Bed stiffeners

He just wants to pretend there is no crack.

 

Found that one with a quick google too. This information isn’t hard to find.

 

Take a look at the picture, then take a look at your truck bed. There is a piece of sheet metal that has been added with a semicircle shape that is completely absent from mine. See pic. I’m not at all convinced.

 

You mean this semi-circle? That is present on my 2020 and was on my 2016???

 

That looks nothing like the picture above. So, no.

 

Either you're a troll, or just a moron. We get you think they're a scam, move on and do something productive with your time. You're about as bad as an atheist worrying about what other people choose to believe!

 

I get that you don’t like when people disagree with you, but the OP is asking whether stiffeners are worth the money. I am weighing in that they are a marketing gimmick and a waste of money. So my posts are very relevant to the OP’s request for information. On the other hand, your ad hominem attacks against me show that you have nothing intelligent to say on this issue. Try to relax a little. This is an Internet forum. Few of us really know each other, and the world is full of opinions. Try to voice your opinion and let others voice theirs without slinging insults.

 

How about now?

 

That still looks different to me. Your pics look like a cutout notch, whereas the pic above looks like an overlay of sheet metal.

 

Not sure if any Office fans on here, but you remind me of the scene where Pam gives Creed the pictures and asks him to find the differences. OP should start a poll asking if the pictures are similar or not.

 

All you have done is deny evidence and make shit up. The photos above are identical, and no sheet metal was added.

 

Those two pics are virtually identical, because it looks like a overlay to you doesn't make it so lol.

As far as your anecdotal experience (which yes I realize all the shared pics of cracked bedsides and bowing out are also anecdotal), how much does a topper weigh, and what kind of offroading did you do? I'm gonna guess significantly less than lots of the owners here who put on a heavy duty bedrack, a rooftop tent, or a tent camper shell like GFC, in addition to other items they may strap onto the sides/top.

I had a bedrack and RTT, together those weighed about 350lbs. I would also add a hi-lift onto the bedrack, as well as a shovel and axe. Then I switched to a GFC, which is about 275-300lbs, and plan to add an awning which is another 60-80lbs depending on the brand I go with. All aforementioned possible mods all require you to mount the items and any accessories above the bedsides, and some of them mounted out towards the sides, some at roof level.

It seems pretty reasonable that the extra weight could cause deformities or damage if left unchecked, especially if offroading. And I don't mean washboard roads, lots of people on here do some serious rock crawling that gets weight thrown in all directions, at some very odd angles. While I agree that a camper shell or bed rack can act as a brace, it can also act in the opposite manner if it's loaded with weight on top that is pushing the camper/rack down, and thus pushing the bedsides out.

Ultimately, if it helps give people a little piece of mind, why do you care what people spend their money on? It's been shown to help at least a few people on this forum, so you can't say they're entirely useless.

 

I’ve seen no compelling evidence, but I do have some ocean front property in Arizona I could sell you. It’s on sale today!

 

I couldn’t care less how you spend your money, but the OP cares and asked for opinions. I gave mine.

 

We use these, keeps the bed from knocking a hole in the wall.

2 Pieces of Black Adjustable Threaded Bed Frame Anti-Shake Tool, Headboard Stoppers，Bed stoppers ，Wall Bed headboard Anti-Shake Fixer to Prevent loosening, Easy to Install (1.1-2.5 inches)

$11 2 Pieces of Black Adjustable Threaded Bed Frame Anti-Shake Tool, Headboard Stoppers，Bed stoppers ，Wall Bed headboard Anti-Shake Fixer to Prevent loosening, Easy to Install (1.1-2.5"es)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KKS226V

 

I post in on these threads most of the times I come across them.

I am likely the most qualified person on this forum (an actual engineering professional with experience in situations very similar to this one), and I always recommend getting bed stiffeners, especially if you consistently offroad your truck on rough roads, or if you add anything that is supported by the bed rails (i.e. RTT's, racks, caps, etc.).

I don't have the time to retype what I have shared in numerous other bed stiffener threads, but your experiences and input do not match either real life experiences many have had, or any qualified persons interpretation of the situation. Your consistent assertions that they are a gimmick are simply demonstrably false.

 

Ah, yes. The “I know more than you” argument. Very convincing!

 

You qualify.

 

I shared one of many examples of the failures that stiffeners address and you refused to acknowledge they are identical images. It’s not even a matter of knowing more. It’s simple comprehension.