What’s behind this panel in the bed?

Would anyone know what’s behind these panels? I have an Ultraflex tonneau that I added the rail drains to in the back. However the drain hoses were getting in the way this weekend when I was shoveling a few loads of mulch out of the bed. I’m thinking of drilling holes to route the hoses but I don’t know if I’ll poke anything sensitive or where exactly water might wind up. Any help is appreciated.

 

Those panels are metal though (rust potential if drilled through), so my other thought was to route the hoses over here on the top of this ledge. Where it’s the composite material. Opinions?

 

You may want to take your tail lights off to get a good look behind there but if I remember correctly that's the same pillar you drill through when mounting the bed rail stiffeners sold here so you should be fairly safe depending on where you drill.

 

There's nothing of note behind those bump outs. People drill out that area for bed stiffeners all the time.

You can pop your taillights off and look for yourself. Other than a small brace or two, that's all dead air.

 

Good idea. Thanks for the info and the suggestion

 

Just the tail light area.

The remove the top and bottom (or second from the bottom) bolts in your picture. Then, pulling backward on the light will expose that area.


If you drill the stanchion, just paint it / seal it and it will be fine. The stanchions are commonly drilled when installing bed stiffeners.

 

Great. Thanks.

 

I would call 3 identical opinions in 2 minutes a consensus. Thank you

 

Yeah. Watch out or you'll get the idea that bed stiffeners might be in your future.

 

Had to google stiffeners and their benefits. Prolly not in my future but I appreciate the warning!