How to Install a CargoEase Truck Bed Slide: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Every CargoEase truck bed slide ships fully assembled with a complete hardware kit. The installation is a mounting job, not a build. Most truck owners complete it in 30 to 60 minutes with basic hand tools and one helper.
This guide covers the full truck bed slide installation process for pickup trucks, plus vehicle-specific variations for GM and Ford models, Chevy Avalanche, aluminum beds, and SUV or van applications.
What's Included in the CargoEase Installation Kit
Before starting, unwrap and inspect all parts against the kit contents. Every CargoEase slide ships with the following hardware:
- 4 J-bolts (L-shaped mounting bolts)
- 12 nuts (3/4 inch)
- 12 washers
- 4 vinyl caps (for aluminum bed metal isolation)
- 4 nylon washers (1/2 inch)
- 1 Lift Kit (required for GM and Ford vehicles)
If anything is missing or damaged, contact CargoEase before starting. Every piece in this kit serves a specific function in the mount.
Tools You'll Need Before You Start
The truck bed slide installation requires a power drill with a 5/8-inch metal-rated bit, a drill stop (to protect the cab wall when drilling the bulkhead), a tape measure, a socket set or wrenches for 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch hardware, and a second person to help position the slide.
If your truck has a plastic bed liner, add a hole saw for creating spacer clearance at the mounting points. All fasteners and mounting hardware are included in the kit. No additional purchases necessary.
Positioning and Aligning Your Truck Bed Slide
Place a piece of cardboard on the truck bed floor to prevent scratches during positioning. With assistance, lift the slide into the bed with the handle facing the tailgate.
GM and Ford owners: Before placing the slide in the bed, bolt the Lift Kit onto the lower frame of the slide near the handle end. This step must happen first.
Once the slide is in the bed, locate the slide lock release handle and partially extend the slide toward the rear. Do not fully extend it without support at this stage. The partial extension gives you working access to the front mounting area while keeping the slide stable.
Drilling the Bulkhead: Front Mounting
The front of the slide anchors to the bulkhead (the wall between the truck bed and the cab). This keeps two of the four mounting points above the bed floor where standing water and road spray collect, reducing long-term corrosion exposure.
Measure and mark the center of the truck box bulkhead approximately 3 inches up from the floor. Then measure and mark the center of the slide frame across its front. Push the slide forward until the frame aligns with the bulkhead center mark.
Drill two 5/8-inch holes at the marked positions on the bulkhead. Use a drill stop to prevent the bit from punching through into the cab interior.
Pull the slide back slightly and insert 2 J-bolts into the drilled holes. Place a nylon washer, then a standard washer and nut on each bolt. Tighten securely, positioning the J-bolts for maximum hold.
Push the slide forward again to align the frame with the bolt threads protruding from the bulkhead. Install washers and nuts on the threads and tighten, clamping the frame securely between the two sets of nuts.
Drilling the Side Rails: Rear Mounting
Use the slide lock release handle to fully extend the slide toward the rear and lock it into position. Measure the gap between the slide frame and the wheel wells on each side and adjust until the frame is centered.
Before drilling, check under the truck box for fuel lines, wiring, brake lines, or frame crossmembers. If obstructions are present, relocate the holes to a clear position.
Drill two 5/8-inch holes into the bed floor where the side rails of the lower slide frame align. Fill any gaps under the side rails with 1/2-inch washers or spacers before inserting the J-bolts. This step is critical: if the side rails are not fully supported, the frame can bow under load, causing the slide to bind during extension.
Insert the J-bolts, place washers and nuts on the threads, and tighten securely.
That completes the standard truck bed slide installation: 4 total drill points, 4 J-bolts, and a fully mounted slide.
Vehicle-Specific Installation Variations
GM and Ford Lift Kit
GM and Ford trucks require the included Lift Kit bolted to the lower slide frame near the handle end before positioning the slide in the bed. This is a mandatory pre-positioning step, not optional. Attach it with the provided bolts before the slide goes into the truck.
Chevy Avalanche
The Avalanche skips the standard bulkhead drilling process. Instead, use the provided Avalanche bracket to bolt to the cargo tie-downs at the front of the truck bed. After the front bracket is secure, continue with the side rail mounting steps as described above.
Aluminum Bed Trucks
Aluminum beds do not rust, but they corrode through galvanic reaction when dissimilar metals make direct contact in the presence of moisture. The installation kit addresses this with vinyl caps that slide onto the flattened end of each J-bolt, creating a barrier between the steel fastener and the aluminum surface. Nylon washers provide additional isolation at each contact point.
For trucks with plastic bed liners, use a hole saw to create clearance for spacers before bolting.
SUV and Van Cargo Slide Installation
SUV and van installations follow a different procedure than pickup trucks.
Place the slide into the vehicle with the handle facing the rear door opening. Center the slide between two equal reference points from the center of the vehicle, such as the inside of each wheel well.
Check alignment at the rear by lining up the front of the slide with the rear edge of the vehicle. Confirm the rear hatch closes properly and the slide clears all interior trim. If the slide does not clear, install the Lift Kit under the front flat bar using the provided bolts.
Locate the rear mounting holes on the slide (closest to the front of the vehicle) and confirm they sit on top of the vehicle floor. Using the holes in the slide frame as a guide, drill 1/2-inch holes through the vehicle floor. Bolt the slide from the top down with a washer above and below the frame, plus a lock washer and nut underneath.
For additional security, an optional secondary mount is available. Extend the slide fully, locate the additional mounting holes on the lower frame, check for floor clearance, then drill and bolt the same way.
After mounting, close and open the slide several times to confirm smooth operation and clearance with all interior panels and doors.
Post-Installation Maintenance Tips
A properly maintained slide operates smoothly for years. Here are the key maintenance practices from the CargoEase service guide.
Track lubrication: Apply general-purpose lithium grease into the track using a small paintbrush. Extend the slide and let the bearings roll through the grease to distribute it evenly. Do this seasonally or whenever the slide feels sluggish.
Handle and locking mechanism: Lubricate with penetrating oil (WD-40 or PB Blaster). Retighten all bolts snugly, then back off by 1/4 turn to maintain smooth operation and hardware longevity.
Periodic bolt check: After the first few weeks of use, retorque all mounting hardware to confirm nothing has loosened from vibration during driving.
Every CargoEase slide from the entry-level models to the 3,000 lb Titan series ships with the same complete hardware kit and follows this same core installation process. Browse the full lineup of truck bed slides to match the right capacity to your truck, or start with the Heritage Slide 1200lbs for a versatile option that fits most trade and recreational applications.
Questions about installation for your specific vehicle? Contact us for model-specific guidance before you order!