Bed Stiffeners - What do they do? Do I need them?

Given how easy it is to access the backside by removing the taillights I don’t see nutserts as being worth the downgrade in strength. The bed stiffeners are stronger than the web they bolt through so those bolts are what marry the weaker web to your stiffeners.

 

The included hardware works just fine. Don't over think it.

 

Thoughts on a No Drill bolt on option?

Holes still available in the stiffener if you want (and obviously this is stronger/more effective), but by capturing the nut at the top of the bed you could in theory add additional strength to the bed without the need to drill.

Thoughts?

 

You reduce it to a single point of failure that has to take the entire load rather than spreading it over several bolts. I know some are reluctant to drill holes in a “perfectly good truck” but if that were the case it wouldn’t need this hardware or any other upgrades that require drilling. If you need the hardware install it correctly. If you can’t do that then you probably don’t need it in the first place. My .02.

 

I don't disagree with your reasoning at all. Just curious to know if it was something the "No Drill" crowd would prefer.

 

I could see my cap, bed movement while driving in rear view mirror before installing braces. After install, its gone.

 

Installed 1320 bed stiffeners and very happy with them