Fixing tie-down rails to SR tub

[Markdavo]

Has anyone fixed tie-down rails to their tub using toggle bolts, or even self-tapping screws, or is it essential to be able to fit a nut to the bolt?

Cheers, Mark

[NZMarkb]

I guess it comes down to what you are going to tie down?
Rivnuts will work fine but there is no substitute for a big square washer and nut behind a bolt

[justacouch]

I used rivnuts and M6 bolts. Haven't pulled them out with a strap yet.

[Markdavo]

Thanks for your replies. I found this excellent YouTube video showing how to install Rivnuts without the expensive tool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfQIYLSKGwI

[jmag]

I used stainless eye straps and 8mm s/s bolts with nylock nuts and oversized mudguard washers.Bought them from a marine shop in Brisbane. Bit of work had to remove tail lights and mud guards and rust proof your drill holes. Hard to believe you spend over $50,000 on a ute and you dont get tie down hooks in the tub.

[where'smycat]

I used rivnuts to attach aluminium L track. That way the load is spread out and the tie downs are movable.

It is possible to install rivnuts without a tool.....but if you use track, you'll be using a few of them and you'll want the tool after the second one

[abashii]

I put aluminium track in with rivnuts. It's worth noting that you can buy a cheap rivnut kit on ebay, I paid 20 bucks for the tool and a few hundred assorted rivnuts. Not as good as a high quality tool obviously but for 20 bucks it did the job.