Bed Stiffeners

Do you guys think bed stiffeners are required if getting a regular ARE or LEER truck cap? If I put a roof top tent on top of the cap I would say yes but if I’m just using the cap for normal use what do you think?

Thanks!

 

I would still get them just to be safe. No real reason not too

 

Yes

 

I have a related question, is it okay to leave bed covers on when offroading? Or should they be unfastened and folded up?

 

People do all the time. I havent see or heard of an issue from the guys that I wheel with that have them.

 

Thanks, my concern was the bed flexing/twisting and the mounting hardware breaking.

 

Yes.

Plan on boxing the frame out back. Toyota needs to address that issue amongst others for those 10% of us that actually wheel these things.

 

Yes, especially if you might put a roof rack and gear such as boats on top. The bed design is yet another weak spot on these trucks.

 

Thanks guys! I’ll plan on picking up a set soon.

 

No i do not think they are necessary with just a shell, not sure where everybody is getting their info from.

And for the record I've been wheeling and daily driving my truck regularly for 4 years and 75,000 miles with a Snugtop Hi-Liner and I've never even considered bed stiffeners nor do I have any reason to believe I need them. They appear to be a huge pain in the ass and in the way.

 

Yea, I don't think so either.

 

I'm getting my info from first-hand experience, where after less than a year my bed was starting to splay-out at the top by the tailgate. Running a Leer 100XR, with a Hi-Lift and Max-Ax mounted to the bed rails. No roof rails, no RTT, not even a high-top shell. YMMV I guess

"Required" (as the OP put it) might be a bit overstated, but "highly recommended" in my opinion? Definitely.

 

I would definitely get them. I damaged both my tailgate and a very inner edge of the shell as a result of the shifting bed. I hate how far the total chaos ones poke out, but they are a must have IMO.

 

It’s just good cheap insurance. I find the extra tie holes to be quite useful as well. I run a set from @At The Helm

While not required, highly recommended as Justin stated.

 

Toyota says they use c channel so it can flex more offroad. They're just being cheap and trying to keep the weight down. It should be boxed IMO

 

Cali raised bought them on black Friday. And they dont really take up alot of space or get in the way. I have a snugtop top rebel, and I do not want my bedsides to get tweaked so i did this as preventive maintenance. And they double as great tie down points if you hang stuff past the tailgate or strapping ny 5 gallon water jugs to rest against my tailgate

 

Also consider ATH Bed Stiffeners - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bedside-reinforcements-tie-downs-in-stock.476123/

Has a bottle opener too

 

Meh why have to drop your tailgate? Hard mount a bottle opener to your $1200+ bumper



Front bumper too far away? Rear bumper has you covered..

 

That's great!

 

#BecauseOverland