[MOTHERTRUCKERS]

We do it here all the time on customer trucks, the 8 bolts that bolt the wood to the frame cause stress on the wood and keeps it from moving (expansion/contraction). We cove the bottom of the wood where the bolt heads are and use square hole large washers tacked to the crossmembers so you can remove the bed without removing the wood. We spent a lot of time improving through r&d on wood bed kits, 3% moisture content,#1 furniture grade stock, routered bead edges that capture the strip to prevent scuffing with edge drains every foot and cross grain splining to prevent splitting and cupping. We have I think the best longest lasting kit available and back it with a warranty of 10 years on properly sealed finished wood.