Just ordered a set of Total Chaos bed stiffeners

Isn't there another/few vendors who make these???

 

@Bentrodder
@At The Helm

 

I get the logic of these, but there are two things keeping me from buying them...
1. Price. I mean, com'mon...$120-$160 for simple brackets? Are they titanium or something?
2. Proof. If this is such a prevalent problem, who has actually experienced it and where are the photos?
Otherwise, great marketing I guess.

 

1) Pricey, yes. But they're well made, come with all the required hardware, great instructions, and are powder coated very well. Sure they could be cheaper, but I like the fact that I didn't have to paint or send them off to powder coat.

To each their own. I think the TC brackets are priced a little too high myself, but I don't think that's keeping folks from buying them. Hell, I bought a set. Good on them for making a quality product that solves a problem all while making some coin in the process.

2. Read this thread, or any of the other threads on here regarding bed supports separating and/or cracking at the bottom of the sheet metal. I have personally seen two second gens with cracked bed supports.

 

I understand all of your points and read each and every comment on this thread as well as a few other threads covering these brackets. A few folks say the ride feels different as well as a few claiming cracked bed supports.
What I haven't seen are die hard offroaders bringing this up as an actual issue. In other words, after three years of researching Tacomas (and other models for purchase) not once was this issue brought up until a product had been created. Then all of a sudden it becomes a must have because someone said so. And what about the tailgate? If closed, wouldn't it complete the 'box' and add the necessary strength that these brackets provide?
I want to protect my truck and myself just as much as the next guy and believe me, I love mods! But, if this really were an issue, there would be just as many threads about this as there are 3rd gen transmission gripes.
Finally, I promise I'm not trying to be a troll or cause doubts for anyone who has already purchased these, but rather, if someone can show me the value in having these and that it's an actual, legitimately known issue, I'll cave and install them. But for now, it seems like it's a relatively small issue with very few vehicles affected. Insurance policy? Maybe.

 

I still don't get it......

Why not just put bed rail tie down mounts on each side and tie a rope between the two?

Seeing as tie downs come with the truck, it would only cost a piece of rope

 

I think there is a fallacy in your comparison between the sheet metal bed supports cracking/bending and third gen auto transmission issues.

Every owner with an auto trans third gen is going to experience the reported problems if they are mechanically aware and know how an auto trans should shift.

However, if a Tacoma owner doesn't mount a camper shell, bed rack, RTT, etc over their bed, they will likely not experience bent/cracked bed supports. Once again, the problem arises when excessive weight is placed on the bed sides. The issue is made worse by driving off-highway on uneven sufaces (bumpy/washboard roads). No weight on the bed supports = no stress being placed on the bed supports. Not everyone is going to experience this problem. AND I would venture to say that if one has a second gen Tacoma with a camper shell and they rarely hit speed bumps and stick to even pavement, their bed supports are likely intact. I would still expect there to be some spreading between the bed supports though.

Sure, the tailgate will provide some squaring of the bed when closed; but it does not reinforce the attachment point between the bed supports and the rear bottom portion of the bed. If it did, then we would not see cracked bed supports. The question answers itself.

I believe more Tacoma owners are now paying attention to this design flaw in the composite bed. The sheet metal bed supports are a weak point for sure. I have read plenty of threads discussing this and wouldn't consider it a recent problem. The market has simply introduced a product to fix the issue. More posts about bed supports lead to more owners inspecting their bed supports, which leads to more reports of spreading/cracking etc...

Again, maybe it's because I am now paying attention to this issue, but I have personally seen two Tacomas with cracked supports. Of the two, the '13 TRD OR had a 1/2-3/4" crack in each support at the hole cutout. The cracks were very evident. That truck is a dedicated Expo rig with an ARE shell, but no RTT.

 

That would, in theory, work to some extent. However, rope flexes and gives over time. One would also be hard pressed to tighten it enough to retain the tension needed to pull the supports together.

Even if one eliminated the rope and used a cable with a turnbuckle, the cable would be cumbersome to work around when loading and unloading items from the truck. Hence, the rationale behind the military removing the troop strap when loading/unloading the bed of a truck - it gets in the way.

 

All this theory and no evidence of our beds cracking or bending. Lets see some proof that this is an actual issue, not saying it isn't but seems overkill for the standard person.

 

The naysayers denying is hilarious. Relatively cheaper product...but probably has $1500 bumpers on thier truck and never once utilized the approach angle. Hypocrites.

 

Opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one and they believe theirs doesn't stink.

Buy whatever you want for you truck if it floats your boat.

FWIW, my truck has a larger gap at the top of my tailgate then at the bottom near the bumper. It was like that before I installed my ST which doesn't weigh any where near a hard shell.

 

I have had a set of these as well for over 6 months now. Definitely stiffed the rear end up..

But I also bought them for the additional tie downs.. I use them almost daily for something. Bikes..etc.

 

Thank you for taking the time to discuss this maturely, unlike @i_cappi. I'll continue to pay attention to anyone else having this issue as I do plan on adding a shell and rack, though no RTT. Who knows, maybe more competition will bring these brackets down to a reasonable and justifiable price and then it won't be so much of an issue. Cheers.

 

It was so immature of me lol

 

I bought a set of At The Helm bed supports because it gave me more tie down holes and a friggen bottle opener!

 

My gap is widening due to the weight of my topper and the places I drive. I need to make this investment...sometime.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/check-your-tacoma-hairline-cracks.83175

 

Say it aint sooooooo!

 

Here is a link to a thread with a guy building an expo trailer out of a Tacoma bed. It has pics of home made bed supports as well as pics that show how weak the structure of the Tacoma bed is. Anyone that thinks these are heavy duty pick up trucks that can carry a load are sorely mistaken.

http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/148122-TRDagule-Tacoma-matching-Trailer

^Can't get the pics to post here.

Don't like the price- Fabricate your own.
Don't believe they are necessary- Don't buy them.
Don't believe they work-

 

Yes, the bed and structure are really weak.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/a-warning-about-bed-rail-tire-carriers.285889