Extang Cargo Cleats – Heavy-Duty Truck Bed Tie-Down Anchors
Our Cargo Cleats transform your truck bed into a fully customizable tie-down system. Each heavy-duty cleat mounts flush into the bed rail and rotates 360 degrees to give you anchor points exactly where you need them. Whether you're securing toolboxes, coolers, camping gear, or construction materials, these cleats handle working loads up to 40 lbs per anchor point.
We designed Cargo Cleats with truck owners who demand versatility. The quick-release mechanism lets you flip cleats down when not in use, maintaining a clean bed profile. Corrosion-resistant steel construction stands up to weather, road salt, and daily abuse. Installation takes minutes with basic hand tools—no drilling through your bed required.
Tie-down anchor specs
Construction & Material Engineering
We build Cargo Cleats from high-grade steel with a multi-layer protective coating that resists rust, UV damage, and chemical exposure. The rotating barrel mechanism uses stainless steel pivot pins that won’t seize even after years of use in harsh conditions.
Each cleat features laser-cut mounting slots for precise bed rail alignment. The powder-coated finish matches professional truck equipment while providing scratch resistance. Our testing lab subjects every design to 10,000+ cycle rotations and salt-spray chamber evaluations before production.
Installation & Truck Bed Compatibility
Universal Bed Rail Mounting
Cargo Cleats install on standard truck bed stake pocket rails found on most full-size and mid-size pickups. The system uses existing stake holes—no modification to your truck required. Our included template guides placement for balanced load distribution.
Installation typically takes 15-20 minutes for a four-cleat setup. You’ll need a 9/16″ socket wrench and Phillips screwdriver. Each cleat package includes grade-8 mounting bolts, washers, and detailed instructions with torque specifications.
Cargo Securing Applications
Cargo Cleats excel at securing irregular loads that shift during transport. Rotate cleats to create custom anchor angles for motorcycles, ATVs, lumber bundles, and oversized equipment. The 360-degree rotation lets you route straps straight back, at 45-degree angles, or perpendicular to the bed rails.
For daily use, cleats provide convenient attachment points for bungee nets, adjustable cargo bars, and bike rack systems. Contractors appreciate the ability to tie down tool chests, ladders, and material racks without drilling permanent anchors. Weekend warriors use them for kayaks, camping bins, and cooler tie-downs.
More Extang Truck Bed Organization Solutions
Rated 4.8 by verified buyers
Cargo Cleat Installation & Compatibility Questions
Each cleat is rated for a 40 lb working load, which accounts for dynamic forces during transport over rough roads. This conservative rating ensures safety with shock loading and repeated use.
The ultimate break strength exceeds 200 lbs in our lab testing, but we recommend staying within the 40 lb working load per anchor for long-term reliability and warranty coverage.
Our cleats mount to standard stake pocket holes found on most full-size pickups (Ford F-Series, Chevy Silverado, Ram, GMC Sierra, Toyota Tundra) and mid-size trucks (Tacoma, Colorado, Ranger). The system uses existing holes without drilling.
Measure your bed rail stake pocket spacing before ordering. If your truck has factory bed rails with stake holes, Cargo Cleats will fit. Contact our support team with your truck year/make/model if you're unsure about compatibility.
Yes, Cargo Cleats work with most tonneau cover systems including our Extang covers. When flipped down, they sit nearly flush with the bed rail and clear roll-up, folding, and retractable designs.
The low-profile design specifically accommodates tonneau cover rails. We recommend checking clearance with bulky aftermarket bed rail accessories, but standard tonneau installations have no interference issues.
Installation uses your truck's existing stake pocket holes—no drilling into the bed floor or rails required. You'll insert the cleat base into the stake hole, align the mounting template, and secure with the included grade-8 bolts.
The process takes 15-20 minutes for a typical four-cleat setup. You need a 9/16" socket wrench and Phillips screwdriver. Our instructions include torque specifications and placement recommendations for balanced load distribution.
Rinse the mounting areas every few months to remove road salt and debris. Apply dry lubricant to the pivot pins twice yearly if you operate in harsh environments.
Inspect mounting bolts every six months and re-torque to 25 ft-lbs if you regularly haul heavy loads. The corrosion-resistant coating requires no special treatment, though you can touch up any scratches with rust-preventive spray.
Absolutely. The rotating barrel design accepts standard ratchet strap hooks, carabiners, bungee cord hooks, and rope tie-downs. The 360-degree rotation lets you position the cleat for optimal strap angle regardless of cargo placement.
For maximum holding power, use quality ratchet straps rated for your load weight. The cleats provide the anchor strength—strap quality determines overall system performance.
We recommend four cleats as a minimum—one near each bed corner. This provides balanced tie-down points for most cargo configurations. Six or eight cleats offer more flexibility for long loads, multiple cargo zones, or complex strap patterns.
Contractors and frequent haulers often install six to eight cleats for maximum versatility. Weekend users typically find four cleats sufficient for recreational gear, toolboxes, and general cargo.