Best choices for bed stiffeners

Rago fab
They are stainless steel

 

Those look good, but a little thin in the middle

 

Depending, SS can be much stronger than carbon steel. They look good, IMO.

 

Can someone explain to me what the purpose of these are? In what situation would you say "if I only had bed stiffeners" . This is an honest question .

 

That question has been asked, and answered several times.
See the below response from TC.

 

Love my @At The Helm

 

"On 2005 and newer Tacoma's the composite bed is very weak. Over time they can fracture or crack causing issues with tailgate alignment and possibly lights. We reinforce the rear bed channels at the tailgate which is ideal for preventing bed flex and avoiding issues that come along with it."

Has anyone experienced this?

 

No, but many beers have been opened with them.

 

The function isn't patented (utility patent,) but the design is. So you can still sell the soda, you just can't make your vessel look like a coke bottle

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=D820,180.PN.&OS=PN/D820,180&RS=PN/D820,180

 

anyone bother to put some type of sealer as a gasket behind their (company of personal preference) bed brackets? i'm thinking Permatex silicone black or 3M #5200 types just so crap doesn't get wedged in the joint over the years.

thoughts?

 

I didn't do that, but did paint the holes that I drilled and put sealant on the nuts and washers on the back side.

 

I'm looking to get some Bed Stiffeners, so I, of course came across this thread...I have found 1. I"m buying them based on price...because 2. Somehow TW members are all metallurgical and engineering masters! LOL! This tread has been hilarious to read...for that folks, I thank you! Have a nice day!

 

I added these bed stiffeners, which I cut and assembled last fall as the originals cracked under the weight of two normal sized humans on the platform. I’d recommend these, which you can purchase inexpensively at any home improvement store or lumber yard.

 

Probably should ask what activity cracked that bed... depending on participant attractiveness, PM me a link for the vid.

 

Are you actually serious!?

 

Of course not! It’s Friday!
I installed these about a year ago.

 

who makes the cute little red gadget?

 

are you "Piledriver6" over on the other forum?

 

I cut off the top few inches of these stiffeners by @At The Helm (so they won't interfere with my planned wooden sleeping platform) and painted them gunmetal silver. I used my own stainless steel hardware for the side bolts, with fender washers on the outside (behind the tail lights) to help spread the load.