Anyone else’s bed cracking here?

seen a few others cracking in the same place.

 

Probably has to do with the way you strapped you spare tire and wheeled
https://www.tacomaworld.com/posts/19945199/

 

Hah yeah that didn’t help but I’ve seen like three other tacos with the same cracks. on both sides.

 

Really....you’ve seen three....?

 

Yes? Figured lots are cracked and people just never noticed.

 

@Mad Mark . Get you some bed stiffeners . They'll help hold the bed sides to the bottom of the bed reducing the chance of cracking more. Multiple vendors carry these for around $120-130.

 

Seems pretty exceptional to me. That piece of the bed is all aluminum and aluminum can tear but it requires quite a bit of force. You'd have to be swinging on the bed rail like a gorilla.

Agreed, this will solve your problem.

 

Didn’t really wanna drill holes in my bed. But I’m thinking of getting some now or making some. I’m for sure going to drill a 1/8” hole at the end of the crack so I doesn’t go any further.

 

I would. It’s definitely worth it.

 

Bed stiffeners

 

You’re worried about cracks in a notoriously weak bed yet hesitant to drill 3 holes in aluminum - to attach reinforcement? I’m misunderstanding the direction here.

 

Exactly. That crack is literally why the stiffeners exist.

 

Just a minor point, but that is actually steel.

 

What’s there to not understand about not wanting to drill holes in a 40k truck?

 

I wonder what Toyota has to say about these cracking beds and what will they look like in 10 years especially the ones without reinforcements

 

The proportion of your hesitancy when compared to the size and location of the holes. It’s your truck so whatevs G.

 

The two I saw with cracks are the shop trucks at the place I work and both are cracked on both sides. Looks like mine just worse. They have been getting beat to crap since new and the are 08’s.

 

The bed stiffeners are to prevent cracking with high bed side loads, which is the problem you are having. They are the solution. Total Chaos has the best design IMO, as they extend up the furthest and have a low profile in the base bed load area, and the raised support does not extend out passed the wheel wheels in the bed, so they don’t affect carrying long items with the tailgate down like some designs. Drilling the holes is easy, you bolt them on and drill the hole in the existing hole of the stiffener, it acts as a guide, so you cannot screw it up and they cover the hole you drill.

I actually didn’t even want stiffeners, but needed them for my RTT. They are a great addition with much improved rear tie down points while also increasing the strength of the bed. Now I’d put them on in a heartbeat just for the improved functionality. If you get a well designed set like Total Chaos I don’t see why you’d ever take it off so the hole would be a non-issue.

 

Total chaos definitely has the best design. Hands down. The drilling is very minimal, and it's pretty much impossible to drill it wrong. The holes in the bed stiffeners guide you. So bolt it on and drill the rest out. YouTube too if you'd like. Super easy. I understand the nervousness, but trust me, you'll be filling those holes with grade 8 bolts and making it even stronger. It'll be good for your bed, not bad.

 

Sorry, but I disagree about their stiffeners. The corner, where all the load goes, is not meaty at all, esp with that big tie down hoop. They are not continuously welded. Also, the height is completely unnecessary. The loads are more or less zero for the intended purpose above the second bolt hole.

For me, I would recommend CaliRaised, At The Helm, or RagoFab. Just my opinion.