Heininger 4016 HitchMate Cargo Stabilizer Bar for Full-Size Trucks
- Fits full size pickup trucks (expandable from 59" to 73")
- Simple, commercial-grade solution to containing your loose cargo
- Heavy-Duty ratcheting system adjusts easily
- Cargo Stabilizer bar is built strong for tough loads
- Rubber feet prevents slippage on and scratching of truck beds
Nedelien C. Mejorada
this thing is perfect for what it is intended for
this thing is perfect for what it is intended for. it is much stronger than comparable product and at a great price as well. regarding the issues some others have mentioned (difficulty unlocking the bar and difficulty in lining it up correctly), i did not find either to be a problem. to line up the bar consistently, i installed it once and then put duct tape on the bar at that location. each time i use it now, i just line it up with the duct tape. to avoid pinched fingers when releasing the bar, do not just push the release button. instead, apply pressure to the engaging lever first. this will remove the pressure from the release button and you can then easily click the release button and remove the bar.
Ggja Tabo Tabo
Wow - Heavy Duty value
This thing is HEAVY DUTY. I bought one of the other cargo bars (the Keeper with the add-on cargo net) but decided to use it in my 2017 Ridgeline's trunk to add a second cargo net pouch toward the front of the trunk. I was happy with it, but this bar is twice the thickness of it and super solid. Great value for price, and I like the ratchet mechanism much better. If you need a cargo bar, I don't see how this could disappoint.
Kim Bidemi Agbor
High Quality!
High quality build. Solid bar. Yes, as many reviews note, you could damage your truck if you don't pay attention as you install it. Very powerful lever action. However, I you don't need much more than basic common sense to realize what is going on. Just take a couple more seconds and adjust the bar to the CORRECT length so that it doesn't dent the side of your bed. Problem solved. And in the meantime, you get a great cargo bar that will last forever. Winner!
John Paul
Works for 3rd gen Tacoma
The compact model works perfect for my 2017 Tacoma short bed. I read a few reviews stating that it can crack bed liners if ratchet is forced. You have to make sure the teeth are positioned correctly to give enough room for the final latching. Just be gentle and it find the right gear tooth sweet spot. I also purchased the add on divider but i’ll Be returning it since it’s too long, creating too much space for smaller items like propane tanks and water bottles. I recommend getting a bed mat to help with items sliding from side to side. Overall the bar is very heavy duty and stays in place when cranked down to the right pressure. Highly recommend!
Shelly Chennells
Could easily contain a restless rhino!
This is the toughest, strongest cargo bar around; a bit of overkill for my 5’ Tacoma bed. While the toothed size-adjustment mechanism is sturdy and, once in place, unmovable, getting it the right length to fit securely but not over tight is a bit of an art form. The bar is quite sturdy...read heavy...so holding it in place with one hand while adjusting the length to fit when the mechanism closes takes some strength and practice. I assume it will become more instinctive over time, but, for now, once in place I am loathed to move it. That said, if you are looking for very substantial cargo security bar, this is the one.
Saima Shahbaz
Probably the Best Cargo Stabilizer Bar on the Market
This is a true Heavy Duty Cargo Stabilizer Bar and it's all metal except for the rubber pads which are molded completely around metal supports. Each pad rotates freely on a pivot bolt. The rack (geared horizontal section) is also heavy duty metal with its terminus firmly thru-bolted to the inner tube. The small silver "lever" located on the side of the housing holding the geared handle is basically a spring-loaded "catch" to prevent the handle from moving once secured. The inner tube appears to be coated with some type of translucent gold colored coating, possibly to make it resistant to corrosion. The outer tube and rack are painted black and while the rack and the handle assembly appear not to be a powder coated finish, it seems to be a good coat. The outer tube appears to be powder coated. Will this damage your truck bed? The shortest width bed this can handle once latched is 59-1/2 inches, so if your bed is narrower than this then the answer to your question is definitely yes. The force this unit can apply if one isn't paying attention and just applying brute force is sufficient to possibly force the sides outward. Once a tooth is selected the inner tube will travel 1-1/8 inches outward during the full-engagement/lever catch process. So divide this by 2, and thus the deflection toward each side wall is 9/16 inches. Each "tooth" you move the inner bar inward results in a minus 1/4 inch total length. So, if your bed width is 64 inches and you extend the bar to 64 inches and close the handle the final length installed will be 65-1/8 inches. Move the inner bar inward to catch the next tooth reduces that engaged total length to 64-7/8 inches, and so on. So you can adjust how much tension you put on your bed sidewalls. My suggestion is have someone assist the first time this bar is used. Place it in one of the desired locations in the bed and install it with the amount of tension to firmly secure the bar. Then while it is installed, measure 1-1/8 inches away from the end of the floating portion of the toothed rack (the part that floats above the outer tube) and use colored vinyl electrical tape to place one wrap around the outer tube such that the edge of the tape is aligned with the aforementioned measurement. To check proper placement of the tape, release the handle and slowly swing it open, and as the bar shortens the end of the rack should line up with that tape's edge. If not, try again. For subsequent uses, just slide out the inner tube until the end of the rack aligns with the tape's edge and close the handle. You can repeat this process for multiple fit locations. Due to its weight, it is a bit awkward for one person to install, however it can be done and the trick is to find its balance point with length about where it's needed, lift it into place and secure handle.
Austen Leone
GREAT BAR, BUT BE CAREFUL!
Very well-made, heavy-duty piece of equipment, which should do a great job, but with one caution. If you have a fiberglass bedliner, as I do, you should not extend the feet all the way flush with the sides before you ratchet or you may crack it (I did this the first time and heard a distinctive sound, but fortunately stopped before any damage was done). The rachet is very hefty and extends the feet another quarter to half inch, when depressed, to tighten the bar, so just back one side off that distance and "ease" into the clamped position, then check the bar for a secure fit. Also, have been reading several comments about the bar corroding, when left in the bed permanently. An easy solution to that is to store it inside the cab, as I do...just extend the ends to both sides of the headliner, above or below the rear window, and ratchet it in place...it's out of the way, won't move or rust and will always be available for use.
Mian Sohail Farooqi
Fantastic on or off road with heavy loads
I've used just about everything from 2x4's to 4x4's and half a dozen different discount bobs truck bars to help keep cargo in place in my truck. I do volunteer search and rescue, so often there is hauling of generators and other specialized gear out to the staging area or the rescue site and this bar so far raises the bar for everything else. It's built out of thick quality steel and it holds up very well to the stress of a few hundred pounds shoving against it as you drive off road. On the highway it keeps everything snug as can be. If you are on the fence about buying one of these, jump on over and get this one as it's designed for both serious work and play.
Youcef Aid
Heavy duty and works perfect.
Heavy duty and works perfect. No more strapping down to keep cargo from shifting. It has enough power to bow your a bed. Just a little pressure on my Ford bed liner and it is rock solid. I get a kick out of the reviews stating that it bent their bed and then give it a bad review because of their stupidity..
Stephanie Holton
Paint or tap reference point helps
Ideal for the purpose - securing lighter loads in a pick-up. Not sure I'd try to secure a big air compressor or other heavy gear just using the bar, however. Don't get too enthusiastic on tightening it ("spreading it"), or you could warp (or bend) your exterior body panels. There is a lot of leverage with the "spreader" function when you are locking it in place. The bar includes big polymer "feet" that grip well, so it tightens quickly and easily. To remove, partially release the handle first, then push the release button and you can prevent "spring back" and a pinched finger. If you just push the button it can bite you when the "spring back" occurs. Put a piece of masking take or a dab of paint at the right stretcher bar distance to serve as a guide to where to pre-position the width for your pick-up when installing. That makes it easier for faster "re-installs" after you've removed it and are putting in back in place.