Pickup bed features

[doublethebass]

I've got a Tacoma 5ft bed, and the few times I've needed more than 5ft, I just put the tailgate down and get the ratchet straps out.

The Tacoma has lots of tie down points, like the deck rail system similar to the Nissan Frontier's and a few D-rings on the bed floor. It'd be nice to see the same utility built into the Gladiator.

If they really want to get creative, they could copy the Honda Ridgeline's tailgate and have it swing down AND open like a door. A friend of mine has one, and until I used it myself, I thought it was more of a gimmick than anything else. Turns out it's actually a really handy feature. I'll bet Honda has that locked up in patents or something though.

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[wooderson]

I do like the dual use tailgate.
I don't think they have a patent as it's but done before with other cars.

 

[dano0726]

Will the tailgate lock?

Count me as a long-ago victim of Tailgate Theft (from my driveway)...

 

[Gladiator4Runner]

Will the tailgate lock?

Count me as a long-ago victim of Tailgate Theft (from my driveway)...

I'm certain that it would lock- it's included in the Canyon/Colorado and I believe the Ridgeline so they would be missing out if not.
This is also on my wishlist of details I want/need.

When you guys say composite bed, does that mean a composite spray liner?

 

[Snider1970]

When you guys say composite bed, does that mean a composite spray liner?

I believe they would follow the AEV beds which was built in conjunction with Jeep engineers to meet production standards. The reason AEV went that direction was to keep the truck light and not add extra wear to the driveline/suspension a extended the longevity of the vehicle.

 

[JCC]

The two main features I'll be looking for (and will be shocked if they aren't offered almost immediately by both Mopar and the aftermarket):

1. A hard fold up/down cover that is secure when the tailgate is locked. Like:

2. A utility rack, for mounting overlanding/camping gear, skis/snowboards, fishing poles, etc., like:

I prefer a 5' foot bed because it'll fit in my garage and will be plenty capable given my intended uses (esp. w/ a bed extender), namely hauling the above mentioned gear, 8' lumber for woodworking projects, and various home reno supplies from the big box stores.

Question on the bed though, I'm not very familiar with composite beds, what are they constructed of exactly? Do they negate the need for a liner?

 

[MuhThugga]

I'm sure the aftermarket will provide plenty of tonneau covers. Personally, I think folding covers suck since they still take up a 1/3 of the bed when folded. I prefer roll-up covers.

 

[doublethebass]

I'm sure the aftermarket will provide plenty of tonneau covers. Personally, I think folding covers suck since they still take up a 1/3 of the bed when folded. I prefer roll-up covers.

Exactly the reason I didn't get a tri-fold for my Tacoma. Ended up with the Bak Revolver X2. All the benefits of a hard tonneau but the convenience of a soft tonneau.

 

[Vegas_Sirk]

I just installed on of the hard folding ones by Bak on my Step Dads Silverado 2500. Took me less then 30 mins and a great product.

With that said I too prefer the rolling ones. My Dad has a rolling one on his F350 but unlike the BAK one above it rolls straight back into a containment box, so nothing is up by the rear window, which I like better.

What I really hope is that someone comes up with a Bed Rack that also works with a hard tonneau. As I would love to be able to close up the bed but also store stuff above the bed.

 

[rodhotter]

as long as i can haul a half ton of coal or whatever i am good!!! the looks + soft top on a 2 door + a decent price is my interests, otherwise i have been looking at preowned nissan king cab's only because theres no reg cab with 4 WD + the V-6 with decent power with a manual tranny.

 

[Gladiator4Runner]

I posted this in another sticky but it also belongs here. This might be something for the JT down the road.

I recall there was a Ford Wagoneer or something like that a billion years ago that had something along these lines.

http://www.autonews.com/article/201...al-function-tailgate-on-ram-spy-photos-reveal

 

[wooderson]

I posted this in another sticky but it also belongs here. This might be something for the JT down the road.

I recall there was a Ford Wagoneer or something like that a billion years ago that had something along these lines.

http://www.autonews.com/article/201...al-function-tailgate-on-ram-spy-photos-reveal

Not a fan. Why not just have it open the like the Ridgeline. That way you don't have that ugly line down the tailgate.

 

[Billy]

Not a fan. Why not just have it open the like the Ridgeline. That way you don't have that ugly line down the tailgate.

It doesn't line up either. Makes the Ram rear end look like A$$.

 

[Produkshun]

I really like the Rambox bed containers built in to the Ram trucks. I think that would be a really cool feature.

Cool idea, but I really want the JT to pull an Airstream 20, 22, or 23 FB, so a behind the cab genbox for a 3500w generator would be my dream accessory. Then a locking tonneau for the rest of the bed. Guess I’ll have to look for a custom shop.

 

[drogers]

I really like the Rambox bed containers built in to the Ram trucks. I think that would be a really cool feature.

I like the idea of a rambox type of thing, but I've been thinking about this lately, and with as tall as bed sides are these days (not to mention after the 4" lift is on), I'd practically need to get in the truck bed to use the thing... If I were designing my dream, it would have 2 drawers on each side about 6" tall that could slide out full length, a step up near the cab, tie down rails in the floor, and a soft-open tailgate with an integrated bed extender (an idea i've thought about patenting several times).

Nobody's gonna build that for me, so I'll just take whatever Jeep decides to build and drop a decked drawer set in it.

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