Installed Extang Trifecta + Bed Mat + AMP Rectangular Bed Extender

I finally got all of my parts and got everything installed. I'm happy with everything, but the seals on the bed cover do need a little work since there are gaps. I emailed Extang, so I'll see what they have to say. I went a little cheap on the bed cover instead of a solid cover, since I've never had one before. I wanted something which would keep most of the weather out, but I could remove in a few minutes. The Trifecta delivers on that, so time will tell how much I like it. It did help my MPG's, so that's a plus.

 

Looks great ... any idea how much it helped your mpg's? I have the TRD OR AUTO with 6300 miles .... mostly highway driving and averaging 16.5 mpg ... computer avg and verified manually as I document all fuel ups, miles, service, & repairs in a log book.

 

Too early to estimate, but I'd say around 1 MPG at this point.

 

How much did it cost you for the bed extender? Was the install easy? Thanks.

 

$195 shipped off of eBay. The install is pretty straight forward:

1. 9/32 Drill Bit
2. Impact Driver or Drill with Torx and Philips Bits
3. Scissors (to cut out template) + Tape to adhere it to the bed temporarily.
4. Center Punch to mark the six drill locations + hammer

You just tape the template on one side at a time, center punch the drill locations and then drill them out. The kit includes self tapping screws, of which mine was missing one so I had to use a self tapping screw with a hex head that I had laying around. The extender itself is adjustable in width, so once the brackets are on you sit it into the bed in a loose configuration, adjust it's width so that it fits right and then install the two vertical plastic clamping assemblies to tighten everything up. Took about 30 minutes, start to finish if I had to guess.

If you've got the basic tools above, you're good to go.

 

Thanks. That is cheaper than the oem one and it has more room too cos it is rectangular in shape.

 

Awesome, I ordered the same extender.

Real truck has the bed extender for $209 with free shipping and a $50 rebate:

http://www.realtruck.com/amp-research-bed-x-tender-hd-sport/R183030P2015Y608MA.html

 

unixadm, what brand cargo bar do you have and how do you like it?

 

Yes, bed is the same. If you look on the Amp Research website, you can search 2016 and it is the same part number. You do not need any extra brackets (I confirmed directly with Amp Research). The screws are self tapping and tap into the plastic bed, so there is no nut on the back.

Now I just need the truck so I can install this thing.

OP- I'm doing your exact setup. I too have never had a tonneau cover and I like how easy the trifecta is to remove...and it is super light.

 

Great post man! That's exactly how I plan on setting my bed up.

 

Search for this on Amazon:

$38 Keeper 05059 Keeper Adjustable Cargo Bar for Pickup Truck Bed, Ratcheting Cargo Bar, Ideal Work Truck Accessories, Black/Silver, 40"-70" Adjustable Length

Keeper 05059 Ratcheting Cargo Bar

I like it, no issues at all.

 

One comment on this. The screws mount into a steel portion of the bed and not where it's composite.

I used the extender for the first time yesterday when I went grocery shopping. Tossed all of my groceries in the bed of the truck where I'd normally fill up the back seat - worked great.

There is one downside to my configuration and that is the spring loaded clamps for the Trifecta bed cover. The extender gets in the way when it's folded into the bed, so you have to use two hands to latch the cover onto the brackets. If I was opening the bed cover every day, I might not like this setup. However since I don't, it will work fine. The clamps require that you pull them straight down to get them to hook onto the bed-rail brackets, but the extender gets in the way.

 

Not sure if it is the same on the Tacoma (waiting on mine ...), but on my F150 there was a slot in the bed where you could put a 2x4 as a bed divider.



I know it's a bit redneck, but for people who want to save a few bucks and maybe have a bedcover so it's not visible then using the 2x4 actually works pretty great ...

 

Is it because of the rectangular shape? I saw one, same brand and it is the SPORT model and it has the same shape as the oem bed extender. And it says "compatible" with a tonneau cover.

 

I guess it doesn't split in half? How easy is it to remove if you need it out of the way? I miss the practicality of the Ford one.

 

The V shaped one might make it a little easier to access the spring handles, but it should still get in the way. I'd rather have the rectangular one either way.

It does split in half prior to being assembled. It can be removed in about five seconds. Rotate it to a certain point and it just pulls right out. Can't get much easier.

 

^Very cool!

 

OP, what type of mounting kit did your extender come with? I seen some on Amazon by AMP with a quick latch.. did you have to buy that separately?

 

For anyone reading, this is not the same bed extender. The OP purchased the full size, the one in the link here is the Sport version which tapers off towards the back.

 

Mine came with everything I needed. If you open the tailgate and stand on the drivers side of the truck looking at it, the left position is 9 o'clock and the right position is 3 o'clock. If you rotate the bed extender to about the 1:30 o'clock position, it will pull right out. Literally it takes five seconds to remove and reinstall. It's a piece of cake to use.