How to Install a Tailgate Net on a Truck? | Secure Cargo in Minutes

Whether you’re hauling camping gear, firewood, or sports equipment, a loose load is a hazard. The right way to install a tailgate net comes down to a few straightforward steps: confirm compatibility with your specific truck, lay everything out, attach and tension evenly, then double-check your work before driving. Below is the practical sequence that works for both universal and vehicle-specific nets.

Check Compatibility Before You Start

Most tailgate net problems trace back to a mismatch between the net and the truck. Some nets are universal, designed with carabiners and straps that clip onto any available anchor point. Others are built specifically for certain makes and models, sometimes requiring drilling.

The product page for the Gladiator Tailgate Net lists it at 54 by 17.5 inches and describes it as fitting most pickup truck beds. A separate Walmart listing offers a similar “Truck Tailgate Cargo Net” at 60 by 18 inches. Before buying or installing, measure your tailgate opening and identify where hooks can attach — stake pockets, D-rings, or existing tie-downs all work, but you need to confirm they’re present before you commit to a method.

The Standard Installation Sequence

For a universal tailgate net with hooks or straps, the process is simple:

1. Lay the net flat on the ground and identify each hook, strap, or carabiner.
2. Open the tailgate and locate your anchor points — D-rings, stake pockets, or existing tie-downs.
3. Attach the top corners first, then the bottom, clipping each hook securely.
4. Pull the webbing straps to tension the net evenly across the opening.
5. Confirm the net sits centered and taut with no sagging edges.

When it works, the net holds cargo snug against the tailgate. If it sags in the middle or pulls to one side, you attached it crooked — unhook and reposition.

Drilled Installations: When You Need Hardware Mounted Nets

Some vehicle-specific nets require permanent mounting. Covercraft’s Pro Tailgate Net PN003, for example, needs four 1/4-inch holes drilled into the back side of the stake-bed housing on 1997-and-newer Ford pickups. If you’re working with this type, the sequence changes:

1. Clean the mounting surface thoroughly and dry it.
2. Remove taillight assemblies if the mounting points enter their housings, and clean up any metal shavings afterward.
3. Drill the holes and apply rust preventative to each one.
4. Mount the net and tighten bolts to a maximum of 15 lb-in — the instructions explicitly warn against overtightening.

GM’s official instructions for a tailgate bin organizer follow a similar pattern: clean and dry the inside of the endgate, tighten screws to 1.2 N·m (11 lb-in), then clip the net hooks onto the D-rings.

Common Mistakes and Safety Checks

• Leaving slack. A loose net lets cargo shift or fall out. The net should be taut and evenly tensioned across the entire opening.
• Overtightening fasteners. On drilled installations, exceeding the torque limit strips threads or cracks the housing. Use a torque wrench or driver set to the specified limit.
• Skipping the surface prep. Dirt and debris interfere with fastening and seating. Clean and dry the mounting area first — GM’s instructions list this as a mandatory first step.

Once installed, check that every hook and strap is secure before driving, and arrange your cargo so the force on the net never exceeds its rated capacity. One manufacturer’s sheet also recommends wearing protective eyewear while attaching the net — cheap insurance against a slipping hook. And if you’re choosing between options, carefully check the net dimensions against your truck bed before ordering. If you’re ready to buy, our roundup of the best truck tailgate net options compares top-rated picks side by side.