Bed Stiffeners and Camper Shells

I was browsing tw yesterday and came across a post about bed stiffeners. I wasn't really aware of them so I looked into what they do (obvious), what problems they fix/reasons that people install them.

I recently got a fiberglass camper (ARE V-series) installed on my 23 trdoffrd dclb, and this got me thinking that it may be a good idea to install bed stiffeners. I'm sure that the shell itself somewhat acts as a bed stiffener, but they are probably not mean to take uneven forces from the bottom where they meet the bed.

Do you think it would be a good idea to install bed stiffeners in this case? I plan on doing light offroading, and feel it might be a good idea to increase the stability of the bed with the shell installed.

 

FWIW, I have been running the same type top on my truck for 5 years now, w/o stiffners. No issues at all. Unless you are putting some serious weight on the top of that, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

$180 for TotalChaos stiffeners and you have more tie-down points to boot. Or RCI sells them or others ...

Cheap insurance.

 

Agreed. I think I might just install them

 

I don't even have a cab on my truck and I grabbed the stiffeners. Way better than having the bedsides splay out after a while and the rear of the truck felt stiffer after installing.

They're not just for weight, if you're planning to flex the truck out at all they're a good idea to keep everything aligned.

Total Chaos bed stiffeners, 2016-2019 driver side bed storage compartment and Charvonia Designs billet tie downs in my 21.

 

I noticed slight separation on my ‘16 after having various toppers and campers. Once that truck got totaled, and I bought my ‘23, I bought a pair and built my bed setup off of them. Reasonably cheap insurance policy IMO. I’ve spent for more on mods that do far less

 

What are the difference between extenders and stiffeners?

 

I meant stiffeners. The joys of multitasking at work.

Updated last post.

 

I'm running an OVRLND pop-up camper and it spends heaps of time off-pavement.
After seeing a buddy's Tundra, with a Go Fast camper, with a cracked bed, I pulled the trigger on bed-stiffeners.
After searching for options, I settled on the product linked below. These come with backing plates as well.

https://lfdoffroad.com/products/tacoma-bed-stiffener

Cheers

 

Exactly my thoughts. And whenever people see my bed stiffeners, they always ooh and ah over them.

 

I was a bit bummed when I realized my 23 didn't have the driver's side storage compartment. Now that I realized it can be added,

 

How would one go about adding the driver's side storage compartment? Wouldn't you have to take out the driver's side of the "bed liner"? Seems like the cost may negate the benefits. Or am I missing something?

 

You just cut a hole, drill some holes, pop in some rivnuts and then bolt in the box.

 

Ha! I was totally misunderstanding. A do-it-yourself mod. I just might do that. I like my storage box on the passenger side but its so small. I'd prefer either two boxes or one long one and get rid of the outlet.

Thanks for the pics.

 

i ran a camper shell without bed stiffeners for maybe 6months with offroad trips here and there. Wasnt really convinced on needing bed stiffeners but saw a good new in box deal so I figured why not. Picked up the TC as I like how slim the design is. Doesnt get in the way of my fridge slide and it also gives me some new tie down points. Easy to install and I like the way it looks. Overall I would say go for it, might as well be safer than sorry.

 

I guess you can if it helps you sleep better.... But I've had a SnugTop on mine (No stiffeners) for 3 years now and zero issues.