Abstract: A vehicle is provided herein. The vehicle includes a tailgate adapted to pivotally latch to a vehicle cargo box. A tie-down member having a base portion is coupled to a lateral side of the tailgate assembly. The tie-down member further includes a retaining portion extending from the base portion. The retaining portion may include first and second substantially parallel channels.

Abstract: In one example, a tailgate assembly is provided that includes a front panel and a top panel adjacent to the front panel. A top cover is disposed on the upper panel and extends along the tailgate. A cover on the tailgate defines a T-shaped track that extends along the tailgate. The T-shaped track is configured to slidably receive a fastening element, and includes opposing lips spaced above a bottom track surface. The lips are configured to retain the fastening element.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a box, a plate and a compartment. The box is attached to a cab at a headboard and includes two sidewalls extending perpendicularly from the headboard and a bed. The plate is secured to either of the sidewalls and defines a groove keyed to receive a cleat configured to lock within the groove. The compartment is locked to the sidewall via the cleat and has an insert configured to slide out of the compartment, parallel to the sidewall on a track and roller. The insert includes a lock to maintain a position of the insert within the compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided herein. The vehicle includes a tailgate adapted to pivotally latch to a vehicle cargo box. A tie-down member having a base portion is coupled to a lateral side of the tailgate assembly. The tie-down member further includes a retaining portion extending from the base portion. The retaining portion may include first and second substantially parallel channels.

Abstract: A pickup truck box assembly includes a truck bed, an inner side panel, and a D-pillar. The truck bed is secured on a rear edge to a rear cross-member. The inner side panel is mounted to the truck bed. The D-pillar includes an inner part secured to the cross-member and inner side panel, and an outer part secured to the inner part and disposed between an outer side panel and the inner part. The D-pillar inner part includes a U-shaped portion and a first flange extending rearward substantially ninety degrees from the U-shaped portion in a plane substantially parallel to the side panel and a second flange extending from the U-shaped portion outboard of the inner side panel.

Abstract: A tie-down assembly for a pick-up truck bed that includes a cleat including a base having first and second feet defining first and second fastener receiving holes, a body portion extending from an outer side of the feet, and first and second arms extending from the body portion that are spaced from the feet and define tie-down holes. Fasteners inserted into the first and second fastener holes secure the cleat to the pick-up truck bed. A method of making a tie-down cleat for a pick-up truck bed by extruding an elongated bar having a pair of feet portions connected by a body portion to a pair of arm portions. The elongated bar is cut into a plurality of planar cleat blanks and the cleat blanks are drilled to form fastener holes in the feet portions and tie-down holes in the arm portions.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a box, a plate and a compartment. The box is attached to a cab at a headboard and includes two sidewalls extending perpendicularly from the headboard and a bed. The plate is secured to either of the sidewalls and defines a groove keyed to receive a cleat configured to lock within the groove. The compartment is locked to the sidewall via the cleat and has an insert configured to slide out of the compartment, parallel to the sidewall on a track and roller. The insert includes a lock to maintain a position of the insert within the compartment.

Abstract: A pickup-truck box includes a bed and a sidewall connected to a longitudinal side of the bed. The sidewall includes an inner panel, an outer panel, and a top rail. The top rail defines a stake-pocket hole and extends between the panels to define a sidewall interior. A stake-pocket bracket includes a tubular body defining an opening. The bracket is disposed within the sidewall interior with a first side of the tubular body secured to the inner panel at a location that vertical aligns the opening with the hole to receive an object within the opening.

Abstract: In one example, a tailgate assembly is provided that includes a front panel and a top panel adjacent to the front panel. A top cover is disposed on the upper panel and extends along the tailgate. A cover on the tailgate defines a T-shaped track that extends along the tailgate. The T-shaped track is configured to slidably receive a fastening element, and includes opposing lips spaced above a bottom track surface. The lips are configured to retain the fastening element.

Abstract: A tailgate pivotally mountable to a vehicle includes a tailgate body comprising first and second sidewalls, and a strainer disposed between the first and second walls and extending in a longitudinal orientation. The tailgate further includes a stake pocket disposed between the first and second sidewalls and extending substantially orthogonal to the strainer. The stake pocket includes a channel body defining an interior channel.

Abstract: A tailgate includes an internal panel, external panel, upper panel, lower panel, latching mechanism, and access panel. The internal and external panels are each secured to the upper and lower panels. A cavity is defined between the upper, lower, internal, and external panels. The latching mechanism is disposed within the cavity and is linked to a handle located on the external panel. The access panel is secured and extends adjacent to the internal panel beyond the upper panel. The cavity is exposed when the access panel is removed.

Abstract: A workpiece support is provided for a pickup truck tailgate. The tailgate includes a retractable step including a pair of step support members. The attachment brackets include a workpiece support bar and a riser that are attached to the step support members and to each other at a right angle. The workpiece support bar and riser may be fixedly attached to each other or attached by a pivot connector. Detachable connectors are provided to connect a workpiece support bar and riser detachably to the step support members.

Abstract: A tie-down assembly for a pick-up truck bed that includes a cleat including a base having first and second feet defining first and second fastener receiving holes, a body portion extending from an outer side of the feet, and first and second arms extending from the body portion that are spaced from the feet and define tie-down holes. Fasteners inserted into the first and second fastener holes secure the cleat to the pick-up truck bed. A method of making a tie-down cleat for a pick-up truck bed by extruding an elongated bar having a pair of feet portions connected by a body portion to a pair of arm portions. The elongated bar is cut into a plurality of planar cleat blanks and the cleat blanks are drilled to form fastener holes in the feet portions and tie-down holes in the arm portions.

Abstract: A bed for a pickup truck includes a floor, at least two sidewalls extending perpendicular to the floor on opposite sides of the floor, a headboard connected to and disposed between the sidewalls, a mount and a plate. The mount has a base including a face defining a plurality of holes, extending across the headboard. The mount is attached to the at least two sidewalls at a first and second end of the base. The plate is configured to support a winch on the base of the mount. The plate includes a bracket to slide on the face and is configured to secure the plate at any of the plurality of holes on the face between the first and second ends.

Abstract: A tailgate cover assembly including a first panel and a second panel fixed to a vehicle tailgate and connected to the first panel by a first hinge assembly, the first panel being pivotable with respect to the second panel. The tailgate cover may also include a third panel fixed to the second panel by a second hinge assembly and being pivotable with respect to the second panel, wherein in an extended state, the first panel and third panel provide a flat surface on the tailgate.

Abstract: A truck box assembly includes a truck box and a tailgate. The truck box is mounted to a vehicle body. The tailgate is mounted to a rear portion of the truck box for rotation between at least closed and open positions and includes an inner face and an upper face. The upper face defines a first clamp pocket sized to receive an external clamp to secure an item to the inner face when the tailgate is in the open position. The tailgate may further define a latch receiver pocket sized to receive a latch of the truck box to secure the tailgate in the closed position. The first clamp pocket may be located proximate the latch receiver pocket. The latch receiver pocket may be located adjacent a rear pillar of the truck box when the tailgate is in the closed position.

Abstract: A pickup-truck box includes a bed and a sidewall connected to a longitudinal side of the bed. The sidewall includes an inner panel, an outer panel, and a top rail. The top rail defines a stake-pocket hole and extends between the panels to define a sidewall interior. A stake-pocket bracket includes a tubular body defining an opening. The bracket is disposed within the sidewall interior with a first side of the tubular body secured to the inner panel at a location that vertical aligns the opening with the hole to receive an object within the opening.

Abstract: A loading ramp for a tailgate is stored and transported on the inside wall of the tailgate. The loading ramp includes a base section pivotally connected to an inner wall of the tailgate. A ramp section is connected to the base section by a hinge and is movable between a loading position extending from a distal edge of the tailgate to a ground surface and a transport position folded against the base section in a transverse/vertical plane. An alternative loading ramp includes a top section, a top hinge connecting the top section to a distal edge of the tailgate, a bottom section, and an intermediate hinge connecting the bottom section to the top section. The top section and the bottom section are stored with the top section and bottom section parallel to each other and to the tailgate.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate includes an upper panel, lower panel, internal panel, external panel and brace. The upper and lower panels are spaced apart relative to each other. The internal and external panels are each secured to the upper and lower panels. A cavity is defined between the upper, lower, internal, and external panels. The brace is disposed within the cavity. The brace includes first and second flanges extending outward from a central plate. The first and second flanges are secured to the internal panel while the central plate is secured to the external panel.

Abstract: A tie-down apparatus is disclosed for a pick-up truck bed that includes a cleat having a base portion adapted to be attached to the pick-up truck bed and a loop portion defining an opening for receiving an elongated strand threaded through the opening. A neck portion is provided between the base portion and the loop portion that is adapted to be wrapped by the strand. A hook-shaped flange has a first portion extending normal relative to the loop portion and a second portion partially overlying and spaced from the loop portion. Teeth may be provided on the loop portion directly or on two triangular protrusions. A clamping jaw may also be used to positively grip the strand.