Cap Owners - Do I Need Bed Stiffeners?

I've got a ARE CX HD Cap coming for my shortbed. It's about 185 pounds, so I was wondering if it will be necessary to get bed stiffeners?

After researching it seems that stiffening the bed IS necessary if you plan to have any weight on it like a cap. I have a bed extender installed, and the stiffeners mount in the same spot so clearance will be an issue if I need the stiffeners.

I've seen a post here showing how someone got the extender brackets mounted over top of the stiffeners. Seems fine enough of a mod, but I'm surprised there isn't a shop fabricating a stiffener that works along with the bed extender.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

Have not needed stiffeners in my 2013, have a cab high Leer (can't remember the model #). Had it on a little over a year

 

If you’re spending a couple thousand on a cap, then don’t cheap out on the $100 bed stiffeners. Many people do eventually have issues without using them; so it’s a cheap insurance policy.

 

I have had an ARE V-Series camper on my 2019 dclb for about 8 months now with no issues. Some fairly decent off-roading done with it too. My understanding that that it’s more bed racks that angle out where stiffeners are needed most.

 

I would personally, but no need.

I would also do an add-a-leaf if I ran a bed topper, the rear springs on these trucks suck and I find toppers shorten the life span of them more aggressively, even the updated springs. It will also stop the reverse rake on a Pro model.

 

Thanks Bishop, been waiting to see how much it squats when the cap is installed but I'm almost certain I'll do that mod.

 

I spent the $115 on At The Helm ones. Cheap insurance IMO since I bought the truck new and a $2k cap, but I do admit I have no idea of if this helps scientifically

 

Thanks Brooks. Good to know you aren't having any issues while still taking it off road.

 

Good to know. I've seen another person posting about having a Leer 100XR and not having any issues without stiffeners either.

 

FWIW: I have the Total Chaos stiffeners and a fibreglass cap. I bought bed stiffeners on a lark because I was bored. However, I swear I have to tighten the cap mounting bolts/clamps, less often since I put in the stiffeners. They used to come loose after a couple days on washboard roads.

 

If you are flexing your truck off-road on a regular basis, stiffeners are likely a good idea if you have a cap or heavy load on a bed rack. For the other 99.9% of Tacoma owners, the stiffeners are unnecessary. 2013 & 2018 with caps and no stiffeners. No issues.

 

Had a Leer 180 on my Taco for 8 years with with no stiffeners. Plenty of off-roading. Never had an issue.

Edit - Also had a rack on the cap and often had canoe/kayak strapped on while off-road.

 

Thanks Mark! This is encouraging to hear.

 

Thanks HillCoach. I may fall into that 99.9%. I do mostly on-road now but planning to take this off-road in the National Parks and beyond. The results of the poll so far lean towards having the stiffeners. I'll check back later.

 

Before I put my SungTop Hiliner Sport on in May '17, I bought @At The Helm stiffeners, which were the first to have integrated bottle openers. Never had a problem since and have ratchet strapped a lot of stuff to them.

 

2017 SB with Leer XL cap, no issues without stiffeners.