Bed Stiffeners really a must with a Shell?

I've seen all the YouTubers installing their bed stiffeners from "you name the manufacturer" stating how important they are for Tacomas because of the composite bed. The general consensus of the videos is that over time the additional weigh of the shell and off-road use will weaken the bed to the point of failure.

But, I've never seen an actual bed failure, and many of the YouTubers are installing free product that they are promoting for the manufacturers.

So what is the truth?

 

I've been thinking about this. I just installed a shell. My thinking is the shell (fiberglass) will actually help the bed stay tighter. I put a bunch of stuff in the bed all the time and don't want any stiffiners in the way. Even though some are low profile the higher profile ones are going to keep bed more stiff. I can see it being more needed if you are doing some heavy offroading

I'm not putting them on but I'm not taking this up or down narly stuff for fun

 

I do not have a bed top on my Tacoma. But the tailgate gaps next to my taillights were off on both sides (much wider at the top) I built my own bed braces and as soon as I bolted them up the gaps on each side of my tailgate were even and have stayed that way. Just my .02

 

When I was shopping for a shell, the A.R.E. dealer did not recommend the models with frameless rear glass if I was planning to do any offroading. I guess they had experience with beds flexing and cracking the shell.

 

I noticed a significant improvement when I added bed stiffeners. Just exiting my driveway (when I lived on a dirt road), there was an off camber spot where every day it felt like the bed was going to tip off the truck and it was a loud noticeable rattle. Double checked all my bed bolts, even removed the bolts and re-installed to ensure they were tight. Nothing helped. Added the bed stiffeners and it's noticeably tighter, less movement, less noise. The bed still has some independent flex from the cab, that's normal, but it feels much "tighter". Very happy with the addition. The extra tie down points are an added bonus.

 

Get Total Chaos Bed Stiffeners.

 

This has been my experience too. I'm not opposed to adding bed stiffeners but in two years I haven't noticed any problems with bedrail flexing. My off-roading is pretty light though.

 

Cheap insurance, imo.
Check the gap between the taillight and tailgate.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/should-i-get-bed-stiffeners.633366/

 

I'd say it depends. If you flex your truck much then yes, I'd get them. If you plan to put a rack on your shell and actually carry stuff then yes, I'd definitely get them. If you don't wheel your truck much or don't carry a load, then they're probably not needed, at least until you start noticing some spread (differences in the gaps on the tailgate seems to be the most common). I understand why Toyota went with the composite bed, but honestly it's crappy compared to a real bed.

Mine were spreading from carrying junk on top of my ARE, primarily kayaks. I bought the ATH version for the same reasons as Jeff.

 

I have an Alu Cab shell which is lighter and I think a lot stronger than a fiberglass shell but I still got some. Honestly I bought them more for the additional tie down spots.