I’m really considering a flatbed for my second-gen Tacoma again. Any thoughts on that? I currently have an access cab, but I’m thinking about going with an 84-inch flatbed. I was looking into getting a GFC, but my bed is starting to split. I really love my truck and want to keep it for a while. I added some bed stiffeners, but they don’t seem to have helped much. I don’t want to spend around 10k (I’m Canadian) on a camper for a bed that might not handle the wear and tear.
If I do go with a flatbed, I’d either get a rooftop tent or make a small camper to sit on top of it. Since my Tacoma isn’t my daily driver anymore, I’m more excited to modify it and take it off-roading a bit harder. What do you think?
Sorry if this sounds a bit condescending, I just want to clarify. Tacoma beds, and I think Tundras too, can have issues with the bed walls separating over time because of the composite material used. You can easily check this by looking at the tailgate. If everything is fine, the sides should be parallel. But if it’s starting to split, you’ll see a V-shaped gap and some cracks in the composite. If you don’t haul much or have a topper (which is what I have, and it’s causing mine to split), you might not face any issues. That’s why people add bed stiffeners to help prevent this. There’s a thread on Tacoma World showing an example if you’re interested. Feel free to ask if you have more questions or want to check out the forum, there’s a ton of helpful info and people there.
Not condescending at all, I had no idea this was a problem. I checked mine and thankfully don’t see any signs of it, but it’s good to know so I can keep an eye out. Thanks for the info!
No worries, man! I’m glad I could help. Adding bed stiffeners is a smart move, and they don’t really get in the way. Just because it looks fine now doesn’t mean it won’t be an issue down the line, haha.
I’ve had a Norweld flatbed on my third-gen Tacoma for almost six years and I love it. I got it to run a Flatbed Four Wheel Camper, but I really use the bed for work too. Back then, Norweld was pretty much the only option in the States, but now there are so many cool flatbeds being made. I can’t see myself going back to a regular bed, the utility is just unbeatable. Just keep in mind there’s not much aftermarket support, so any modifications will need to be custom-made.
I had a flatbed on a half-ton truck, and here are a couple of things to consider: your cargo will sit higher, meaning you’ll have to lift it higher to load it. This can raise your center of gravity. Even aluminum beds can weigh more than the factory one, so be careful about weight and GVW. With the bigger cargo area, it’s easy to overload. You might also see a drop in MPG.
That said, the drop sides are super convenient, and I think they look amazing. Plus, you have fewer body panels to worry about getting scratched or dinged.
