Bed Stiffeners: overkill or useful?

I’m currently adding an overland rack to my 2017 SR, and came across bed stiffeners like these: https://www.extremeterrain.com/redr...CfOd68rXizcg7GPxMK0aAmj7EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
The rack I’m adding is ~85 pounds, and I have a tonneau on there too. I don’t plant on adding a camper too it, but might use it as an anchor point for a hammock. Considering the weight I’ll have, should I invest in bed stiffeners, or are they overkill for what I’m doing?

 

They are not overkill. Considering the composite bed and the metal bed sides will split no matter what, cause they are separate pieces. The stiffers will protect the composite bed, but the bed rails an sides may separate from the composite. Especially if you are off roading or just going over rough terrain. Believe me when I say I have driven over smoother trails than I have on Los Angeles city streets.

 

Bedside reinforcements are useful on a stock truck. I had a shell on my truck for years, my besides started cracking and getting pushed out. Used a ratchet strap to pull the bed in and had it welded. Cracked again with no weight. Ended up replacing entire bed.

 

Bed stiffeners also add several useful holes to attach cables/ropes/etc.

 

They're useful. If for nothing else, just for peace of mind.

The composite bed is strong, but not as strong laterally as a metal one. Your rack, and anything you add to it, is going to sit on your bed rails which weren't really designed to have heavy loads placed on them and then have to beat the dynamic weight when driving or off-roading. Some people reported having their bedsides knocked out of whack with tents, toppers, and racks because they elected to forgo the bed stiffeners. I don't know how frequent of a problem that is, but I wasn't willing to find out and added my own stiffeners.

 

Use em. I was told they werent needed for my camper shell. Well guess what, yes they were!

 

I made my own, added removable bike mounts as well

 

Either way they’re cheap insurance, might as well. Plus the additional tie down points have proven quite useful.

 

i have a canopy and the bed stiffeners are worth it and made a noticeable 'felt' difference in the rigidity of my truck. i highly recommend them. i went with the victory offroad stiffeners because they were on sale at the time and one of the less expensive, and they are one of the lower profile. i do not think it makes a difference which brand.

install was easy and took about an hour from unpacking to putting tools away. i am a slow worker though and others can likely install them in half the time.

 

While you are at it make your own rack. Dont buy cheap chinese junk

 

And double secret while youre at it, dont be a pussy, make your own truck.

 

I am a little slow. Where do the bed stiffeners go? Front of bed or at the tailgate?

 

Rear. Tailgate ends up all but touching them. They are intended to reinforce the most vulnerable and flimsiest part of the bed-wall.

 

Thank you.

 

I made a mistake by not installing stiffeners when I got my RTT and bedrack. After couple of years I discovered small cracks on both sides of my bed, so I ordered some and installed.

IMO it’s a must if you are putting any kind of weight on your bed rails. I honestly thought stiffeners were a gimmick, boy was I wrong, ha.

 

Get ‘‘em and install ‘‘em and forget about it, extends the life of the bed no matter what your usage is.

 

Definitely add them if you do anything beyond just driving the truck to work and back, even if you don't add any weight. My bed is empty most of the time and I noticed increased rigidity from the rear after adding them as well, which was a pleasant surprise. IMO Total Chaos are best since they go all the way to the top, are relatively low profile and have perfect fitment.

 

You noticed increased rigidity just from driving around with empty bed?

 

From adding the stiffeners, yes. Was surprised as hell by it too. Did not expect to feel anything differently in the way the truck drove just from bolting these on, but am in no way upset about it.

 

Got these same total chaos bed stiffeners 4 years ago, been offroading with a shell ever since and havent noticed any problems. Love the extra tie downs

(Also notice how high these brackets go compared to other brands)