Anyone using Bed Stiffeners?

I had a bed rack + tent combo weighing 400lbs for 0-9k miles and now I’m sitting at 550lbs with a composite topper-camper like structure. I’m at 13k miles with that. Driving mixed on road and off road use. I’m starting to notice the top part of the bed splaying out. Not so much by eye but by measurement.

Should I anticipate this to get worse? I would have imagined that the structure of the topper, bolted onto the bed rails, would have held the bed together. It seemed more structurally rigid than the former setup.

I know this is a problem with the Tacoma composite beds but thought better of the larger Tundra. Good idea to install and use some stiffeners? Any recommendations from those of you running? Are all similar at getting the job done?

 

a few options out there. I have them (Rago) but since it has been winter here I have not installed yet, but will do so before towing/camping season. A good idea to add them IMO.

 

i have some victory 4x4's installed on mine. i've had them on for about...1 year since i also run a bed rack + RTT year round.

 

I think they're a good investment to help keep things square under heavy load and torquing while on and off-road. Even without the extra load on the bed, enough heavy off-roading can shift things around back there. They're relatively inexpensive and easy to install yourself, so it wouldn't hurt to add it just for the peace of mind. There's plenty of bed support options if you search. A simple L-shaped support is effective without narrowing the entry to the bed. I have a set I'll also be installing before I hit any dirt.

 

Had the rago fab ones on my tundra before I sold it, noticed the same thing after a few months of heavy use and just a shell + rod racks uptop. Cant say enough positive things about rago fab and they worked with the decked system!

 

Thanks to all of you. Glad I’m not alone in having this issue. Prefer it wasn’t but oh well. I’ll have to measure between a couple of the offerings and see which fits in the space I need. As far as I can tell there aren’t really mechanical differences between the current offerings.

 

What measurements do you have between the before and after? Did you measure in the same ambient temperature? Pics of your setup?

 

Lets see some pics.
If i remember correctly, somebody here bought a set f those and they did fit very well.

 

got a bit of rust on the top from normal usage of dragging stuff over it. still structurally sound.

 

Look nice! My Rago fit perfect and I have zero complaints. Went on easy just like the video described.

 

I have the Total Chaos bed stiffeners on my 2.5 Gen... put on before the bed rack and RTT. also provides additional tie-down points

 

If @TOTAL CHAOS made bed stiffeners, for the 3rd gen, I would buy them from them without a doubt

 

Rago:

 

https://www.chaosfab.com/product/2007-2021-Toyota-Tundra-Bed-Stiffeners-48677

 

Not offered for the 3rd gen

 

True....

 

After the first Baja peninsula run, the bedsides have definitely spread about +/- 1”

I would like something like this

 

That looks amazing. Very stout. I’d absolutely run something like this too, even if it meant having to step over the bar to get into the bed.

Once a composite bed like ours has spread, can it be brought back to square?

 

We'll reply back once I chat with the team regarding this.

I'll definitely keep everyone in the loop

 

UPDATE:

Due to the design of the 3rd Gen Tundra Bed being all composite with no metal channel, and not having a smooth surface close to the tailgate, it would require more holes drilled into the bed to mount the stiffeners.

Our R&D team at TC decided that it wasn't worth potentially weakening the bed to then strengthen it back up.

Thanks all!

 

Rago has my business and gets my vote. 100% satisfied and would recommend for Gen3 owners. Fits perfect and no issues or concerns.

 

This is a very interesting take. For those hauling on overland style rigs did your team determine the strength gains were low?

 

I just ordered the Pakrax stiffeners.

https://pakrax.com/collections/toyota-tundra/products/tundra-bedside-stiffeners-gen-2-3

I'm hoping the Gen 2 and 3 bit in the title is correct, and not the 2007 -2021 bit!

I'll report back when I install them.

I do plan to fabricate a back plate to sandwich the composite bed so there's a bit more meat for the stiffeners to grab onto.

 

Yes, we did some testing and determined it wasn't worth the potential gains

 

What is now considered the Gen 2.5 was once called the Gen 3. Might see if you can cancel your order so you dont have to hack them up or send them back.

 

Thanks for the heads up!

 

You saved me some time! Thanks!

I called Pakrax and the owner definitely is labeling the 2.5 gen, a 3rd gen. He refunded my purchase easy enough though. I'm bummed because I liked the idea of the lower tie down option.

 

Glad you got your money back before it was a hassle Also looks like he has updated the webpage to specify 2nd gen and 2.5 gen.

Have you considered the Rago mounts? I bought some stuff from them years ago when I had a Tacoma. The quality was good and their customer service at the time was also good. Looks like you could fit some tie down hooks thru the stiffeners. It would be nice if they had a hole down low, but you could put a D ring at the lower bed mount as well. Not sure i'd want to drill a hole thru the brand new stiffener and compromise the power coat, but that's also an option.

 

Just curious: What is the frequency/incidence of issues with the bed spreading if not using a shell or other top-mounted equipment systems? Our Tundra won't have anything mounted to the top, other than a tonneau cover. I have no issue installing a bed stiffener, but would it really be necessary in my case?

 

You should be fine. Unless your significantly loading the rails, or frequently in off camber situations / high speed, long duration off road, it is not likely you’ll see any sort of issues.

it certainly happens. Just not under typical use cases.