Longbed mounting hole placement

[FL71C10]

7 7/16 wide for the widest ones. I think part of my problem is that I mounted the second board (the one that is cut out around the wheel well) too close to the bedside, so there is a large gap to the 3rd board. I can probably take the bolts out and move the board inward a little bit to tighten things up.

[AussieinNC]

I am attaching a pic of the bed board mounting showing how the wear strips are embedded into the bed wood...thanks to GMCpauls for the image...

There needs to be approx 1/2" - 5/8" inch gap between the two boards where the bolt goes thru, to allow for expansion of the wood due to moisture and weather etc.

The bolt should be 1/4"...so you should have approx 1/8" to 3/16" either side of the bolt shaft.

I always find it easier to not bolt down the 3rd board in from outer edge to the wheel covers until all of the bed planks are in place.