Pics of your SB with bed extender in use.

For those with SBs. How about some pics of using your truck with bed extender. Wondering how you enjoy using the bed extender (custom or otherwise) for things like lumber, firewood, etc.!

I'm not intending this to be a LB vs SB thread. Just wondering, for those with SBs and extender....has the combo met your expectations for using your truck...as a truck...when it comes to hauling big loads?

I looked for a similar thread, didn't find one.

 

I don't have any photos of the truck loaded up with the extender in place, but I have used it a few times. The main reason I got it was to transport my snowblower in the winter. My OEM tonneau cover takes up enough of the bed space that the tailgate won't close with it in the bed (this wouldn't be an issue if I didn't have the tonneau).

It's been good to give me back the space the tonneau eats up and give me some piece of mind that there is some resistance to items falling off of the back of the bed. It's not sturdy enough that I'd trust large amount of weight (firewood, rocks, etc) not to fall out and rip the bed extender off the truck with it.

While it is good giving you a division in the bed to separate items and/or keep items from flying around, it does eat up space if you're hauling long items and you don't want to leave the extender out. For example today I brought my weed whacker over to my Mom's house and the extender was simply in the way.

So that being said, I think it's good if you have specific uses in mind, but overall it's something that I've found to be a bit more of a hinderance than I thought it would be. Having said that, I wish I hadn't paid quite so much for mine, but I had a specific use and need for it and wanted something new-in-box. I would recommend upgrading to the AMP quick release mounts compared to the angle mounts that they supply in the Toyota/AMP kit.

 

Mine has been super useful. Have hauled lumber, a Rototiller and other garden tools, helped family move, throw my bicycle in the bed, etc. Great tool to have.

Don't have a pic of it in use...how about burried? Lol, jk, it went in the cab for this haul.

 

McFly, interesting to hear that you don't think it would support a load of firewood. Anyone else have an opinion/experience on this? Kind of defeats the purpose of the bed extender, in my mind at least.

 

The thing is that the design of the extender is a plastic knob that goes into a metal mount that is bolted into the bed. The bolts used aren't particularly large (the basic AMP hardware uses small self tapping screws, Toyota supplies bolts) and I wouldn't trust a large amount of weight. I mean ultimately, maybe I'm crazy and it can support more, but I would do a bunch of testing before I trusted it on the road.

https://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/xlarge/mpa-74805-01a_xl.jpg[img]

If you look at the middle bar in this photo you can see the black plastic knob that I'm talking about. I simply question how much force it would take to shear the plastic. I would use it as a last ditch safety (ie if you secure your load and the straps break free / come loose / etc) rather than a first line of defense from movement. Maybe I'm crazy and someone who has actually pushed the extender can comment.

 

Won't find many pics. Most short bed users don't need a truck anyways.

 

I desperately wanted a long bed, off road, manual, had to take a short bed cause I was not giving up the manual!

 

Ok, understandable. Did you consider the TRD Sport 4x4 AC 6MT. It's what I have, I don't OR but I still have 4x4 and the stick.

 

Well I didn't want this to get into a LB vs SB but that's cool! Believe me, if I didn't have a kid I'd get the AC sport in manual.

Butttt. I do have a kid. Want a long bed. Need 4 doors. And hate automatic. My choices are driving me insane.

I was hoping this bread would convince me a short bed with extender was as useful as a long bed. Wishful thinking?

 

My last 3 Tacomas were AC-OR Manuals, I just had no desire for the Sport either so I had to give up my bed space and take a DCSBOR

 

The backs seats actually are not as uncomfortable as most people try to make them sound. For shorter trips, average sized people and kids they are decent. You'll have issues if the front passenger or driver are unreasonable with how they manage their leg room space.

 

Did you upgrade your suspension on any of you're previous trucks?

 

Outside of getting the TSB Rear Springs on my 08, no, but they were pretty capable trucks.

 

For you OP, I'm not a SB but you can see how I use mine.

 

lol troll

 

Would you put a heavy load in there? Lumber/firewood? Etc?

 

Absolutely, I haul kitchen appliances for my dad all the time. Me, 1 passengers and these 2 machines are around 600lbs of total payload. I could fit a third machine with the bed extender deployed which would bring my payload up to 800lbs.

 

I had a Frontier that came with the extender - I took it off and it remained off until I sold it - and I found that bed and its hardware more stout than what I have with a Taco - but even then I felt it either took up space, was too easy to steal, or didn't feel as secure and infinitely adjustable as an open tailgate and good straps. Imho other than for use as a bed divider - which has its uses - as an extender, i.e., with the gate open and the extender deployed to extend the load space to me I would just as soon use straps.

 

They can handle plenty of weight. I use mine all the time.

 

Get the LB, lol...........