Removing plastic bed rail cover?

Any tips on how to remove the plastic cover on the sides of the bed rail? It’s the plastic cover that a shell would sit on. Thanks

 

Howdy Kevin!

When my ‘18 had about 3000 miles on it, I found someone had gouged it BAD in a parking lot- a deep dent in the side of the bed and the paint was scratched down to the metal.

I was not ready to live with such a ding on such a new vehicle , so I went through the whole process with insurance and got it fixed. (Sorry for the sob story- I am getting to the point)

I took the truck to 2 great shops in town for repair bids.

Both included in their quotes replacing the plastic bed trim, and both stated that removing them destroys the tabs that hold them to the bed rails 90+% of the time. The shop that got the job shared with me during inspection that they did have to replace the cap because it broke when they tried to ease it off.

So, as far as I know, there is no non-destructive way to remove those caps. You’d likely pry them off with a trim tool, but be ready to order a replacement. I believe they are around $110, if memory serves.

 

Thanks. I was hoping it could be replaced. The previous owner drilled holes for a ladder rack. I want to fill them and the holes in the steel before I install a shell to prevent water intrusion. Thanks again and I may end up filling them with something since you will never see the holes once the shell is on

 

The plastic caps come off really easy. Start at the end of the cap closest to the cab and pull up on them. I did not take my time or anything, just pulled up from one end to the other. No tools. It took me under a minute to pull both sides.

 

Did any of the clips or plastic pieces holding it to the bed break off?

 

Not a single one. I had a Tacoma that I pulled the rails off of about a 2 years ago and no broken tabs there either.

 

Took them off my first gen double cab. Easy to remove, and some tabs broke, but they did snap back on (obviously the areas with the broken tabs were a little loose). However with the weight of a shell on there too I think you’d be fine.

 

Bingo. I have taken mine off a few times. Easy peasy. Do exactly like this poster wrote. I did it to put clear protection film under them (you can find posts where those caps rub through the paint if you mount a tool box or have a camper shell on because the weight and the fact that the caps are just sitting on the paint causes a rub). No broken tabs either--that must be a 1st gen thing.

 

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if you break em theres aftermarket ones on Amazon that are great quality and cheap.

 

Actually, I don't see any on Amazon that fit the Tundra. Or any online at all for that matter.

 

I'm pretty sure that you can squeeze the clips from the underside of the bed rails to remove them.