what is the best tailgate reinforcement?

I thought I had my mind made up on a tailgate reinforcement from Mobtown Offroad after seeing it, it looks good
the flat one (so drinks can also stand on it) and maybe the tailgate cap reinforcement plate too,

But then I heard there's like 3 different companies to choose from including Relentless Fab and another one (I forget the name),
that have differences in how far they wrap around/down the tailgate top cap reaching towards the tailgate handle.

Also, I think that last company might also offer reinforcement caps for the bed sides as well.

What does everyone run? Which one is the best?

 

If you read through this thread, you will see that even Mobtown admits that the Relentless reinforcement is the strongest. I haven't seen a post anywhere where anyone has bent a tailgate after installing any of the reinforcements. So if your definition of "best" is the strongest, then Relentless steel. If "best" is strong enough to prevent bending while not weighing a lot, choose any of the other ones available from any of the manufacturers. I personally chose the Relentless aluminum reinforcement with the OEM ribbed plastic over it for the best combination of strength and weight. It's not the strongest, but it's strong enough to handle what I do with it. If I had a short bed and were hauling motorcycles, I would pick 1 of the steel reinforcements.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tailgate-caps-who-makes-em.549589/

 

I'm also running the aluminum tailgate reinforcement from @RelentlessFab

 

The Relentless Fab reinforcement should be one of the first mods done to these trucks imo. I’m 100% satisfied with mine nearly 5 years after install.

 

The sheet steel is basically the same strength as 6061 aluminum when the thickness is equal. There is however, a real advantage to the formed ribbing - as the shape bumps up the strength. If you are a DIY sort - check my album for a pattern.

 

Yield strength for A36 steel and 6061-T6 aluminum are similar (36 KSI vs 40 KSI), but steel is 3X stiffer than aluminum with equivalent cross section; for equal rigidity the aluminum needs to be 3X as thick. The goal is to stiffen the tailgate so it doesn't deflect to where it exceeds its yield strength and permanently deforms. To limit the deflection the most with a plate of x thickness, the choice is steel.

 

As long as "best" to you doesn't factor in other, real world factors like weight and corrosion resistance.

Steel is great for bumpers, skids, and sliders but I'm not convinced the tailgate needs it but I don't beat my tailgate as much as others might. I added it to get rid of that crappy plastic tailgate cap and to get a flatter surface when the tailgate is down.

 

I went with Voodoo steel tailgate cap. It has been on a number of years and works fine. Its does get dinged up and rusts, but a quick shot of rust stop and spray paint fixes the problem in about 5 min. I don't know what is "best", but I have had almost 600 lbs (me plus tractor) up ramps into bed. OEM plastic cap would have allowed tailgate to bend. So far, no bending issue with Voodoo cap. Why did I choose? I think there was a sale and/or they gave a TW discount at the time.

 

Any option will achieve essentially the same thing, and I do agree that the smooth plate is muuuuuch better than the stock ribs. You'll be happy with any of them, but of course I'm biased and will recommend the mobtown line. We also offer a 10% discount to military if that applies to you.

 

All I see from KBVoodoo (besides the side caps) is a tailgate cap, so I'm guessing they only make a cap for the top. And not the large plate like Relentless vs. Mobtown

I was kind of excited about the prospect of a flat plate. It might be just good enough to carry ATV's/bikes, not that I have any now yet.
It was just something I noticed (the weakness of the stock parts) when standing on them in a DIY car wash, washing the bed with those foaming brooms. It was flexing inward like it could break, then I read here it's a known weakpoint.
It might also be feelable when sitting on the tailgate down solo or with multiple people.

So a flat one sounded cool to not only offer added reinforcement, but also a flat surface giving the ability to act as a flat table at a tailgate BBQ or something, to set random things on, or drinks. I've set drinks on the stock tailgate before (with plastic) but I have to be careful where the cup bottom is and whatnot, so it doesn't flip sideways.

 

I got the Relentless steel one. It's pretty stout. It took two months to get it, but I'm happy with it. You have to be careful opening the tailgate. It's quite a bit heavier now and the first couple of times you open it, it catches you a little off guard.

 

I have a piece of aluminum tread plate sitting in my shop right now just for this. Just waiting on some cooler weather so I can knock it out.

 

Aluminum seems much more expensive than steel,
What if you add tailgate assist shocks?

I wonder if the added weight (steel) negatively affects the truck gas mileage

 

I've had my Relentless (Aluminum) on for a couple years and it has worked quite well. Haven't really tested the strength too much aside from dirt bikes (250's), a couple dudes sitting on it and maybe 15 bed length logs stacked and hanging out the back off it. Seems strong enough for most uses. The flat metal surface is invaluable though! Way more comfortable to sit on, no careful placement of beer necessary, no spilled beer after an accidental nudge that knocks it out of its careful placement, you can cook with a stove or small grill on it or place a warm/hot pan down on it without fear of melting it. Mobtown's looks pretty slick as well and maybe slightly stronger as it has a handful of ribs running parallel to the length of the tailgate.

 

just found out there's a 4th product available
pretty expensive for a plastic top

https://mountainhatch.org/shop?olsP...ntain-hatch-for-2005-2020-toyota-tacoma-1001o

 

That’s what I have, and am only running it because it was given to me for free. A nice product, but not worth the price imo.

 

I love my Mobbtown Offroad plate and cap. Frequently haul motorcycles with my short bed which puts the rear of my bikes on the tailgate.

 

is that $21 8’ or 6’ aluminum flat bar stock (1”) width from Home Depot modded to fit? Or steel

how is it holding up?

Trying to solve the same problem. Running relentless fab reinforcement and bedrug keeps popping off of the bolts

 

It's 1" aluminum and has held up great.