Weight on bed walls

I’m not sure if this is the right place to ask this and I’ve searched and haven’t really found an answer. I asked my dealer today but they have no idea. I am wondering how much weight the bed walls can take with bed racks. I really would like a rack that bolts to the bed but can not find one. I have a 2023 sr5 and basicly just want a rack to put a rooftop tent on for camping in the mountains. for any of you using racks how much weight do you carry? I am looking at the rci 12 inch hd rack with a smitybuilt overland rtt. I won’t be doing any heavy duty off-roading. Basicly just gravel roads. Thanks for any info.

 

Many suggest the aftermarket bed stiffeners when even using a fiberglass topper, as the bedsides seem to separate. I need to put mine on still, I’m not risking it.

 

Welcome to the forum. My RTT weighs 120 lbs, I’m just over 300 and the wife is somewhere around 130, that approximately 550 lbs. I use three Front Runner rails.

 

If you put anything on the bed rails of the Tacoma, bed stiffeners are a must. Otherwise you end up with cracks where Toyota already knows are the weak spots, were the relief cuts were made.

I made mistake of not installing bed stiffeners and ended up with cracks. I have RTT and steel bed rack.

 

I have had, at the same time:

a truck cap: 200 lbs
along with an external truck lumber rack: 160 lbs
and boat on top of that lumber rack: 150 lbs

Many times.

I have experienced no problems.

There is some good info here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/brand-new-building-a-ladder-rack-advice.64974/

 

Had a topper on my ‘03 for over 15 years, no cracks, no issues. I have a topper on this truck, (‘18) no issues so far. Had it only 2 years tho. I know these trucks aren’t made like they used to be. Should I get bed stiffeners on this 3rd gen?

 

It is all about how the weight is distributed....
All along the 3.(or 4) rails - say 600 lbs distributed rtt vs vs a point load on one side.
A ponit load will buckle the sheet metal.

All rails are just sheet metal- and they are full of perforations (stamped holes).

Also, mind your static, vs dynamic loads (parked vs going down the road). These are NOT the same thing...

 

Brute force fab used to make one that bolted to the frame bolts for the bed. Seems they don’t any more - at least it’s not on their website anymore.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I will order a set of bed stiffeners. While I was looking for info before I had seen Brute force fab had made what I was looking for in the past. I liked the looks of their rack. Bummer they don’t offer it anymore. Odd no one makes one like that.

 

I too have been searching for a roof rack option for a similar application that you describe. Not the fanciest looking thing, but sure looks functional:
https://rackitinc.com/pages/3000-series-camper-shell-steel-or-aluminum-pipe-rack

They've got a video showing the stiffeners for the rack, but bed stiffeners might still be a good idea:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ja8nVREJlA

 

I bought a set of bed stiffeners. I just need to install them now.