Can anyone tell me about composite truck beds?

I'm not sure I like it. What are the pro's and con's? Can I put a shell on it?

 

Light, dent resistant. Yes on the shell.

 

Its durable and won't rust and yes you can put a cap on.

 

Never had a problem with mine.

 

Most shells hook to the rail system with a bracket that goes in the track that the mounting bolts go through, pretty easy install. My main dislike was that they are pretty slippery (though you have the rubber mat which eliminates that issue)...I installed a Bed Rug kit as my shell will stay on the truck.

 

Thanks for the prompt replies. I have an Access soft tonneau and would like to have a shell. what all is involved in removing the tonneau?

 

Depends on what you have.

 

If its like the Access Literider, the sides just install behind the bed rail tracks. Take the bolts out, remove the Access cover's runners and re-install the bed rail tracks. I dont really remember how the front comes off, but its really simple.

Just reverse the steps in this video for removal.

 

That's good news, thanks for the vid. Visual instructions are best.

 

No problem.

 

Whats that upright bracket with the yellow stickers on it? Is that part of the cover? Mine doesn't have that.

 

Yes, yours should have the upright you mentioned, it is part of the truck bed.

 

Does anyone else's cubbie holes towards the cab come out of are loose?

 

i have that sticker but have never read it

 

My only complaint is how slick it is, but it's easy to clean and tougher than a steel bed. I've had a 110 lb. Anvil sliding around the back banging off the sides and no harm.

Probably should have tied it down but I was lazy...

 

bed mat solves that issue 100%. My truck came with one, but its rolled up on the side of the house

 

I've never had good luck with bed mats, always take them out and never put them back in.
Sounds like you have the same problem. Lol

 

no the oem bed mat is great. Fits right in, and stops stuff from sliding. Even says "tacoma" on it in huge letters. I took it out because i rarely haul stuff, its a bit heavy, and leaves and things get caught under it. If im hauling anything and dont want slipping(like this monday a corvette hood) then i put it back in.

 

Your question: Can anyone tell me about composite truck beds?

Yup!

- exclusive to Toyota
- the bed won't rust, but it scratches or gouges.... So what? It's a truck.
- has more slip than a frog in a bucket of oil, so buy a bed mat
- won't dent, might crack, but I wouldn't drop a ton of bricks in it like some truck commercials ( LOL )
- made of composite, of course, so it inherently has bidirectional rigidity
- there is a cap market for this truck, therefore you can put a cap on it without worry of killing unicorns


... and it's a Toyota. You can beat the living shite out of it.

 

I bought my Tacoma used and it looks as though the bed was touched up w/ some rattle can paint, think I might have to redo it