Composite Durability

how strong are the composite beds? I ratchet strapped a Mattress and box spring today and traveled a couple miles. The composite on the edge of the tailgate (tailgate was down when hauling) now has 3 indentations and the plastic scratched off a bit. Didn’t think that light load would do any damage especially since I can stand on it with no issues. I know it’s a truck, I’m not really upset just curious on others experiences.

 

I gouged up the tailgate plastic pretty good loading my welder in and out but the bed itself is plenty durable, the bed mat helps too.

 

They've been around since 2005.

Take a look in the 2nd gen section.

There is occasional damage, usually from something accidental or careless.

There are several tricks for securing loads, loading/unloading. But in general, just use it.

If your activity marks the composite, just think what it would have done to a painted surface.

 

Metal dents and scratches too. At least the composite bed doesn’t rust. It’s suppose to be as strong as steel.

This I do know. With a few thousand 2nd and 3rd Gen Tacomas on the road, I haven’t heard of any beds failing.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/composite-bed-wearing-on-bed-mounts.543262/

 

Just be mindful of metal edges. Usually heavy metal objects carelessly loaded causes problems. I gouged out some of my wheel well loading a metal cabinet. Had I been paying attention it wouldn't have happened.

 

I’ve gouged up the tailgate plastic with my loading ramps, but that’s it. I have the Toyota rubber mat that protects the floor of the bed, but it’s primary purpose is the keep things from sliding around. Otherwise I think the composite bed is pretty durable.

 

The bed is a composite material. The tailgate cap is regular plastic... which is low stength. Composite resin/fiberglass is very tough.

 

Literally had a ton of pavers in the bed. Cant even tell now.

 

I threw bunch of everything in back of my old 2008 logs, metal, motorcycles, etc.ect. When I traded the bed looked decent. I would imagine a metal bed without a bed liner would be so beat down it would of gone to junkyard.

 

The good thing is that composite is easier to repair than metal. Mix up some resin and fiberglass powder and fill in any gouges.

 

Yes. After I looked again it is just the cheaper easily replaceable cap. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

I jumped down from the bed sides to the tailgate and heard some pretty nasty cracks... I'm only 180 pounds. But so far the beds been ok.

 

At my work we had 3 of them ruined from lumber racks installed and not being tied into the frame. Cracked completely down each corner. They bolted some angle iron in to keep the sides from flopping around and then drilled a hole and ran tube down to the frame at both ends to take the lumber rack's weight off the bed rails. These trucks only carried laddes on the racks as we have big flatbeds for actual building materials.

 

I know this an old thread but it is as close to what I was looking for. How well do these beds on the 2nd gen hold a camper shell / canopy? They weigh about 180 lbs. Just not sure of the integrity of the bed rails?

 

I stuck a lightweight rubber mat on the floor of my bed after sick of stuff sliding around on that greasy ribbed floor ...too lazy to secure them proper. They now stay put where ever i drive and when i need them.

 

Great