Plastic Bed Liners

http://www.yotatech.com/attachments...flatbed-build-forumrunner_20130508_084927.png

 

I think the bed mat will be the choice for me. As far as weight goes I don't think that's an issue for me. Plus, with a composite bed a little junk in the trunk will help with traction on slippery surfaces.

 

The funny part is the salesman is the one who told me I can take it out and spray in a liner when I told him I hated the "liner". I guess I need to let him know so he doesnt look too stupid in front of a more better edumicated person. Duh Huh

 

I think i've seen some photos of those. If it is what im thinking of, they are slick

 

Pardon my ignorance. I was a Gen 1 owner and a potential Gen 3 owner. Could never get past the fenders of the Gen 2...
Salesman last week made it sound like it was brand new for the '16. Thanks for enlightening me, gents.

 

At least you knew it before you owned it Gromit

 

Duly noted! Lol

 

I too thought that there was a plastic bedliner over a metal bed. Right up until I was checking out the suspension and saw plastic. One hand on both sides, a couple of knocks, and a Google search proved me wrong! Someone I work with said he was interested in the Tacoma but just couldn't get past the plastic bed. I asked him why that was a problem. He just said he didn't like it, it's not very truck-like, and it's weak. I got into the bed - I weigh 200 lbs - and jumped up and down like a madman. I asked him "Weak, huh?" I then extolled the benefits of plastic vs. metal. less weight, no-dents, and replace-ability. He still isn't sold. Some folks are just stuck on old-wives tales!

 

As far as less weight is concerned, I believe the bed actually weighs 90% of what a steel one would, so it's not a huge difference. I forgot where I read that, but if you look at the F/R weight distribution on the Tacoma vs other trucks it seems to confirm that.

 

I've spent 15 years in the composites industry. The material used is a sheet molding compound. It's molded in 1 piece using a resin sheet with infused fibers. It's one of the strongest composites for this type of application. At first I was turned off by it when I found out (yesterday) but once I got deeper in to it I'm feeling much better about it. If I hauled rebar and metal all the time I'd be more concerned.

 

Can the bed liners be replaced once they get pretty banged up? What about the liner on the tailgate? If so, where can I purchase replacements?

 

You can't replace the "liner" because it's not a "liner" it's the bed itself. If you're concerned about it getting banged up then I would suggest getting a bed mat or a spray on bed liner. I have the mat, myself. Definitely worth the $100. I wish I could tell you where to get replacement plastics for the tailgate but I don't think they're being produced yet. Some third party companies are manufacturing stronger/reinforcing liners for the 2nd gen, so it may just be a matter of time before they do it for the 3rd gens.

 

How is the exterior bed body panels attached to the inner plastic bed?
My truck had a toolbox mounted when I bought it. Work bought me a Leer for keeping stuff dry while expediting it. When I unbolted the toolbox from the top of the bed rail I heard the nut fall down inside between the inner and outer.
The canopy is mounted to the inner track, not the bed rails. Not sure how to get a nut back up that far if I decide to remove the canopy and put the toolbox back on.

 

Spotted at the dealer last week; A $66k Tundra Limited with factory sprayed bed liner option. So I guess the answer is yes, but imo a solution in search of a problem.

 

yes mine was sprayed with line x by previous owner

 

Bed liner can be applied to anything.

I don't see why it's so bad to have a sacrificial coating applied to the bed. Unless of course people are only using the truck as a minivan

 

The composite bed is great. Get the OEM bed mat and you will be in good shape. No need to spray in an additional liner.