I just purchased an 05 Pre-runner Tacoma. One of the main reasons that I bought this truck other than it being a Toyota was the composite bed. Well I found out that when you haul stuff in the bed and the stuff slides around it really scratches up the bed. You would think that since the bed is black plastic a few scratches would not be a big deal. Well what I have on my truck now is a black bed with white scratches all over the bottom. This is really ugly looking. It seems that the top layer is really thin and the slightest thing will cause the bed to get scratched. I know this is a pickup and it is meant to haul things, but when you watch the missleading commercials with the dirt bike peeling out in the bed and people throwing bolders in the back of the bed. What they do not show you is what the bed will look like after these stunts. Dont get me wrong, I really like this truck and so far it has been great, but this bed thing is kinda annoying since this would not be an issue with a spray in or plastic bed liner.
I don't use mine too much to haul loads in but I have the rubber mat in mine and this helps to protect the bed and also prevent some of the shifting of the load.
__________________
05 Tacoma DC Long Bed
TRD Prerunner Sport SR5
V6 Auto
Uh, oh... here we go AGAIN! Sorry Tim, just a little joke there.
Fact is though, you're not the first with '05 bed problems. BUT I WILL WARN YA'! It's a rather "touchy" subject with a lot of new '05 Tacoma owners. Do a search and you'll find that another TS.com member not only had the "scratches" which you're referring to, but he also "cracked" his bed! Please don't let this "cracked" thing alarm you though, as it seems to have been an isolated [one time] incident... to date anyway.
What I think we all would like to see, are a couple of photos of these "scratches", if you can.
ADDED NOTE TO ALL.
PLEASE guys, let's not "rehash" this SMC Vs. STEEL issue... AGAIN! Tim has a question, with his own "personal" opinion... period. Let's stick to that issue and NOT continue beating this "death horse" any longer. Most of us who frequent this Forum "know" the SMC Vs. STEEL issue, without having to bring it up in EVERY thread that's started, regarding this new bed. for understanding guys.
Dave (Tacoma Forum Moderator)
Edit: For those who've already posted prior to this post... for being civil.
__________________ 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!)
Last edited by atrdnut; 01-19-2005 at 01:28 PM.
Reason: made the NOTE a bit more read-able for the nay-sayers...
Along the same subject... and forgive my ignorance, but...
Has anyone had their composite bed "lined"? Mostly I'm wondering about the spray-in bedliner (Line-X, etc.). Has anyone asked if this is do-able? It could very well prolong the bed's life, even if it is a composite material bed. Just curious.... Not tyring to hi-jack, just a simple question.
I have not sprayed a composite bed. But, I've been promised a piece when the first wrecked 2005 Tacoma shows up at my local Toyota dealer.
I bet those scratches will disappear if you put some kind of dressing on it like Armorall, 303 Aerospace, Just Once, Son of a Gun, etc. Better not use a product that oil or silicone based or it might make the plastic liner too slippery.
Better not use a product that is oil or silicone based or it might make the plastic liner too slippery.
Hmmm... I also wonder, if using a product that is oil or silicone based, would "react" adversely to this new bed material?! Just wondering, if it would cause the material properties to become "brittle" in any way?!
Just food for thought...
__________________ 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 have not sprayed a composite bed. But, I've been promised a piece when the first wrecked 2005 Tacoma shows up at my local Toyota dealer.
I bet those scratches will disappear if you put some kind of dressing on it like Armorall, 303 Aerospace, Just Once, Son of a Gun, etc. Better not use a product that oil or silicone based or it might make the plastic liner too slippery.
Boy, too bad you aren't here in AZ. The first '05 Tacoma I saw on the road was a bent up one. The entire left side was all dented up, including the side of the bed. It was still driveable though.
Scratched bed
Please don't let this "cracked" thing alarm you though, as it seems to have been an isolated [one time] incident... to date anyway.
for understanding guys.
Linear Mode
