Truck Stakes and Stake Pockets: How to Measure, Fit, and Choose

A stake pocket is the socket on the side of a truck bed or flatbed trailer that holds a stake. Stakes drop in and frame side rails, side walls, or a load barrier. Get the fit wrong and the stake will be loose or will not go in. This guide shows how to measure, pick, and match them — see the Stakes & Pocket Sleeves collection.

What a stake pocket is and how to measure it

A stake pocket is a square or rectangular socket on the side of the bed. Some fit square metal stakes; others fit a standard 2" x 4" wood stud. The two are not interchangeable. Measure before you order — a tape measure is enough for most pockets.

• Opening width: inside of the opening, side to side, at the top.
• Opening depth: inside of the opening, front to back, at the top. A square pocket is the same both ways; a 2" x 4" pocket is about 2" one way and 4" the other.
• Pocket length: its depth, top edge to bottom. The square stakes below fit pockets with a 5" pocket length, so 5" of the stake sits inside.
• Check the shape: look inside for welds, rust, dents, or a bottom that is out of square. A stake that matches on paper can still bind.
• Measure every pocket. Pockets on one truck are usually the same size, but repairs can differ.

Square stakes by length: how to pick a length

Square metal stakes are black-coated metal with a squared end. They fit square stake pockets with a 5" pocket length, not 2" x 4" stake pockets. Length is the side height above the bed: 12" or 24" for a low rail, 36" or 42" mid-height, 48" or 54" for a tall side wall. The 5" pocket length is the same on all six sizes.

For 2" x 4" pockets: the 24" adjustable C-channel pipe stake (SKU 99252, $39.99), 30" overall, two 1/2" pins, four adjustment holes. See the Stakes collection.

Sleeves: what they do

A sleeve is a socket that adapts a pocket or a stake; the two kinds here do different jobs.

2x4 stake sleeve, 2-pack (SKU 99250, $39.99). Black coated steel. It slides onto a 2" x 4" pocket and holds a 2" x 4" wood stud cut to any height for a side rail. A 1/2" pin is included per sleeve; lumber is not.

Galvanized square sleeve for wooden stakes (SKU SSQ, $4.99). It slides onto a wood stake to give it a flatbed-pocket base. It is 8" long overall with a 3" opening, galvanized, sold one per order — not for 2" x 4" stakes.

Weld-on sleeves: two fits, measured — not by name

A weld-on sleeve is a raw steel socket you weld to the side of a truck or trailer to make a new stake pocket. There are two distinct weld-on sleeves in the store. They fit different pockets — different products, not two sizes of one part. Match by measurement.

Weld-on stake pocket sleeve, 3.11" opening (SKU PSQ, $5.99). Raw steel, weld-on, made for square metal stakes. The opening is 3.11". Product page: /products/square-pocket.

Weld-on stake pocket sleeve, different fit (SKU PRD, $5.99). Also raw steel, weld-on, for use with square stakes — a different fit from the PSQ sleeve. The store listing does not state its opening size, so do not guess: measure your pocket opening and compare before ordering. Product page: /products/weld-on-stake-pocket-sleeve.

The two sleeves look alike and cost the same, but fit different pockets. A sleeve with the wrong opening will not hold the stake square, or the stake will not go in. If you are building new pockets, use one sleeve for every pocket on that side. More in the Weld-On Products collection.

Brackets and anchors that work with pockets

Brackets and anchors add tie-down points for standard 2" x 4" stake pockets or 2" x 4" wood stakes.

Stake pocket bracket with welded D-ring (SKU 99248, $8.49). Fits standard 2" x 4" wood stakes and slides in to form removable side walls or rails, with a welded 3/8" D-ring for straps and rope. Product page: /products/2x4-trailer-stake-pocket-bracket-welded-d-ring.

Weld-on stake pocket anchor (SKU 99247, $4.99). Solid steel, raw finish, welded on at the pocket, with a 3.5" x 1.7" opening sized for a standard 2" x 4" stud. Product page: /products/weld-on-stake-pocket-anchors-2-x-4.

D-ring stake pocket anchors, 4-pack. These drop into a standard 2" x 4" stake pocket and add a D-ring tie-down point with a hitch pin, locking cotter pin, and four pin holes for height adjustment. The 5/8" 4-pack (SKU 99240, $64.99) is forged steel, black powder-coat: 6,000 lb working load limit, 18,000 lb breaking strength, 0.47" hitch pin. The 1/2" 4-pack (SKU 99242-4, $49.99) is forged steel, black gloss coat: 4,000 lb working load limit, 12,000 lb breaking strength. Plan a tie-down on the working load limit, not the breaking strength.

More in the Weld-On D-Rings collection.

Measuring checklist

• [ ] Opening width, side to side, at the top.
• [ ] Opening depth, front to back, at the top.
• [ ] Pocket length, top edge to bottom.
• [ ] Pocket shape: square, or rectangular (2" x 4").
• [ ] Inside of each pocket checked for damage.
• [ ] Stake matched to pocket shape.
• [ ] Weld-on sleeve matched by measurement (PSQ 3.11" or PRD).
• [ ] Stake length picked for the side height needed.
• [ ] Anchor or bracket checked for fit and working load limit.

FAQ

How do I measure a stake pocket? Measure the inside of the opening at the top, width by depth, then the pocket length, top edge to bottom. Write them down; measure every pocket you plan to use.

What size stake do I need? Match the stake to the pocket first, then pick the length for the side height. Square metal stakes come in 12", 24", 36", 42", 48", and 54" lengths, all for square pockets with a 5" pocket length — not 2" x 4" pockets.

What is the difference between the two weld-on stake pocket sleeves? They are different products with different fits. One has a 3.11" opening (SKU PSQ, $5.99). The other (SKU PRD, $5.99) is a different fit, and its opening size is not stated in the store listing — measure your pocket opening and compare before ordering.

Can I use square metal stakes in a 2" x 4" pocket? No — square metal stakes fit square stake pockets only. For a 2" x 4" pocket, use 2" x 4" hardware: the 2x4 stake sleeve 2-pack (SKU 99250), the bracket with welded D-ring (SKU 99248), or the 24" adjustable C-channel pipe stake (SKU 99252).

Sources

Every specification in this guide was read live from the Boxer Tools Shopify store on 2026-11-10. Store product titles may use older naming; this guide describes products by measurement and fit only.

• Square metal truck stakes, 12"/24"/36"/42"/48"/54" — handles square-stake, 24in-square-metal-truck-stakes, 36in-square-metal-truck-stakes, 42in-square-metal-truck-stakes, 48in-square-metal-truck-stakes, 54in-square-metal-truck-stakes; SKUs SQ12/SQ24/SQ36/SQ42/SQ48/SQ54; $23.99/$31.99/$36.99/$45.99/$45.99/$69.99; 5" pocket length, black coated, do not fit 2" x 4" pockets.
• 24" adjustable C-channel pipe stake — handle 24in-adjustable-c-channel-pipe-stake, SKU 99252, $39.99; fits 2x4 pockets, 30" overall, two 1/2" pins, four adjustment holes.
• 2x4 stake sleeve, 2-pack — handle truck-stake-square-sleeve-for-2x4-wooden-stakes-steel, SKU 99250, $39.99; black coated steel, 1/2" pin per pocket, fits 2x4 pockets, works with 2x4 wood.
• Galvanized square sleeve for wooden stakes — handle square-sleeve, SKU SSQ, $4.99; 8" overall, 3" opening, galvanized, 1 piece, not for 2x4 stakes.
• Weld-on stake pocket sleeve, 3.11" opening — handle square-pocket, SKU PSQ, $5.99; raw steel, weld-on, made for square metal stakes.
• Weld-on stake pocket sleeve, different fit — handle weld-on-stake-pocket-sleeve, SKU PRD, $5.99; raw finish, weld-on, for square stakes; no opening size stated in the listing.
• Stake pocket bracket with welded D-ring — handle 2x4-trailer-stake-pocket-bracket-welded-d-ring, SKU 99248, $8.49; fits standard 2x4 wood stakes, welded 3/8" D-ring.
• Weld-on stake pocket anchor — handle weld-on-stake-pocket-anchors-2-x-4, SKU 99247, $4.99; solid steel, raw finish, 3.5" x 1.7" opening, accepts a standard 2" x 4" stud.
• 5/8" D-ring stake pocket anchor, 4-pack — handle 5-8-d-ring-stake-pocket-anchor-4-pack, SKU 99240, $64.99; 6,000 lb working load limit, 18,000 lb breaking strength, 0.47" hitch pin, 4 pin holes, fits most standard 2" x 4" stake pockets.
• 1/2" D-ring stake pocket anchor, 4-pack — handle 1-2-d-ring-stake-pocket-anchor-4-pack, SKU 99242-4, $49.99; 4,000 lb working load limit, 12,000 lb breaking strength, fits most standard 2" x 4" stake pockets.
• Stake Pocket Hardware Kit — handle stake-pocket-hardware-kit, SKU STAKEPOCKETKIT-4, $39.99; 8 pieces (4x PSQ sleeves, 3.11" opening; 4x 99247 anchors), 1.5 lb per piece, 12 lb total.
• Stake Side Rail Kit — handle stake-side-rail-kit, SKU STAKE-SIDERAIL-KIT, $69.99; 6 pieces (2x4 stake sleeve 2-pack and 4x D-ring brackets), lumber not included, 25 lb total.
• Collections confirmed live 2026-11-10: stakes-pocket-sleeves, stakes-1, pocket-sleeves, sleeves, weld-on-products, made-for-stakebed-trucks, weld-on-d-rings, bolt-on-d-rings.