How many with camper shells running bed stiffeners?

Just picked up a used Ranch topper for my 2019 LB and debating the need (there is a hell of a gap between the tailgate and bedside) Kind of a mixed bag of opinions on the bed stiffener thread. No long-term off-roading, just some rutted forest roads for camping from time to time.

 

Pretty much everyone is installing bed stiffeners. Caps add weight to the sides of the rear of box and cause them to spread (over time). I'm still waiting for my RSI EvoA to come then I will be installing mine. Some require that you loose the D rings, I got a type that allows me to keep mine. So yes, recommend bed stiffeners !

 

If it’s just going to be the topper I’d say you don’t need it. If it was a requirement then it would be part of the install process. If you started adding weight onto the top of the topper likes RTT then I’d say get them then.

 

No shell on my Taco (yet) though I am planning on getting one. I added a set of All Pro Stiffeners last month. My truck has seen a fair amount of light-moderate four-wheeling and my Drivers-side bed-side was slightly out of alignment. The bed stiffeners corrected that.

As far as the gap in your tailgate goes, I had that as well. With the tailgate open you should be able to slide the tailgate left or right a little to re-center it.

 

You'll get 100 members here telling you not to spend $100 on bed stiffeners, but the same members will praise you for spending $4000 on new wheels and tires.