Bed Stiffners on a 4th gen

[JakeJoeBob]

I just checked. These stiffners use the same location and bolts as the Extang Solid Fold ALX tonneau. They might work together with longer bolts.

Anyway, folks that want bed stiffners and have a tonneau cover, they need to consider compatibility.

Thanks again for the pics @JakeJoeBob

No problem, nothing special about the bolts. I think you could make something work with a trip to the hardware store.

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[slater]

So heres my thoughts & mind f'ing myself & cant decide which bed stiffeners to go with....

The UpTops
Theyre asking a small fortune compared to other options,
They think theyre NY Top which will never get any of my money...
but like the idea of stainless outside piece where tie down clips so they wont chip the powder coat but still may scratch...
Seen a post here of their powered coat failing & metal starting to rust on a bedrack...
like the jagged look though / cut-outs

The MCX "Miller Cat"
Like the 1 piece construction.
Hate the U Chanel cut-out as they felt it was needed to added the back spacer for the top bolts, which it is not needed at all.
Think it would look so much cleaner if the top U channel cut-out wasnt there for the top bolts.
Theyre mass produced so making one without for me isnt an option. I asked...
Theyre the only brand using the back spacer for the countersunk factory top bolt area. No idea if that good or bad....
Also like the jagged cut out design & 1 piece construction

Trumgeta & some other copycats
I kinda like the appearance of the 2 piece Allen bolt assembly, visually but its more of a non fancy straight design compared to the jagged cut-out look.
Will 2 piece be as strong as 1 piece....
Assuming it would be, then again im not doing anything crazy where I need the strength. More of a want....
Pretty much same as Timothys mindset, why not...
Kinda cool that Trumgeta design has top hole drilled in it for a flag holder, could be used to mount ditch lights, but I probably wouldnt use the mount for either....
All the accessories that come with Trumgeta isnt a deciding factor for me....

Lets give this thread a bump, give me a brain massage...
What are you running & are you content?
Give me some thoughts on the points I made, share your feedback that may push me a direction, maybe im overlooking something.....

Yes, I know, overthinking....

 

[Romer]

I liked the Utop because it ties down in a no drill fashion, but also provides 3 holes if you want to add extra bolts. I added one. I also looked the sperate peice that scews on. Thinking this provides really good support. It also worked with my OEM cover

It was a bit more expensive, but only buying once.

 

[px3_taco]

I ordered the MCXs. They arrived bent and they blamed me. I had to call them out on instagram to get them to send a replacement, which was also bent. I don’t recommend. The person that responds to emails is also an absolute ass.

 

[slater]

I ordered the MCXs. They arrived bent and they blamed me. I had to call them out on instagram to get them to send a replacement, which was also bent. I don’t recommend. The person that responds to emails is also an absolute ass.

They promptly answered my few questions via email.
They look ok,
I know if over thinking it but the U cut-out at the top to accommodate the top bolts & spacers drive me nuts..
Think thats a deal breaker for me.
But theyre the only ones using the spacer vs allowing someone to over tighten the top bolts & concaving the area.
The cut out just seems like a step backwards in strength & visual appeal.
Anyone can start the bolts & spacers without the cut-out.

 

[Romer]

But theyre the only ones using the spacer vs allowing someone to over tighten the top bolts & concaving the area.

The Utop ones have a spacer

 

[slater]

The Utop ones have a spacer

Good info!
Didnt appear to from glancing the pics.
That solidifys my mindset that the U channel cutout on the Millers are dumb.....
Still dont love the UTop price point but theyre kind of in the lead...

 

[Romer]

R4T doesn't sell these (Utop) anymore, but the install is the same. You can see the spacers as he walks through it

 

[slater]

Yeah...
I already also reached out to R4T so see when theyre coming out with another run & couldnt really get a solid response....
Looks like R4T is going a different direction than identical to the Uptop, im guessing...
Similar but maybe slight variation?

I can care less if mine are r4t or utop, either or is fine...

"We don't have a date as it's still in development, the original ones had our logo with uptop as the manufacturer, we are just developing a V2 now. I wish we had more information as to when those will be out and the price and all that."
"We don't have a price in mind yet as we aren't sure how much it will be to produce or how the final product will be, they should be fairly similar though."

 

[izzy]

Is there any proof 4Gs actually need bed stiffeners?

I should have tried to open the tailgate when I had the rear end flexed out to the bumpstops... I bet it would have opened though...

The box frame on these is so stiff I can't help but imagine bed stiffeners are mostly dress up.

 

[EatMyTaco]

Is there any proof 4Gs actually need bed stiffeners?

I should have tried to open the tailgate when I had the rear end flexed out to the bumpstops... I bet it would have opened though...

The box frame on these is so stiff I can't help but imagine bed stiffeners are mostly dress up.

I don’t want to be the one who finds it the sucky way. Put cali raised stiffeners on mine in prep for an Ovs topper.

if I wasn’t putting the topper, I wouldn’t have worried about stiffeners.

 

[Toyotimothy]

I don’t want to be the one who finds it the sucky way. Put cali raised stiffeners on mine in prep for an Ovs topper.

if I wasn’t putting the topper, I wouldn’t have worried about stiffeners.

I feel the same way. I might do a bed cap in the future. Who knows. I sure don’t want it to snap crackle pop. lol I just wanted any possibilities covered. Rather have it and not need it…

 

[TrailAdventurer]

In the FWIW column, I chose to go with Westcott Designs' stiffeners. They struck me as having a bit more heft, spreading load with more attach points. While I would also have preferred no drilling, I took note of the substantial backing plates they use. If they had not had robust backing plates, preventing pull-through or other distortions, I wouldn't have used them.

It's been a month. They look nice. About all I can say. Check w/me in a year.

It’s been almost a year, and we’ll finally be adding a cap and related accessories to the bed soon. I live in a “salt” state, and I haven’t seen any corrosion on mine.

They’ve been useful several times as extra tie-down points for straps and bungee cords. Even just for the added tie-down options, they’re worth having. I wouldn’t recommend putting a 1,000-pound dynamic load on one, but for securing Home Depot purchases or items from a weekly trip to the farmers market, they work well.

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