Do I Need Bed Stiffeners?

Literally just noticed this walking behind my truck a minute ago... Looks like the top of the bed rails have a pretty wide gap from the tailgate. My leer shell is probably 300 pounds or so, so I am sue thats the culprit. What I wana know is if I absolutely should get some stiffeners and if they will correct the gap, or just keep it from getting worse.

Thanks

 

I doubt a Leer cap for a short bed is 300lbs. It's probably under 200lbs (unless you have a roof rack and the storage locker etc)

Bed stiffeners might be your only option to help correct this. From what understand the composite bed isn't very strong, so heavy caps will force everything to come in over time. Not sure if it will fix the problem 100% forever.

Total Chaos looks like they make a pretty hard core stiffener that goes all the way up the bed side.
http://www.chaosfab.com/2005-2015-Tacoma-Rear-Channel-Bed-Stiffiners-48675

 

It should correct the gap when you bolt them down. These are on my short list of things as well, because I have a rack and RTT on my cap, so a little over 300 lbs.

 

TACOMA REAR CHANNEL BED STIFFENERS (2005-2015)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MFH8TEL/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You can have them in two days

 

How are those 4 side bolts attached on the inside??

On a side note, it's a real shame that Toyota can't build a bed strong enough to support a cap.

 

They're awesome. @At The Helm makes some too. Little cheaper than TC. I've had both brands and they're both top notch.

 

Drill holes out and attached with nuts and washers.

 

You drill the 3 holes. If you take out the taillight, you have access to the other side for the nut.

 

I would recommend the total chaos as well, those other ones are more ornamental as the upright only ties into sheetmetal. They will open a beer in style though.

 

I would think a piece of flatbar would be stronger than nuts and washers..

 

I'm not seeing a huge gap between the box & tailgate, looks like a straight uniform gap top to bottom. Wouldn't it be more of a cap issue than a box issue?
Have you measured the gap top to bottom?

 

I've got an access cab so it's a regular sized bed. The cap may not be 300 pounds but it's gotta be dam close. It's super thick fiberglass with a carpet lining. All I know is that it's a pain in the ass even with two people to get on and off.

 

Haven't measured yet but I don't think the pictures do it justice. Looks worse in person. I will measure to confirm though.

 

Your gap Doesn't look to bad. The gap on mine was way worse than that. I installed the bed stiffeners and got some of it back, not all, but hopefully it will prevent it from spreading in the future..

 

What does everyone think about making their own stiffeners? I mean they are basically just reinforced 3/16 L brackets right? Couldnt I just Cut/Weld up some steel, paint it and boom - done?? Anyone ever do this themselves?

 

I've seen someone on here make there own. I dont have any skills to attempt it so I just bought mine.

 

Yep, exactly. If I could weld these would be pretty easy to make.