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Interior & ExteriorDiscussions about the interior, and exterior of your vehicle.
This is a discussion thread titled "TACOMA:05 composite bed question/comment", within the Interior & Exterior forum, part of the Technical & Vehicle Assistance Forums category.
why did this become such a big deal with the release of the 05 tacoma? Ford has been using it all along with their sport trac. Or do people not consider the sport trac a "real work truck"?
__________________ Jason
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Well, to start, ya' GOTTA' be very careful when talking about these beds. It can QUICKLY start a firestorm and a thread war. You started off on the right foot, by "not" calling it a "plastic" bed, which is a VERY good thing. Jus' thought I'd offer that heads-up to ya'... .
But seriously though, IMPO, I don't consider the Ford Sport trac "a real work truck"... actually not even close. Hope I didn't offended anyone with that comment, but let's look at that logically. The bed is BARELY 4 foot in length, if it's even that much. You add a toolbox to that equation and you might as well consider the ENTIRE bed "useless"... period. Having said that, I don't think anyone has even come close to "loading" a Sport trac bed, with nearly as much (i.e. weight) as folks have, with the new '05 Tacoma. Fact is, it CAN'T hold as much to begin with!
That said, the reason this has become such as hot issue, TS.com has had two members who've had some..."problems"... with their beds. In both cases, the bed cracked, leaving a VERY ugly split in the bed walls. Come to think of it, in both cases, it's been the bed "walls", which have shown damage and NOT the bed floor. Now that DOES NOT MEAN these bed are "bad". On the contrary... Toyota took a step into the future with using a "composite bed" in a "REAL TRUCK", and almost anytime you take that big of a step into the future, there will probably be "growing pains" along the way. And so far, Toyota has been "willing" to counter any problems, which is definitely a good thing!
In the long run... It's all good!
__________________ 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!)
Gents (and Ladies)... this IS NOT an open invitation to start up another gutter war over this SMC vs. STEEL bed thing. The way I read this, Jason (slamdtaco) is simply asking "why" this seems to be an issue, when the technology has been around for quite a while.
That said, I respectfully ask that you respect this thread, for "what" it is and to please refrain from slamming each other, over your personal opinion, regarding this issue!
Many thanks,
Dave
Tacoma Forum Moderator
__________________ 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!)
Well, to start, ya' GOTTA' be very careful when talking about these beds. It can QUICKLY start a firestorm and a thread war. You started off on the right foot, by "not" calling it a "plastic" bed, which is a VERY good thing. Jus' thought I'd offer that heads-up to ya'... .
But seriously though, IMPO, I don't consider the Ford Sport trac "a real work truck"... actually not even close. Hope I didn't offended anyone with that comment, but let's look at that logically. The bed is BARELY 4 foot in length, if it's even that much. You add a toolbox to that equation and you might as well consider the ENTIRE bed "useless"... period. Having said that, I don't think anyone has even come close to "loading" a Sport trac bed, with nearly as much (i.e. weight) as folks have, with the new '05 Tacoma. Fact is, it CAN'T hold as much to begin with!
That said, the reason this has become such as hot issue, TS.com has had two members who've had some..."problems"... with their beds. In both cases, the bed cracked, leaving a VERY ugly split in the bed walls. Come to think of it, in both cases, it's been the bed "walls", which have shown damage and NOT the bed floor. Now that DOES NOT MEAN these bed are "bad". On the contrary... Toyota took a step into the future with using a "composite bed" in a "REAL TRUCK", and almost anytime you take that big of a step into the future, there will probably be "growing pains" along the way. And so far, Toyota has been "willing" to counter any problems, which is definitely a good thing!
In the long run... It's all good!
Couldn't have said it better my self. And thank you for respecting the SMC beds.
The other interesting thing is that both of the two known beds split on the back wall. I looked behind the back wall of the bed and the rail system has no backing plate at all. It's just the rail bolted directly to the composite bed. I was think that Toyota could just release a steel backing plate that runs the width of the truck and bolt the bed rail to this (that is if this really does become an issue). This would most likely increase the strength of the back wall.
I'll throw this in just for fun. I've been surfing the RV.NET open road forums since I own a travel trailer which will be towed with my Tacoma. The question came up about SMC beds and the user of truck campers (the slide in type that sit in the beds). One poster found a company that manufactures these in a "lite weight" version and is currently testing them with the 05 Tacoma doing real world tests with some of their customers. They did mention that they have to use a different type of strap down due to the front of the bed however the issue is not unique to the SMC style bed and is more to do with strap down points. If I can find the link again I'll post it.
__________________
----------------
Tacoma V6 Auto 4x4 Double Cab 128" Delivered 4/23/05
White
TRD Off-Road Package #2 (OG)
Vehicle Stability Control w/Downhill Assist (VE)
Side Curtain Airbag (GY)
Daytime Running Lights (DL)
TRD CAT Back Exhaust, Bed Mat, Husky Floor Mats, Wildcat Flash Nerf Bars, Prodigy Brake Controller, In Dash cell phone mount, Cargo Bars w/Thule Ski & Bike Attachments, Toyo Open Country A/T Tires (Stock Size)
I work in the plastics industry and I know for a fact that engineered plastics can outperform steel anyday. The people who complain are generally misinformed. I love the bed and have no problems with it. My truck's bed was subjected to many cold days and nights in Canada. In fact, how about -30 Celsius with no wind chill? The bed never cracked or gave me any problems. To me, comparing the composite bed to the old school steel bed is like comparing Formula 1 car chasis to NASCAR chasis, carbon fiber vs. cold rolled sheet metal? yeah, ok!
I work in the plastics industry and I know for a fact that engineered plastics can outperform steel anyday. The people who complain are generally misinformed. I love the bed and have no problems with it. My truck's bed was subjected to many cold days and nights in Canada. In fact, how about -30 Celsius with no wind chill? The bed never cracked or gave me any problems. To me, comparing the composite bed to the old school steel bed is like comparing Formula 1 car chasis to NASCAR chasis, carbon fiber vs. cold rolled sheet metal? yeah, ok!
MK
Did you by any chance, happen to read this...
Quote:
Originally Posted by TundrastruckDave
Gents (and Ladies)... this IS NOT an open invitation to start up another gutter war over this SMC vs. STEEL bed thing. The way I read this, Jason (slamdtaco) is simply asking "why" this seems to be an issue, when the technology has been around for quite a while.
That said, I respectfully ask that you respect this thread, for "what" it is and to please refrain from slamming each other, over your personal opinion, regarding this issue!
Many thanks,
Dave
Tacoma Forum Moderator
Fact is, this ISN'T about "comparing" composite beds to steel beds. It's just a simple question as to "why" it seems to be an issue, when the technology has been around for quite a while.
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!)
Back to the original topic, I have to agree with the poster who said that it's an issue now because the Tacoma is the first real "truck" to have the composite bed. It's not an SUV that happens to have a little bed designed to carry small loads. It's a truck, and people are counting on a truck bed to tie down heavy and expensive equipment like ATV's, motorcycles, etc. They also want to be able to use a truck like a truck and not have to worry about whether or not their load will crack the bed, their equipment will come loose and fly off of the truck, how they're going to manage to put a ladder rack on it, etc. The Tacoma's been out in the real world for only about 7 months, so the bed really hasn't proven itself yet, and the two reports of cracked beds naturally make people concerned. The majority of people who buy trucks do so for sport, and rarely use their beds, so it's a non-issue for them, but for those who buy a truck for work or for transporting equipment like ATV's, I think their concerns are justified.
Another poster suggested that maybe Toyota could run a steel band behind the rear of the bed to anchor the rail. Good idea, but there'd be nothing to anchor the steel band to except the thin sheet metal of the bed exterior.
Another poster suggested that maybe Toyota could run a steel band behind the rear of the bed to anchor the rail. Good idea, but there'd be nothing to anchor the steel band to except the thin sheet metal of the bed exterior.
I think the poster ment for the band to act more like a backing plate. A big washer if you will. Kind of like how the front D-Ring tie downs mount.
I think the poster ment for the band to act more like a backing plate. A big washer if you will. Kind of like how the front D-Ring tie downs mount.
That was exactly my point. Plus it would give the back of the bed more rigidity. If you look at the sides, they are bolted to the out skins, yes they are just a skin, but this has got to improve the structure of the sides. I am actually planning on buying a 1/4" x 1" aluminum bar stock. Have it drilled in the right places, tap it, then screw the rail into it (placing it behind the bed). Again providing more structure and act like a large washer. This will spread the load of the cleats over more of the surface area vs. a particular point.
EDIT: P.S. Thank you for keeping this post civil..
That was exactly my point. Plus it would give the back of the bed more rigidity. If you look at the sides, they are bolted to the out skins, yes they are just a skin, but this has got to improve the structure of the sides. I am actually planning on buying a 1/4" x 1" aluminum bar stock. Have it drilled in the right places, tap it, then screw the rail into it (placing it behind the bed). Again providing more structure and act like a large washer. This will spread the load of the cleats over more of the surface area vs. a particular point.
EDIT: P.S. Thank you for keeping this post civil..
You should check with the dealer. I wouldn't be surprised if altering the bed in any way will void the warranty, and if the bed does crack, Toyota won't cover it.
05 composite bed question/comment
Jus' thought I'd offer that heads-up to ya'... 
Having said that, I don't think anyone has even come close to "loading" a Sport trac bed, with nearly as much (i.e. weight) as folks have, with the new '05 Tacoma. Fact is, it CAN'T hold as much to begin with! 
There have definately been enough of those threads already.
