A load retaining gate assembly is provided to restrain the movement of items stored in the bed of a vehicle. The load retaining gate assembly is made of two gate members arranged in sliding relationship and has at least one compression spring-loaded assembly. One gate member slides into another gate member. A compression spring is held in place within the gate members for biasing the length of the gate assembly against side walls of a vehicle bed. The gate assembly is held in place by the pressure put by the spring against the side walls of the vehicle bed. The gate assembly can be positioned anywhere across the width of the vehicle bed and can be easily removed from its position when not needed and locked in a compressed state.