The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Dump Bed Safety Catch

I would like to have a safety catch that is in place when the dump bed is up and I'm working under it. I've always put 2x4's and other things in place before. I'd like to come up with something on a hinge that is permanently installed, like a really heavy duty hood prop rod. Anyone have anything like this? Pictures? ideas?

Jason,
Here is a link to a picture of my setup. I too, wanted a safety hold up device. My fabricator came up with a hinged metal cylinder. In the picture, the device is attached to the bed frame and is in the stored position. I don't have a better picture of it right now or one with it deployed. If you need better pictures it would take me a couple weeks before I am back to my shop.

http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/1...amp;_suid=136874020988408215482439591484

This way you can safely keep the bed in the up position.

Kent

There are many variations out there...the important thing is that it is strong enough to support the bed and that it locks in-place so it cannot get knocked out. That's the biggest problem with lumber...it may have a weakness that is unknown and it can get knocked out of the way.

Here is a link to one I found online that looks like a good design. Also in the picture is a commercial removable type. You could also make something like that and not have to add anything to the truck.
http://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib091806_fig4.jpg
It looks like the rod is flipped up and held in the correct orientation to catch the upper angle by the piece at the bottom. Raise bed, flip up arm and lower bed. The arm could be flipped up with a stick so that you never have to go under the bed.

You might also want to think about putting one on both sides. Extra safety never hurts. Depending upon clearances you may even be able to tie them together so they both raise and lower together.

Tad

i find the only time i need to work on mine is when i need to add oil to the hoist. since filling it up once i havent had to get under the bed. i use a 6" x 8" x 6' oak beam and prop it under the box where on mine is a channel that just so happened to be there it locks the top in place. the other end rests up against the front of the rear tires. when i lower the box the beam locks itself in place. i have one for each side but due to their strength i only need one. in the the 7 years i have the truck ive only used them twice. once was to put oil in the hoist and the other time to paint every thing under the box and frame. go to any big construction site they always have big lumber to get rid of that big equipment was shipped on. its new and strong and free.

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.