Hi,51 ashton! That's the way I've been doin' it,too,with a good oak 4X4,BUT I'm going to drill a 1/2" hole in the side-rail of my truck-body,and install a thick-walled pipe,(about 3'long),so I'll always have it if I need it. I think it's standard safety equipment on the newer trucks with hoist-bodies. As far as having one on both sides,is what I'd call over-kill. You'd have to put a tremendous amount of weight on that prop,to damage it,since there isn't any free-travel between the prop and the box. Just my 2-cents.