I took my 05 Double Cab 4x4 Long Bed out 4x4'ing this weekend in and around Death Valley. We went on some pretty rough washboard roads and did some boulder crawling up some washes. I have done much worse with my old truck - a 2002 Tacoma 4x4 ext. cab. I also had the same shell that was mounted on my old truck on the new truck.
When I got home and removed the shell (as I always do so I can drive the truck to work), I noticed a huge crack on the driver side of the bed. The crack goes all the way through the bed. Pictures are attached.
Needless to say I am very pissed off that one 4x4 trip cracked the bed. I would have thought Toyota would have tested this material thouroughly before selling them to the public. I hope this will be easy to warranty.
The shell is a fiberglass flip top camper made by Flip-Pac (www.flippac.com) and it weighs about 250 lbs.
The owner's manual has no warnings or special information about mounting campers to the bed. But that doesn't mean that Toyota won't blame my problem on the camper shell.
I took my 05 Double Cab 4x4 Long Bed out 4x4'ing this weekend in and around Death Valley. We went on some pretty rough washboard roads and did some boulder crawling up some washes. I have done much worse with my old truck - a 2002 Tacoma 4x4 ext. cab. I also had the same shell that was mounted on my old truck on the new truck.
When I got home and removed the shell (as I always do so I can drive the truck to work), I noticed a huge crack on the driver side of the bed. The crack goes all the way through the bed. Pictures are attached.
Needless to say I am very pissed off that one 4x4 trip cracked the bed. I would have thought Toyota would have tested this material thouroughly before selling them to the public. I hope this will be easy to warranty.
Anyone want to buy a slightly used 05 Tacoma?
-Chris
Wow intresting tread and the dealership was saying that the tundra would have this and say bye bye to line x after seeing these pictures they can kept it..
I "KNEW" this new bed wasn't ALL the dealers are playing it up to be! We had a dealer bring a new Taco to a local meet here in North Carolina, not long ago... as he was "raving" about how... "this bed can't be dented, like the ones on the Tundras and other trucks." The FIRST thought that went through my mind... and others at the meet... was... Yeah... well O.K., but I'll bet it can be "cracked" though! Well... you've just proven it "CAN BE"! Something tells me... this new bed design... was Toyota's try... at "cornering" a certain market share... of truck buyers... who won't buy a truck... unless the bed is sprayed with a "spray-in" bedliner! Since the dealer has to source that job out... it's a cost to them, as well as... to the buyer. With this new bed though... no cost is incured by the dealer or the buyer, which... in point of fact... "is" somewhat appealing. Also being able to make the "claim" the bed won't dent... I'm "assuming"... this is "why"... they "THINK" this will "corner" a certain market share! You've just proven... IT WON'T Chris!
I'D BE PISSED TOO!! If you can't even go "4Wheeling"... I can only imagine how "little" cargo weight this "new bed" can take before it too... would crack! I'd be willing to bet... the sharp corner of a heavy cement block... accidently dropped in the bed... could "possibly" crack it as well!
If I were you... I'd be a the dealership... ASAP! I'm willing to bet... it's not a... "repairable fix"! The entire panel... next to the cab... will... "more than likely" have to be replaced... "IF"... even a panel can be replaced!!! Matter of fact... I'm not even sure I'd "tell" the dealer that you had a camper shell attached when it happened! If there's nothing in the owner's manual about a... "warning"... in using a camper shell... even if you "do" decide to tell them... you stilll have a leg to stand on! But keep in mind... the dealer's "DEFINATELY"... gonna' question... "how" this happened. So... have "your ducks in a row"! Be prepared for all the "cruves" they're sure to throw at ya'! But... BE RESOLVED... and... DON'T LET THEM INTIMEDATE YOU!
Keep us informed as to what happens! I think we'd ALL... VERY MUCH be interested... to know how this turns out for you!
Best of luck!
Dave
__________________ 2004 SR5 Double Cab 4x4 w/TRD Pkg. Mods to Date:
16" 5 Spoke Brawn Enkei Wheels, Keyless Entry, Line-X Bed Liner, Challenger Running Boards, Husky Floor Liners, Bug Flector II (painted to match), Colegan Bra, Borla Dual (Side-Exit) Exhaust System, 2" Wheeler's Coil Lift, TRD Add-A-Leafs Mods to Come:
265/75/16 BFG A/T's, Possible Mods:
Seat Covers, 3M Clear Bra (hopefully... just cost so friggin' much!)
I "KNEW" this new bed wasn't ALL the dealers are playing it up to be! We had a dealer bring a new Taco to a local meet here in North Carolina, not long ago... as he was "raving" about how... "this bed can't be dented, like the ones on the Tundras and other trucks." The FIRST thought that went through my mind... and others at the meet... was... Yeah... well O.K., but I'll bet it can be "cracked" though! Well... you've just proven it "CAN BE"! Something tells me... this new bed design... was Toyota's try... at "cornering" a certain market share... of truck buyers... who won't buy a truck... unless the bed is sprayed with a "spray-in" bedliner! Since the dealer has to source that job out... it's a cost to them, as well as... to the buyer. With this new bed though... no cost is incured by the dealer or the buyer, which... in point of fact... "is" somewhat appealing. Also being able to make the "claim" the bed won't dent... I'm "assuming"... this is "why"... they "THINK" this will "corner" a certain market share! You've just proven... IT WON'T Chris!
I'D BE PISSED TOO!! If you can't even go "4Wheeling"... I can only imagine how "little" cargo weight this "new bed" can take before it too... would crack! I'd be willing to bet... the sharp corner of a heavy cement block... accidently dropped in the bed... could "possibly" crack it as well!
If I were you... I'd be a the dealership... ASAP! I'm willing to bet... it's not a... "repairable fix"! The entire panel... next to the cab... will... "more than likely" have to be replaced... "IF"... even a panel can be replaced!!! Matter of fact... I'm not even sure I'd "tell" the dealer that you had a camper shell attached when it happened! If there's nothing in the owner's manual about a... "warning"... in using a camper shell... even if you "do" decide to tell them... you stilll have a leg to stand on! But keep in mind... the dealer's "DEFINATELY"... gonna' question... "how" this happened. So... have "your ducks in a row"! Be prepared for all the "cruves" they're sure to throw at ya'! But... BE RESOLVED... and... DON'T LET THEM INTIMEDATE YOU!
Keep us informed as to what happens! I think we'd ALL... VERY MUCH be interested... to know how this turns out for you!
Best of luck!
Dave
yea the guy at the meet was bragging about this new design but after seeing these picture's would you buy one now? My advice is this i think it also cut's cost too.If this was my truck i would be heading to the dealership and make them fix it regardless of the type of use you put on your truck there should be no reason for there design flaw(Toyota will pay for this repair).
just out of curiosity, and NOT to take away from your cracking problem....but HOW did the truck do off road, otherwise? Was it pretty capable and alot more powerful than your previous Tacoma v6? Did the added TQ and HP help you get thru things easier? How did the new tranny and diff handle things?
You know what's even scarier. I've hauled dirt bikes in many toyota's and the front of the bed always bows where the front wheel of the bike is. If you cracked yours that easily, how easy would it be to crack when tying down motorcycles?! I'd hope your bed was a defect and they replace it, but......
/Mike
__________________
2001 2WD Silver Tundra: 4x4 TRD springs, Daystar 1", Carson AAL, red/blue Bilsteins, 265/75 Revo's, IS kit(minus bumper) and rims(hand polished), RF851X amp, Alpine HU, JL 6.5"XR comps, Qlogic with JL 8W3V2 subs. 185k miles and counting......
2005 Silver Sienna LE with 12" Overhead DVD
Sorry to hear about your bed. I would get conformation from Toyota on drilling the bed after delivery for possible cracks being induced, acceptable weight on bed rails, etc. There has got to be some Tech info somewhere on this. What happened to you is unacceptable for any pickup truck especially one as expensive as the 05 Tacoma. I choose not to get the 05 and settled on an 04 TRD with the 3.4. Xtra cab. Other than a few dash rattles this truck is outstanding off the road and perhaps the toughest truck I have ever had. Good luck, we are all watching this thing unfold.
I agree. I'm watching this unfold, but reserving judgement for now.
This COULD be a fundamental flaw in the product itself, or in this 1 bed.
It COULD be Toyota being cheap skates, or a legitimate attempt to innovate.
It COULD be as simple as Toyota failing to account for expansion and contraction forces on a new composite in extreem temps.
I know Dodge caravan had a problem with rear windows (glass) shattering in very hot weather. My understanding this was a combination of a very tightly sealed vehichle (no room for hot gasses to expand) and a piece of plastic that expanded and put preassure on a specific part of the window.
This could be as simple as slotting screw holes or something to allow for more expansion and contraction.
This definately raises some questions about the product, but I'm not going to let it bug me quite yet. Will be interesting to see how Toyota responds, and if this ends up being a widespread problem.
I still have my Rhino Lined 97 Taco, but looking at upgrading. I do carry jagged boulders in my truck from time to time for walls, ponds, rivers, etc. My bed is pretty bent, but that is to be expected. I wouldn't want to see this new material crack with some 300lb rocks rolling around in there.
just out of curiosity, and NOT to take away from your cracking problem....but HOW did the truck do off road, otherwise? Was it pretty capable and alot more powerful than your previous Tacoma v6? Did the added TQ and HP help you get thru things easier? How did the new tranny and diff handle things?
Well... I have a mixed response to this question. Power wise, the new V6 is WAY better than the 3.4L I came from. And the 5-speed automatic wasn't as bad as I had feared (my old truck had a 5 speed manual), although I did find myself switching between 4-Low and 4-High to find the right gear when going downhill sometimes. And the ride is clearly superior to the old truck as well, though that is probably largely due to the longer wheelbase.
My only complaint is the lack of sufficient ground clearance. I was banging into rocks that I never looked twice at in my '02. I think the low hanging exhaust pipe took the brunt of the hits but I haven't looked yet. And the approach angle is a LOT lower, so I nearly smashed my front bumper when I wasn't paying enough attention.
So long story short, I think this will be superior to my 2002 Taco, at least for my needs, once I lift it 3-4" to solve the ground clearance issues.
I took my 05 Double Cab 4x4 Long Bed out 4x4'ing this weekend in and around Death Valley. We went on some pretty rough washboard roads and did some boulder crawling up some washes. I have done much worse with my old truck - a 2002 Tacoma 4x4 ext. cab. I also had the same shell that was mounted on my old truck on the new truck.
When I got home and removed the shell (as I always do so I can drive the truck to work), I noticed a huge crack on the driver side of the bed. The crack goes all the way through the bed. Pictures are attached.
Needless to say I am very pissed off that one 4x4 trip cracked the bed. I would have thought Toyota would have tested this material thouroughly before selling them to the public. I hope this will be easy to warranty.
Anyone want to buy a slightly used 05 Tacoma?
-Chris
So much for the credibility of the commercial! I guess the girl in the commercial will really be crying to see this! LOL
2005 Sienna LE 8 PAX, White, Full Curtain airbags, Tow prep package, VSC, Rear Disk brakes, rear audio, aftermarket entertainment center(will be bought soon)
I'm a proud Toyota Bigot!!!
Midwesterners checkout the midwest forum!Click here
Well... I have a mixed response to this question. Power wise, the new V6 is WAY better than the 3.4L I came from. And the 5-speed automatic wasn't as bad as I had feared (my old truck had a 5 speed manual), although I did find myself switching between 4-Low and 4-High to find the right gear when going downhill sometimes. And the ride is clearly superior to the old truck as well, though that is probably largely due to the longer wheelbase.
My only complaint is the lack of sufficient ground clearance. I was banging into rocks that I never looked twice at in my '02. I think the low hanging exhaust pipe took the brunt of the hits but I haven't looked yet. And the approach angle is a LOT lower, so I nearly smashed my front bumper when I wasn't paying enough attention.
So long story short, I think this will be superior to my 2002 Taco, at least for my needs, once I lift it 3-4" to solve the ground clearance issues.
-Chris
thanks for the response, Chris! I too came from an 2002 Taco TRD v6, and I am totally happy with my new truck. I also haul dirtbikes, streetbikes, etc. and was nearly about to drill holes in the bed floor for wheel chocks and additional mounting holes BEFORE and UNTIL I read about what happened to you.
We all anxiously await to see what Toyota does for you, and wish you the best of luck. Hopefully they will do the right thing
Cracked my 05 Tacoma composite bed...
We had a dealer bring a new Taco to a local meet here in North Carolina, not long ago... as he was "raving" about how... "this bed can't be dented, like the ones on the Tundras and other trucks." The FIRST thought that went through my mind... and others at the meet... was... Yeah... well O.K., but I'll bet it can be "cracked" though! 
Well... you've just proven it "CAN BE"! Something tells me... this new bed design... was Toyota's try... at "cornering" a certain market share... of truck buyers... who won't buy a truck... unless the bed is sprayed with a "spray-in" bedliner! Since the dealer has to source that job out... it's a cost to them, as well as... to the buyer. With this new bed though... no cost is incured by the dealer or the buyer, which... in point of fact... "is" somewhat appealing. Also being able to make the "claim" the bed won't dent... I'm "assuming"... this is "why"... they "THINK" this will "corner" a certain market share! You've just proven... IT WON'T Chris! 
I'd be willing to bet... the sharp corner of a heavy cement block... accidently dropped in the bed... could "possibly" crack it as well! 
But keep in mind... the dealer's "DEFINATELY"... gonna' question... "how" this happened. So... have "your ducks in a row"! 
Be prepared for all the "cruves" they're sure to throw at ya'! But... BE RESOLVED... and... DON'T LET THEM INTIMEDATE YOU!
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