Tacoma Bed Stiffener Essential

Realistically, all the products on the market probably exceed the needs that we have for these trucks, but I get bent out of shape (pun intended) when people say TC is strongest because it goes all the way up bed.

 

My first thought was that I have some sugar pills to sell those guys. Stiffness in the rear end will come from a combination of boxing frame, replacing hangers, adding a cross brace.

 

I made a set of my own. Its really just a gussetted l bracket no matter who's you buy. And I had the metal extra from another project

 

I went with the 4Wheel Parts bed stiffener because I didn’t want anything blocking the bed.

 

This is the way

 

Also. For the official scientific record -- I installed my stiffeners a few weeks ago (see earlier comments)... And after running with an RTT and other weight on the bed since late 2015, and being rear-ended twice in traffic accidents, my bed still had perfect 90 degree angles. So bed stiffeners are basically an aesthetic option that give you more tie-downs and a place to put a whip antenna. In my limited experience.

 

Often carrying boats on the rack and in the bed, I went with the Cali Raised. May not be necessary, but not expensive and probably won't hurt -- just had to trim the bed mat a bit.

 

Anyone recently order 4WP bed stiffeners and receive them?
I placed an order 4/29 and never received shipping status, the website was updated with a discontinued note. Called two days ago and CS said that it was and said they’d credit back…now the website has them available again.

 

Same happened to me. I ordered them said out of stock. If site says they are available maybe call support again and give another shot. Mine were held up in the ports.

 

If you decide to call, let us know what you find out…I’m going to hold out a little longer until I order an external mount. My alucab is still in transit so no real concern right now

 

Website says it's discontinued. What a bumber.

 

No.

 

I already have mine. Looks like you’re the man to keep everyone else in the loop on availability.

 

Ha, reading comprehension. I guess I’ll
Keep an eye out on the site

 

I’ve had a set of total chaos bed stiffners on my truck for over 8 years and they are holding strong

 

Anyone install total chaos bed stiffeners with a Bakflip MX4 tonneau cover? I wanted to confirm there is no interference at the top of the stiffener with the tonneau bracket. I'm installing these proactively as I plan to switch to a bed rack and/or camper long term.

 

Have an MX4 and recently installed a set with no issue.

 

I ordered cheap ones that look just like the ones linked to on Amazon, but ordered from walmart instead cause they were cheaper@ $36.79 fast shipping included. It looks like there are a bunch of nearly identical copies, probably all made in prc from the same producer, sold under various generic-ish names like genrics, samman, munirator, seblaff, etc.

I would pay a bit more for made in USA, Canada, or Europe, Japan, Taiwan, etc. but not 5x as much for something that is basically a shaped piece of metal, and not that crucial or likely to have a defect in a way that matters and isn’t obvious. Very unlikely really needing them for stress on the bed, mainly just want to use the tie-off points to use with an alternate idea for securing my tonneau cover and other things.

If i thought i really needed a brand name and was ready to be spending over around $170, i would just get the $275 Canadian stainless steel for around $200 US at the current exchange rate.

 

Soooooo...

Until yesterday, I had a SmartCap, Decked Drawer System, hardshell RTT, and various overlanding/offroad gear in the bed.

Sold the SmartCap, swapped it to another truck.

Looked at my bed, and...indeed, it had gotten slightly misshapen after bounding off road with all that weight.

So, some of you are saying bed stiffeners are BS. Others say they are a good idea for the advertised purpose of keeping the bed from getting knocked out of true (which mine has).

The TC ones don't look especially burly. The Lil B ones look pretty stout, but yeah, gussets man. Still not convinced.

What's a boy to do?

 

I don’t know that you need something overly burly. They are mounting into a composite bed not holding up the Golden Gate Bridge.