How durable are composite beds really

It's a Tacoma. So you use it like a Tacoma.
It's not going to haul 45,000lbs. Because it's a Tacoma.

Never heard of a failure with it. That being said, you do what you want.
If you want a heavier metal bed, then get that.

There is flatbed ute trays, that you can run flat or put a canopy on.
Mfg's typically don't have that standard because such a thing:
1. is not going to appeal to everyone
2. is going to cost more; and every manufacturer is about lowering production cost down as much as possible, down to the nut and bolt

besides that, stock bed has multiple options to change it
-rubber mat
-bedrug
-decked
etc

 

Looking for problems, you will always find them. Never had a problem with a composite bed in a quarter ton truck.

 

This is my second 'Taco. Had a 2nd Gen prior. Took a little time to get used to the composite bed, but in the end, absolutely nothing wrong with it.

It's a truck bed and can be treated as such. Either fawn over it and keep it spic n span, or use it hard like it's capable of being used.

 

Everyone is approaching this thread wrong. Just from his tone you can tell the OP is unstable. Data and science won’t persuade this deeply angry and distrustful person. He’s basically a flat earther and that boils down to a distrust of the entire scientific institution (when it’s convenient for their narrative, but I digress…)

Someone hurt this OP somewhere along the way, therapy is only the first thing they need.

Having said that, I’d love to be a fly on the wall when someone tells this guy that the only reason your cell phone works is because General Relativity is wholly real and measurable.

 

This much (.......................)

 

Had an f-150 with an aluminum bed at work, tore open like a soda can. Fun truck to beat on.

 

Main downside is when you slip on a wet composite bed, fall back towards the cab, and your elbow smashes out the rear window. Ask me how I know.

 

The whole point of composites is that they can be precisely designed to have certain strength properties, often at significant weight savings. I’d be shocked if they hadn’t benchmarked other metal midsize truck beds when they designed the composite. As far as chipping and scratching I would think whatever caused it would cause a similar result with a metal bed. Ever see a metal bed without a liner that actually gets used? They don’t usually look too good..

Would like to see pics of your chips though

 

really durable

 

Bed mat............

 

Extremely durable from my experience.

I’ve used it 100s of times. It doesn’t look pretty but it’s not dented or cracked. Some surface scratches but it’s a truck bed.

 

Bed mat is awesome idea except for one thing.

It doesn’t allow you to “slide” items in.

 

Very true. I love my bed mat when I have my toolboxes in the bed. Hate it when I am trying to slide lumber in the bed.

 

I’ve drilled through them a bunch of times and it is only a few millimeters thick.

 

A friend of mine learned that it’s a bad idea to ArmorAll the inside of the bed. He got three broken bibs on the bedside from that DA idea.

 

Whaaaat? I thought it would be a bit thicker.

 

If you look at the bottom it's ribbed for strength. So not just a 1/8" sheet.

Although I'm surprised too, thought it was more like 3/16".

But hell, the bed can handle more weight than the leaf springs.

 

Ok serious question I appreciate all your guys arguments of saying composite is stronger, how come the 2500/3500 even 1500 of the domestics who have literally tons more payload than us all use metal (well let’s not talk about ford and the aluminum but you know what I mean) genuinely curious

 

because the folks that purchase them still use flip phones

 

I've been tossing hundreds of pounds of gear and tools in and out of it every weekend for years now. Zero issues, with a bed matt it basically looks untouched if I hose it out. I can't imagine the abuse it would take to actually break it. Likely way over payload or tossing anvils horn down from the second story.