


I'll get some pics tomorrow

 

[Mike270412]

I should maybe look at mine. Deck has been in it since 06.

 

[Caper11]

Is the deck bolted in? Not having a box liner can do this as well.

Small surface area rear feet can cause this as well.

 

[TylerG]

Is the deck bolted in, with the bed not having a box liner or just a spray in?

Small surface area rear feet can cause this as well.

It's bolted in yes, but it sits on 3/4" plywood cut at approximately 12" x 8" to spread the weight out. However on the bottom I just had big washers instead of a plate to spread the stress out over.

There was a plastic box liner in the truck but we cut the corners out to make the deck sit better on the plywood.

 

[Caper11]

It's bolted in yes, but it sits on 3/4" plywood cut at approximately 12" x 8" to spread the weight out. However on the bottom I just had big washers instead of a plate to spread the stress out over.

There was a plastic box liner in the truck but we cut the corners out to make the deck sit better on the plywood.

Up until 2017 my deck was always in the back of my truck.
I have a plastic bed liner and the plywood on top.
I figured the plastic would give the bed of the truck a chance to flex under the deck legs when the chassis flexed.
I only use turnbuckles to hold the deck in.
Maybe try a plate underneath with the use of turnbuckles???

I personally have not heard of anyone repairing the truck bed.

 

[TylerG]

Up until 2017 my deck was always in the back of my truck.
I have a plastic bed liner and the plywood on top.
I figured the plastic would give the bed of the truck a chance to flex under the deck legs when the chassis flexed.
I only use turnbuckles to hold the deck in.
Maybe try a plate underneath with the use of turnbuckles???

I personally have not heard of anyone repairing the truck bed.

I think I need to fix this damage, probably fish plate and strengthen, then yes when I put the deck back on I'll put a big plate underneath as well...... lesson learned I suppose.

 

[250mark1]

my 2012 dodge did the same thing had cracks on 2 corners from the deck
drilled the cracks and welded up and then welded steel plates on the top of the box between and beside the first rib and then had the box sprayed with linex no issues since
also made the biggest steel plates that i could fit for underneath the box

 

[TylerG]

my 2012 dodge did the same thing had cracks on 2 corners from the deck
drilled the cracks and welded up and then welded steel plates on the top of the box between and beside the first rib and then had the box sprayed with linex no issues since
also made the biggest steel plates that i could fit for underneath the box

Mines a 13 3500...... I'll take photo's of the cracks when I'm done work.

 

[TylerG]

Photo's

 

[doorfx]

That’s terrible , I would be pissed. Will Fiat -Chrysler do anything?

 

[pfi572]

All trucks will do that if you just bolt a deck in without a 3/4 inch plywood floor.
Or wide plates on the deck legs.

 

[TylerG]

All trucks will do that if you just bolt a deck in without a 3/4 inch plywood floor.
Or wide plates on the deck legs.

The cut out in the plastic box liner is the 3/4 plywood plates I bolted the deck legs thru.

I've been in touch with Tayco Custom Welding tonight. He is going to fix me up and we will strengthen it up as well.

 

[busted2x]

If you leave it in all the time build some brackets like 5th wheel brackets so the stress is transferred to the frame.

 

[TylerG]

If you leave it in all the time build some brackets like 5th wheel brackets so the stress is transferred to the frame.

For me it's used year round. Sleds in the winter and ATVs or SXS in the summer. So that's exactly what we are going to do is strengthen it up and try to transfer some of that stress to the truck frame.

 

[pfi572]

If you leave it in all the time build some brackets like 5th wheel brackets so the stress is transferred to the frame.

Have had decks for years and thousands of kms . Summer and winter use .
Full plywood box liner or complete floor and never a problem on GM or Ford .

 

[rknight111]

Did you get it fixed Tyler, post some pics.

 

[TylerG]

Did you get it fixed Tyler, post some pics.

not fixed yet...... Rhys says he'll have a look at it, just have to work out some time with him.

 

[medler]

Looks like you need some plates under the box. Do you have turnbuckles to ?

 

[TylerG]

Looks like you need some plates under the box. Do you have turnbuckles to ?

No turn buckles. Just bolted .... Yes to the plates under the box for sure

 

[Cyle]

Have had decks for years and thousands of kms . Summer and winter use .
Full plywood box liner or complete floor and never a problem on GM or Ford .

Could easily be simple design differences in where the bracing/frame is. It's not just the weight doing the damage, it's that the bolts are tight and not allowing the box any movement, and even the upward pull, etc would be hard on it.

I've had extremely heavy stuff in my Ram box numerous times and no issues with floor at all.