2021 Optional Bed Cooler spotted

Wouldn't the tie-downs in the tracks still work? I doubt those are motorcycle strong though.

Thing is it's not like Toyota changed the bed. If these don't scratch an itch then don't get them. I had ammo cans bolted to the bed of my last truck because you know what, it's handy having weather tight storage for tire chains and stuff like that.

 

Actually I think it's easily solved: Make the lids only on the top of the bins.
Now they open straight up 90*, but still hinge on the inside edge to allow access over the bed rails. With the lids wrapping into the inside portion of the bed on the bins they open kind of as a gull wing style and intrude into the center bed space completely unnecessarily.

 

That to me is useless. Prevents you from putting on a topper and it's a permanent modification to the bed side.

 

Yes, and folks have used those. Considering the forces that I have felt when tying bikes down, I would not use the accessory rails for that.


Very true, but considering those are about $1k of the package, it seems extreme when there are arguably better solutions.


Those ammo cans are great! With the cubbies on my 2017, I sealed them up and added cam locks. Not a bit of water after doing the work and about similar storage?

 

Yeah its not for me either. But I can see how other people would find it very useful. This toyota thing feels like something isn't really better than the existing solution of tossing a cooler in the bed.

 

I do see what you mean. I'm not defending the design by a long shot. It's like a half attempt, could have been fully useful boxes.

 

Very well said sir

 

Even the RamBox is sort of weaksauce when loss of valuable bed space is considered.

 

Yeah. Its a pretty niche solution. Perfect for a water heater installer maybe

I'm all for solutions that are modular, which I suppose the toyota version satisfies, although it doesn't look very quick to move out of the bed. It seems like the aftermarket has this stuff covered pretty well overall.

 

I beg to differ.
Maybe your target customers think that way, and that's fine don't get me wrong, but the pickup truck market as a whole has been going this way for a long time. The general target demographic looking to buy pickup trucks does not want more bed space, they want a little bit of bed space and space to put coolers or something. They don't want a traditional pickup like we had in the 70's. They want creature comforts. They also want the IMAGE that it's rough and tough. They want the IMAGE that they are cool becasue they drive a truck instead of a Kia Sorrento that would fulfill all their needs. How do I know this to be true? Lol look at a Dodge Laramie Bighorn. Look at a Ford F150 Platinum Limited. Hell Nissan even has a "Reserve" model. Toyota Tundra 1794. I could go on on the luxury. People didn't want this 40 years ago. Now they do and OEM's are glad to oblige. As far as normal customers not wanting more bed space but less bed space, take a look at our Tacoma. How many long beds are sold versus short beds? Go find a Ford F150 Platinum with a 8' bed lol. The real truck users get a real truck like a 3/4 ton long bed F250 or Dodge 2500 or a Chevy 2500. Even my Tundra can't match that. But basically, the general population has forced the real truck users into 3/4 ton territory, or stripped down versions.

So yes, I beg to differ.

 

So true there. If the Toyota version was functional, removable boxes, then I could see it.

I've gone through two versions of that myself. A leftover rolling tool chest that was just too big and now a 108qt Plano that is just right.

 

It was like the bed was made to have them there. They were the same height as the top of the wheel wells, so a sheet goods sat perfect on them. Where I located them was the same inner dimension as between the wheel wells so whatever fit on the floor continued to fit on the floor.

And then behind them 1 gallon jugs and stacks of 2x4 and 4x4 cribbing fit perfect sandwiched against the bed walls.

 

Interesting. The second tier has been handy for me when hauling pallets.

That storage behind your cans is just genius though. Nice work.

 

Nope

 

Hey, you can't just go around using your truck as a....truck!

 

That’s a light load, it’s usually full including behind the front seats.

 

I beg to differ as well. The only reason for buying a truck is to fit a 4x8 sheet of whatever in the back to get it home. Anything that makes that too much work means you essentially have a jeep and not a truck.

 

That's your very narrow definition. I haul stuff in my truck all the time yet I have never hauled a 4X8 sheet of plywood yet. I had a cedar log in it the other day. Right now I have 30 paint cans and am headed to the dump. Last week I had it full of brush. Had 15 5 gal buckets of crushnrun in it a few weeks ago. Again, no plywood lol.

 

meanwhile, on the other side of the planet...



oh yeah, and it comes with a 4.5 liter turbo diesel V8 and diff locks...

 

$76 and all the cooler you'll ever need